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LYDGATE'S 

FALL  OF   PRINCES 


EDITED    BY 


HENRY  BERGEN 


PART  in. 

(Books  VL-IX.) 


The  Carnegie  Institution  of  Washington 
Washington,  1923 


I' I 


LYDGATE'S     FALL     OF     PRINCES 

PART  in. 

BOOKS  VI.-IX. 
THE  DAUNCE  OF  MACHABREE 


CONTENTS   OF   PART  III. 

Book  VI  ^7S-7Ti 

Book  VII 775-821 

Book  VIII 823-918 

Book  IX 918-1022 

Greneacre's  Envoy  on  Bochas 1023 

The  Daunce  of  Machabree 1025-1044 


ERRATA 

p.  733,  line  2172:     read  thassaut. 

P.  889,  line  2363:    for  epsecial  read  especial. 


>«, 


THE   FALL  OF   PRINCES 


BOOK  VI 


-/t) 


[|Here  Bochas  sittyng  in  his  studie  allone  writeth 
a  grete  processe,  how  Fortune  like  a  monstruous 
ymage  hauyng  an  hundred  handys  appered  vn 
to  him  and  spak  /  and  Bochas  vn  to  hir  makyng 
betwixt  hem  bothe  many  grete  argumentys  & 
resouns  of  Fortunys  chaunces.]]  ^ 

IN  his  studie  allone  as  Boch^j  stood,  [p.  298] 

His  penne  on  honde,  of  sodeyw  auenture 
To  remewbre  he  thouhte  it  ded  hym  good, 
How  \)at  no  man  may  hymsilfF  assure  4 

In  worldli  thynges  fulli  to  recure 
Grace  of  Fortune,  to  make  hir  to  be  stable, 
Hir  dayli  chauwgis  been  so  variable. 

She  braideth  euer  on  the  chauwteplure:  8 

Now  song,  now  wepywg,  now  wo,  now  gladnesse. 

Now  in  merthe,  now  peynis  to  eendure, 

Now  liht,  now  heuy,  now  bittir,  now  suetnesse. 

Now  in  trouble,  now  free,  now  in  distresse,  12 

Shewyng  to  vs  a  maner  resemblauwce, 

How*  worldli  welthe  hath  heer  non  assurauwce. 

Whil  Bochas  pensifF  stood  sool  in  his  librarie 

With  cheer  oppressid,  pale  in  his  visage, 

Sumdeel  abasshed,  alone  &  solitarie. 

To  hym  appered  a  monstruous  ymage, 

Partid  on  tweyne  of  coloMr  &  corage, 

Hir  riht[e]  side  ful  of  somer  floors. 

The  tothir  oppressid  with  wyntris  stormy  showrs. 

Bochas  astonid,  feerful  for  to  abraide 
Wha«  he  beheeld  the  wonderful  figure 
Of  Fortune,  thus  to  hymsilfF  he  saide: 
"What  may  this  meene?  is  this  a  creature 
Or  a  monstre  transffoormyd  ageyws  nature, 
Whos  brenwyng  eyen  sparklyng  of  ther  liht 
As  doon  sterris  the  frosti  wyntres  niht  ?" 


As  Bochas 
stood  alone  in 
his  study,  pen 
in  hand,  musing 
on  the  vicissi- 
tudes of 
Fortune, 


who  turns  ever 
from  woe  to 
gladness,  and 
from  mirth  to 
trouble,  shewing 
that  there  is 
no  assurance  in 
worldly   wealth, 


a  marvelous 
woman 

jg  appeared 
to  him,  her 
right  side 
decked  with 
summer  flowers, 
her  left  side 
beaten  by 
winter  storms. 

20 


Bochas  was 
dumbfounded 
and  afraid  to 
speak.     He 
24  said  to  himself, 
"What  is  this 
creature  or 
monster,  whose 
eyes  burn 
like  the  stars 
on  a  frosty 

28  "'8^^-" 


2.   on]  in  H.       6.    ist  to]  om.  H. 

9.  song  now  wepyng]  syng  now  wepe  H. 
14.  How]  No  B,  J,  H,  R  3,  H  5,  P.  17. 
22.   abraide]  brayde  R. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  121  recto. 
675 


12.    1st  in]  om.  H. 
abaisshed  R. 


676 


Bochas  and  the  Goddess  Fortuna  [bk.  vi 


Her  r*«  «.i.    \^^^\  of  hir  checr[ol  ful  godd  heed  lie  took, 

cruel  »nJ  tern-  ■*  I    >;     »         '  I  1  » 

We.  hef  ha.r      Hip  face  seeiuviij^  cruel  o:  teiiiDic, 

C^"«>''""«Aiul  bi  clisdev;ilel  nianacyng  of  look, 

:«  til',:''      I  lir  her  vntrcssid,  hard,  sharp  &  horrible,  33 

Froward  of  shapiv,  lothsuin  &  odible. 

An  hundred  handis  she  hadde  on  ech  part 

In  sondri  wise  hir  piftes  to  depart. 

which  lift  .,en  Sunime  ofl"  hir  handis  lefl't  up  men  aloffte  36 

up    to    hllTn  -  1    11*        1* 

«me  inJ  c««t  'Yq  hih  fstat  of  worldli  ilignite, 

IdvTJr;"  "'*°Anothir  hand  priped  ful  vnsoffte, 

Which  cast  another  in  pret  aduersite: 

Ciaff  oon  richesse,  anothir  pouerte,  4© 

C^.aff  summe  also  bi  report  a  good  name, 

Noised  anothir  of  sclaundre  &*  difFame. 

Her  gtrraent  j^jj.  j^a^it  was  of  manyfold  colours: 

S^rt:"he  Wachct  bleuh  of  fcyned  stedfastnesse,  44 

Fe"gn^"~n'-  Hir  gold  aliuied  like  son«e  in  wattri  shours, 

m&'^uh  Meynt  with  liht  greene  for  chaung  &  doubilnesse. 

ch^nir"  "*  A  pretens  red:   dreed  meynt  with  hardynesse; 

moumtg.  Whiht  for  clennesse,  lik  soone  for  to  faille;  48 

forTabou^"""  Feynt  blak  for  moornyng,  russet  for  trauaille. 

all  in  harmony  Hir  colowts  mcynt  of  wolHs  mo  than  oon; 
Ibie  ntture!"^*"  Sumwhile  ccHpsed,  sumwhile  she  shon  briht. 

Dulle  as  an  asse  whan  men  hadde  haste  to  gon,       52 

And  as  a  swalwe  gerissh  of  hir  fliht, 

Tween  slouh  &  swifFt;   now  crokid  &  now  vpriht. 

Now  as  a  crepil  lowe  coorbid  doun, 

Now  a  duery  and  now  a  champioun.  56 

Sometimes  she  |i^ow  a  cowatd,  durst  nat  come  in  pres, 

18  a  coward,         *  '  i   -i      i  i-  i 

Kjmetimes  as     And*  sumwhue  hardi  as  leoun; 
sometimes      '  Now  lik  Ectot,  now  drccdful  Thersites, 

Croesus,  some-    -  ^  i         /-^  A 

limes  Agamem-  Now  was  she  Ctcsus,  now  Agamettoun,  60 

m°a"n'.  to-morrow  Sardanapallus  off  condicioun; 
a  woman.         Now  was  shc  mannyssh,  now  was  she  femynyne. 
Now  coude  she  reyne,  now  koude  she  falsli  shyne. 

34.   hundrith  H.      42.   &]  &  off  B,  R. 

44.  stedfastnesse]  stablenesse  H,  stabilnesse  R  3. 

45.  Sonne]  golde  H.       48.   Whiht]  which  R. 

49.   2nd  for]  off  R.       50.   meynt]  ment  H.       53.   Swalouh  H. 

56.   and]  an  R. 

58.   And]  Now  B,  R,  J  —  as]  as  a  P. 

60.   2nd  now]  now  was  she  H. 


BK. 


VI] 


Fortunas  Words  to  Bochas 


677 


76 


Now  a  mermaide  angelik  off  face,  64 

A  tail  behynde  verray  serpentyne, 

Now  debonaire,  now  froward  to  do  grace, 

Now  as  a  lamb  tretable  &  benigne, 

Now  lik  a  wolff  of  nature  to  maligne,  68 

Now  Sirenes  to  synge  folk  a-slepe 

Til  Karibdis  drowne  hem  in  the  deepe. 

Thus  lohn  Bochas  consideryng  hir  figure, 
Al  hir  fetures  in  ordre  he  gan  beholde, 
Hir  breede,  hir  heihte,  hir  shap  &  hir  stature, 
An  hundrid  handis  &  armys  ther  he  tolde: 
Wheroff  astonid,  his  herte  gan  to  colde; 
And  among  alle  hir  membris  euerichon, 
He  sempte  she  hadde  no  feet  upon  to  gon. 

And  whil  that  he  considered  al  this  thyng, 

Atween[e]  tweyne,  as  it  wer  in  a  trauwce, 

She  sodenli  toward  hym  lookyng. 

He  conceyued  be  hir  contenauwce,  — 

Wer  it  for  ire,  wer  it  for  plesauwce, 

Outher  for  fauour,  outher  for  disdeyn,  — 

Bi  the  maner  she  wolde  suwwhat  seyn.  84 

Lookyng  a-scoign  as  she  had  had  disdeyn,     [p.  299] 

"Bochas,"  quod  she,  "I  knowe  al  thyn  entent. 

How  thou  trauailest,  besiest  the  in  veyn, 

In  thi  studie  euer  dilligent,  88 

Now  in  the  west,  now  in  the  orient 

To  serche  stories,  north  &  meredien. 

Of  worthi  princis  that  heer-toforn  ha  been. 

Sumwe  duellid  vndir  the  pool  Artyk, 

Be  my  fauour  vpreised  to  the  sterris; 

Othir  vndir  the  pool  Antartik, 

Which  in  contrarye  from  vs  so  ferr  is. 

Sumwe  encresid  &  set  up  bi  the  werris, 

Lik  as  me  list  ther  tryuwphes  to  auauwce;* 

Frownyng  on  othir,  I  brouht  hem  to  myschauwce. 

I  see  the  besi  remembryng  be  scriptures 
Stories  of  pryncis  in  eueri  mzner  age. 
As  my  fauour  folwed  ther  auentures. 


Now  a  mer- 
maid with  an- 
gelic face  and 
the  tail  of  a 
serpent;  now  a 
Iamb  and  again 
a  wolf. 


John  Bochas 
looked  at  her 
y2  well,  and  after 
observing  her 
features  one 
after  another, 
his  heart  grew 
cold. 

It  seemed  to 
him  that  she 
had  no  feet  to 
walk  upon; 

and  while 
he  stood 
as  in  a  trance, 
she  turned  to 
3o  him  and  said, 


"Bochas,  I 
know  what  you 
are  about, 
searching  out 
stories  of 
worthy   princes, 


upon  whom  I 
92  have  smiled  or 
frowned. 


96 


"I  have  seen 
you  describing 
100  ^^^'''  deeds  in 
plain  unadorned 
language, 


73.   heihte]  length  R. 

77.   He]  Hym  H. 

97.  to  auaunce]  tauaunce  B. 


678  Fortunas  Words  to  Bochas  []bk.  vi  I 

Be  luinihle  stile  set  in  plcy;;  langage,  — 

Nat  niaad  coiious  be  non  auaiu/tage 

Of  rethoriques,  with  niusis  for  to  stryue,  104 

But  in  plcyn  foornie  ther  deedis  to  descryue.  j 

fi'iem"prais^c'^or^^"  wliicli  processc  thou  dost  gfct  dilHgencc, 
Wamc.  as  they  ^g  xht'i  disseruc  to  yiuc  hem  thank  or  blame: 

deserve.  ^  •  •    ii  n 

"Some  were      Scttcst  up  oon  \n  roKuI  excellence  108  ' 

Jupiter  with  a   Withy n«e  myn  hous  callid  the  Hous  of  Fame,  — 
trumpet  o  go  .yj^^  goldcnc  trujupct  wix.h  blastis  off  good  name 
Enhau7fceth  oon  to  ful  hih[e]  parties, 
Wher  lubiter  sit  among  the  heuenli  skies.  112 

with' the' blast    Anothir  trumpet,  of  sownis  ful  vengable, 

of  a  sable         Which  blovveth  up  at  feestis  funerall,  - 

trumpet,  were  -irii  r        ^  ii 

plunged  down    Notliyng  bnht[e|,  but  or  coloz^r  sable,  , 

from  their  i-         r  r  i      ii-    o  ii  " 

royal  estate.      T  er  tro  my  lauoMr,  dedli  &  mortail,  116              • 

To  plonge  pryncis  from  ther  estat  roiall,  \ 

Whan  I  am  wroth,  to  make  hem  loute  lowe,  j 

Than  of  malis  I  do  that  trumpet  blowe.  * 

co'^nceaM  noth-  Thou  hast  wotyn  &  set  togidre  in  gros,  120  \ 

ins  spared        Lik  ther  dcscrt  worldli  mennys  deedis, 

neither  their         t-^       ,  ,      ,  ,    r    i  , 

crowns  nor        Pslothyng  concelcd  nor  vnar[ej  couert  cloos, 

robes,  but  given  Spared  [not]  ther  crownys  nor  ther  purpil  weedis,  123 

des^s.  ^"        Ther  goldene  sceptris;  but  youe  to  them  ther  meedis: 

Crownid  oon  with  laureer  hih  on  his  hed  vpset,  | 

Other  with  peruynke  maad  for  the  gibet.  \ 

trluw  my'      Thus  dyuersH  my  gifftes  I*  departe, 

gifts,  sometimes  Qqj-j  acceptid,  a-nothir  is  refusid;  128  j 

to  one,  some-      ^  .,     ,  *^,  j  T    rj     i   •  ' 

times  to  an-      Lik  hasardours  my  dees  1  [doj  mparte,  j 

other,  asina^^  iri-i  !••  -j  \ 

game  of  chance.  Oon  wccl  loorthrid,  anothir  is  accusid.  I 

My  play  is  double,  my  trust  is  euer  abusid,  i 

Thouh  oon  to-day  hath  my  fauour  wonwe,  132              | 

To-morwe  ageyn  I  can  eclipse  his  sonwe.  ' 

hil^e'^cor  to    Cause  of  my  comywg,  pleynli  to  declare  j 

shew  you  what  gj  good  auis,  vnto  thi  presence,  ' 

my  disposition  °  '  I 

is  like:  to-day    Is  to  shcwe  my  mancres  &  nat  spare,  136  ; 

I  may  flatter,        «        i  t    •  i  m  •   •  I 

and  frown  to-    And  my  condiciouws,  breemi  in  sentence,  | 

Preued  of  old  &  newe  experience,  ij 

Pleynli  to  shewe,  me  list  nat  for  to  rowne,  | 

To-day  I  flatre,  to-morwe  I  can  weel  frowne.  140               I 

106.   gret]  \n  H.  { 

113.   sownis]  sown  H.       120.    &]  an  R.  123.   not]  om.  R.                  ^ 

127.   13  I  gan  B.       131.   euer]  ay  H.  i 

132.   my  fauour^  hath  I-wonne  J.       138.  newe]  nex  H.                           \ 


morrow. 


BK. 


VI] 


Fortuna  defends  her  Ways  zvith  Men 


679 


156 


This  hour  I  can  shewe  me  merciable, 

And  sodenH  I  can  be  despitous: 

Now  weelwlllid,  hastili  vengable, 

Now  sobre  of  cheer,  now  wood  &*  furious.  144 

My  play  vnkouth,  my  maners  merueilous 

Braid  on  the  wynd;   now  glad  &  now  I  mo^^rne; 

Lik  a  wedircok*  my  face  ech  day  I  towrne. 

Wheryn  Bochas,  I  telle  the  yit  ageyn, 
Thou  dost  folie  thi  wittis  for  to  plie; 
All*  thi  labour  thou  spillest  in  veyn, 
Geyn  my  maneres  so  felli  to  replie,  — 
Bi  thi  writyng  to  fynde  a  remedie, 
To  interupte  in  thi  laste  dawes 
My  statutis  [and]  my  custumable  lawes, 

Al  the  labour  off  philisophres  olde, 
Trauaile  off  poetis  my  maner  to  depraue, 
Hath*  been  of  yore  to  seyn  lik  as  thei  wolde 
Ouer  my  fredam  the  souereynte  to  haue. 
But  of  my  lawes  the  libertes  to  saue, 
Vpon  my  wheel  thei  shal  hem  nat  difFende, 
But  whan  me  list[e]  that  thei  shal  dessende. 

Whi  sholde  men  putte  me  in  blame, 

To  folwe  the  nature  of  my  double  play  ? 

With  newe  buddis  doth  nat  ver  the  same. 

Whan  premeroles  appeere  fressh  &  gay?  — 

To-day  thei  shewe,  to-morwe  thei  gon  away; 

Somer  afFtir  of  flouris  hath  foisouw. 

Til  lun  with  3ithes  aftir  mowe  hem  doun.  168 

Now  is  the  se  calm  and  blandisshyng;  [p,  300] 

Now  ar  the  wyndis  confortable  &  still; 

Now  is  Boreas  sturdi  in  blowyng. 

Which  yong[e]  sheep  &  blosmys  greueth  ille.  172 

Whi  also  shold  I  nat  haue  my  wille, 

To  shewe  my-silf  now  smothe  and  aftir  trouble, 

Sith  to  my  kynde  it  longeth  to  be  double  ? 

144.  &]  now  B. 

147.  wedircok]  woodcok  B  (wedircok  R,  wedirkok  H,  wetliircok 

J,  wedircoke  R  3,  wedyrcok  H  5,  wedrecok  P). 

ISO.  All]  And  B. 

155.  labours  H,  R  3,  laboures  P. 

157.  Hath]  Haue  B. 

165.  primerolis  R,  primrollis  H,  pr(?merollis  R  3,  Prymerolis  J. 

170.  comfortable  H. 


"I  am  as  fickle 
as  the  wind  or 
a  weathercock, 
and  ray  ways 
are  marvelous. 


Q  "It  is  foolish  of 
■■•40  you,  Bochas,  to 
try  to  change 
my  habits  and 
nature. 


152 


"All  the  labour 
of  old  philoso- 
phers was  of 
no  avail  against 
me:  when  I 
desire  it  they 
must  descend. 


160 


"Why  should 
men  blame 
me?     Is  it  not 
the  same  with 
164  the  changing 


and  the  sea, 
now  calm,  now 
stormy?  Why 
should  I  not 
have  my  will? 


68o  //  is  Fortune  s  Nature  to  he  double  [bk.  vi 

rnii^rrf." bu t***  No  man  so  fcirc  is  fallc  in  wrechidnesse  176 

he  hoi>ci  that    I3^t  ti^-it  \^^.  stant  in  trust  to  rise  aceyn; 

•omc  Jay  '  ,.  ,.  ... 

m«y  relieve       Not  non  SO  dccpc  pluiicid  in  distressc, 
i\or  with  dispcir  nor  wanhopc  ouerleyn, 
But  that  thcr  is  sum  hope  Icttt  ccrteyn  180 

To  yiuc  hym  cou;/ forte,  seruyng  his  entente, 
To  be  releued  whan  me  hst  assente. 

Ind^gr^n'o'     The  erthe  is  clad  in  motles  whiht  &  rede; 

.prinn  diMrp««r\V}i3„  Ejtas  enttith  with  violettis  soote,  184 

1  he  greuis  greene,  &  m  euery  meede 
The  bawme  fleteth,  which  doth  to  hertis  boote. 
August  passid,  ageyn  into*  the  roote 
Be  cours  of  nature  the  vertu  doth  resorte  188 

Be  reuolucioun  to  Kynde,  I  me  reporte. 

bume°me'^r'  ^ho  sholde  thanne  debarre  me  to  be  double, 
my  incon.iancy.sif}^  doubilnessc  longcth  to  me  of  riht? 

Now  fressh  with  somer,  now  with  wyntir  trouble,  192 

Now  blynd  of  look,  dirk  as  the  cloudi  niht; 

Now  glad  of  cheer,  of  herte  murie  &  liht: 

Thei  ar  but  foolis  ageyn  my  myht  that  muse 

Or  me  atwite,  thouh  I  my  poweer  vse.  196 

takl'mf  af      Scelde  or  neuer  I  bide  nat  in  o  poynt: 
Ind  they  "ave  ^^"  "^"^^  ^^  ^^P^^  ^^^^  "^^  ^^  ^^^^  fynde; 
comf"-^  ^°f      "^"^  whan  I  stonde  ferthest  out  of  ioynt 
my  doubieness,  To  sctte  folk[es]  bakwatd  ferre  behynde,  200 

Than  worldli  men  with  ther  eyen  blynde 
Sore  compleyne  upon  my  doubilnesse, 
Calle  me  than^ie  the  froward  fals  goddesse. 

mTnalu'rVto    Thus  bi  yowr  writyng  &  m^rueilous  langage  204 

"it'^i°s"no'        ^  ^"^  disclaurzdrid  of  mutabilite, 

slander  to  me,   Whetoff  be  riht  I  cach  gret*  auauwtage, 

for  I  am  the  &  .  b    ' 

lady  and  prm-  bith  duDilnesse  no  sclauwdte  is  to  me, 

cess  of  change,    ttti  •    i     •  ,      r  i-i 

Which  is  a  parcel  ot  my  Iiberte,  208 

To  be  callid,  be  title  off  rihtwisnesse. 
Off  chaungis  newe  ladi  &  pryncesse." 

&^,^th"a     Thus  whan  Fortune  hadde  said  hir  will, 

Iiuw'fo!*"  ^^'"cel  declared  of  hir  gouernaunce,  212 

tune  said,  and   Made  a  stynt  &  sobirli  stood  still. 

then  rephed  t    l        T)       i 

meekly:  lohn  Bochas  sat  &  herd  al  hir  daliaunce, 

181.   comforte  H.       187.   into]  vnto  B. 

194.   of  herte]  sadde  H. 

198.   lepis]  lopis  R,  loopis  H,  J,  lopis  R  3,  lepvs  H  5,  loupes  P. 

203.  the]  a  H.      206.   gret]  a  gret  B,  H,  R,  J,  P,  R  3,  H  5. 


BK.  vi]  Bochas  tells  why  he  wrote  his  Book 


68 1 


Feerful  of  cheer[e],  pale  of  contenaunce, 

In  ordre  enpreentid  ech  thyng  that  she  saide, 

Ful  demurli  thus  he  dede  abraide. 

He  took  onto  hym  vertu  &  corage 

Vpon  a  poynt  for  to  abide*  stable: 

"Certis,"  quod  he,  "lik  to  thi  visage, 

Al  worldli  thyngis  be  double  &  chaungable; 

Yit  for  my  part  bi  remewbrauwce  notable* 

I  shal  parfourme,  sothli  yif  I  conwe, 

This  litil  book  that  I  ha[ue]  begonne. 

And  lest  my  labour  deie  nat  nor  [a]palle. 
Of  this  book  the  title  for  to  saue. 
Among  myn  othir  litil  werkis  alle, 
With  lettres  large  aboue  vpon  my  graue 
This  bookis  name  shal  in  ston  be  graue, 
How  I,  lohn  Bochas,  in  especiall 
Of  worldli  princis  writyn  haue  the  fall. 

OfF  which  emprise  the  cause  to  descryue,  — 
This  was  first  ground,  I  wil  it  nat  denye, 
Teschewe  slouhthe  &  vices  al  my  lyue. 
And  specialli  the  vice  of  glotenye. 
Which  is  notice  vnto  lecherie: 
This  was  cheefF  cause  whi  I  vndirtook 
The  compilaciouw  off  this  litil  book. 

Yit  bi  thi  talkyng,  as  I  vndirstonde, 

Ech  thyng  heer  of  nature  is  chauwgable, 

AfFtir  thi  sentence,  bothe  on  se  &  londe; 

Yit  koude  I  rekne  thynges  that  be  stable: 

As  vertuous  [lyf]  abidyng  vnmutable. 

Set  hool  to  Godward  of  herte,  will  &  thouht, 

Maugre  thi  poweer,  &  ne  chauwgith  nouht. 

Thou  maist  eek  callyn  [vn]to  remewbrauwce 
Thynges  maad  stable  bi  grace  which  is  dyuyne, 
Hastow  nat  herd[e]  the  perseuerauwce 
Of  hooli  martirs,  which  list  nat  to  declyne 
Fro  Cristis  feith  til  thei  dide  fyne? 
Thi  wheel  in  hem  hadde  non  interesse. 
To  make  hem  varie  fro  ther  stabilnesse. 


216 


"Certainly  all 
worldly  things 
are  changeable, 
nevertheless  I 
220  3^°  going  to 
finish  my  little 
book  if  I  can. 


224 

"And  lest  the 
memory  of  my 
labour  die, 
there  shall  be 
engraved  in 
large  letters 
228  above  my 

tomb,  how  I, 
John  Bochas, 
have  written 
the  Fall  of 
Princes. 


232 


2.^6 


"I  undertook 
to  write  it, 
that  I  might 
avoid  idleness 
and  vice,  and 
especially 
gluttony,  the 
nurse  of  lust. 


"You  say  that 
everything  here 
24.0  '^  changeable  of 
^     nature:  yet  cer- 
tain things, 
such  as  virtuous 
life,  are  stable 
in  spite  of 
your  power. 

244 


"Have  you  not 

heard  of  the 
_  holy  martyrs? 
"The  turning 
248  °^  your  wheel 
had  no  power 
over  them. 


252 


219.  to  abide]  tabide  B,  H,  R.       222.   ful  notable  B. 

228.  large]  long  H.      239.  thi]  the  R.      250.  thei]  he  R,  J. 


682  Only  Worldly  Fools  call  Fortiina   a  Goddess     [hk.  vi 

[p.  301] 


••A  m.n  .rmeJ  ^  ^^.j,^  j|^.,(  js  enariiicd  in  vcrtu 

»ith  virtue.  .  . 

*iu.  «ruin  in     Aci'Vii  till  tiulit  to  inakc  rcsistcncc, 

fhriit  Jc»u.  11         ^ 
prool  ax«init 
your  v*ri«ncet 


arc  callcvl 
theologic  virtue* 


Ami  Sit  his  trust  lu-  grace  in  Crist  \esw. 
Anil  liath  al  hool  his  hi-itli  ailucrtence  256 

On  rihtwisnesse,  force  i\;  on  pruilcnce, 
With  thcr  suster  callid  attcmpcrau»ce, 
Hath  a  saufcontluit  ap;eyn  thi  variaunce! 
"Such  men  r«>Tlic[il  scttc  no  stoor  he  thi  ilouhlc  whcele,*  260 

DO  attentKin  to  |  '  r        i  i      i  •  1 

your  wheel.       \\  ^x\\  supoortaciou «  ot  Other  ladies  tlire; 

their  tmit  ,  '  •  ir    l        I    ^  ^1 

•iand>  on  Uith.  1  ju'r  triist  staiit  nat  in  inaillej,  plate  or  stcl, 
charity?  which  But  in  thes  vertues:  feith,  hope  &  charite, 

Callid  vertues  theologice,  264 

Wiiich  with  fourc  afforn  heer  specefied, 
Thi  wheel  &  the  han  vttirli  defied. 
"If  I  h.d         Yiff  I  ^yjfi^  wvngis  myhte  fleen  to  heuene, 

wings  to  Uy  to     ■•  i  i  i  i 

he*ven.i  .houid  yjicj-  sholde  I  scc  thou  hast  nothyng  to  doone        268 

tee  that  you        tt-    i     t     i  •  i  i 

had  nothing  to  W  ith  lubitcr  noF  the  planetis  seuene, 
s«°ve*nViancts:    With  Phebus,  Mars,  Mercuric  nor  the  moone. 
wor'id?y'foois     But  woorldli  fooHs,  erly,  late  and  soone, 
r  g°od"«s!'°"     Such  as  be  blent  &  dirkid  with  leudnesse,  272 

Bi  fals  oppynyoun  calle  the  a  goddesse. 

I'Pfar'Temoved  Giftcs  of  gtacc  not  gifftcs  of  natute, 
from  your        Almesscdefde]  doon  with  humylite, 

domain.  ■■       ■*  .  -^  -    ,  . 

Loue  and  compassiouw,  been  ferr  out  or  thi  cure,  —  276 
Semlynesse,  strengthe,  bouwte  nor  beute 
Vertuousli  vsid  in  ther  degre,  — 
Geyn  non  of  these  thi  poweer  may  nat  strechche; 
For  who  is  vertuous  lite  of  the  doth  rechche.  280 

blame  ^:^i' in    Off*  thi  condiciouns  to  sette  a-nother  preefF, 
their  adversity  Which  foolis  vseu  in  ther  aduersite 

only  to  excuse  .  •    i  i         rr 

themselves.       pot  excusacioun,  as  su7?ztyme  seith  a  theeit, 

W^han  he  is  hangid:   'it  w^as  his  destyne'  —  284 

Atwitith  Fortune  his  iniquite, 
As  thouh  she  hadde  domynacioun 
To  reule  man  bi  w^ill  ageyn  resoun. 

For  which  I,  Bochas,  in  parti  desolat  288 

the  prob-  Xq  detctmyne  such  heuenli  hid  secrees, 

of  exist-      f-T"        1  1  1  1 

To  them  that  been  dyujmes  of  estat 

I  remitte  such  vnkouth  pryuites; 

And  with  poetis  that  been  off  low  degrees  292 


"But  I.  who 
am  unable  to 
solve 
lems 

ence,  leave 
them  to  those 
who  are 
scholars  by 
profession. 


253-3268  are  omitted  in  R.       260.  wheele]  variauwce  B. 
262.   or]  nor  H.       277.   nor]  or  H. 
281.  Oftl  AflF  B  — condiciown  H. 


BK.  \f\   Bochas  asks  Fortuna  to  aid  him  in  his  Labour       683 


I  eschewe  to  clymbe  to  hih  aloffte, 

List  for  presuwpcioun  I  shold  nat  fall[e]  softe. 

But  yif  I  had  hid  in  my  corage 

Such  mysteries  of  dyuyn  prouidence,  296 

Withoute  envie  I  wolde  in  pleyn  langage 

Vttre  hem  be  writyng  with  humble  reuerence,  — 

Predestynaciouw  nouther  prescience 

Nat  apperteene,  Fortune,  vnto  the; 

And  for  my  part  I  wil  excuse  me, 

And  proceede  lik  as  I  vndirtook, 

Aftir  that  I  haue  told  my  mateer, 

Of  Fall  of  Princis  for  to  write  a  book. 

But  yit  afforn[e],  yif  thou  woldest  heere, 

I  desire  of  hool  hert  &  enteer 

To  haue  a  copee  of  princis  namys  all, 

Which  fro  thi  wheel [e]  thou  hast  maad  to  fall. 

Thi  secre  bosum  is  ful  of  stories 

Of  sondry  princis,  how  thei  ther  lifF  haue  lad, 

Of  ther  triumphes  &  ther  victories, 

Which  olde  poetis  &  philisophres  sad 

In  meetre  &  prose  compiled  han  &  rad, 

Sunge  ther  laudis,  ther  fatis  eek  reserued 

Bi  remembrance,  as  thei  haue  disserued. 

Of  which  I  haue  put  sumwe  in  memorie, 
Theron  sette  my  studie  &  my  labour, 
So  as  I  coude,  to  ther  encres  of  glorie, 
Thouh  of  langage  I  hadde  but  smal  fauowr, 
Cause  Caliope  dede  me  no  socour. 
For  which  thou  hast  duryng  al  this  while 
Rebuked  me  of  my  rud[e]  stile. 

Men  wolde  acouwte  it  wer  a  gret  dulnesse. 

But  yifF  langage  conveied  be  bi  prudence, 

Out  declared  bi  sobre  auysynesse, 

Vndir  support  fauoured  be  diffence 

Of  Tullius,  cheef  prince  of  elloquence,  — 

Sholde  mor  proffite,  shortli  to  conclude,  328 

Than  my  stile,  spoke  in  termys  rude. 


"At  any  rate, 
I  am  sure 
that  neither 
predestination 
nor  prescience 
appertain  to 
you,  Fortune. 


300 


"And  so  I 
will  go  on 
with  my  book; 
yet  I  should  be 
OQA   very  grateful 
-^   ^  for  a  list  of 
the  names  of 
all  the  princes 
who  have  fallen 
from  your 
wheel. 

308 

"Your  secret 
bosom  is  full  of 
the  stories  of 
princes  whose 
praises  have 
been  sung  by 
312  the  old  poets. 


316 


"Some  of  them 
I  have  myself 
put  in  remem- 
brance, although 
I  am  a  poor 
hand  at  writing, 
and  Calliope 
has  given  me 
320  no  help. 


"  Language 
favoured  by 
■?2A  ^^^  eloquence 
"^  ^  of  TuUy  is  very 
superior  to  my 
rude  style. 


294.  for]  of  H. 
308.  fro]  frome  H. 


684 


rex  it  often 
hippcni  that 
couj  Kriin  ii 
lounil  KrowinR 
under  hutkt, 
anJ  ROuJ 
counicl  ipokcn 
in  blunt  tcrmt 
•omrtintri 
MiccccJt  where 
rheloric  failt. 


"It  wai 

thrvMiith  muiic 
and  pliiloiophy 
that  the  com- 
mon t  tint  be- 
came civilized; 


for  muiic  it 
harmony,  and 
philotophy 
aprang  from 
prudence,  and 
upon  concord 
and  wise 
policy  were 
built  the  walls 
of  Thebes. 


"  Discord  goes 
hand  in  hand 
with  diversity, 
peace  with 
prudent  policy, 
and  quarrels 
were  first 
brought  in  by 
you.  Lady  of 
Contest  and 
Strife  — 


slaughter,  de- 
bate, froward 
dissensions  and 
the  desolation  of 
towns  and 
countries. 


"It  is  you  who 
first  got  men 
into  trouble 
with  your  un- 
couth snares, 
and  made 
them  hate  one 
another; 


I'ou,  Fortuna,  first  got  Men  into  Trouble"     [bk.  vi 

Wx.  oftc  tynie  it  hath  he  felt  &  scyn, 

\  lulcr  hiiskcs  j;ro\vynp  on  loiul*  arahle, 

Hath  he  tou«dc  &:  tried  out  good  greyn;  332 

Vndir  rude  Icuys,  shakyng  &  vnstable, 

PuUid  fair  fnit,  holsuni  &  delectahle. 

And  senihhddy,  wher  rethorik  hath  failed, 

In  blunt  tcrniys  good  cou;jseil  hath  auailed.  336 

Philisophres  of  the  goldenc  ages  [p.  302] 

And  pt)etes  that  fond  out  fressh  ditees, 

As  kyng  Amphiou/i  with  his  fair  langages 

And  with  his  harpyng  made  folk  of  louh  degrees,  340 

As  laborers,  tenhabite  first  cites;  — 

And  so  hi  niusik  and  philosophic 

Gan  first  of  comouns  noble  policie. 

The  cheeff  of  musik  is  mellodie  &  accord;  344 

Welle  of  philosophie  sprang  out  of  prudence, 

Bi  which  too  menys  gan  vnite  &  concord 

With  politik  vertu  to  haue  ther  assistence: 

Wise  men  to  regne,  subiectis  do  reuerence.  348 

And  bi  this  grDu»d,  in  stories  men  may  see, 

Wer  bilt  the  wallis  of  Thebes  the  cite. 

Accord  in  musik  causith  the  mellodie; 

W'^her  is  discord,  ther  is  dyuersite,  352 

And  wher  is  pes  is  prudent  policie 

In  ech  kyngdam  and  euery  gret  centre. 

St rifF  first  inducid  bi  thi  duplicite; 

For  which  thou  maist,  as  clerkis  the  descryues,      356 

Be  callid  ladi  of  contekis  &  of  stryues. 

First  wer  founde  out  hatful  dyuysiouns 

Be  thi  contreued  fals  mutabilites,  — 

Slauhtre,  debat,  froward  discenciouns  360 

In  regiouns,  prouynces  and  cites, 

Desolacioun  off  townis  &  contrees, 

WherofF  men  hadde  first  experience 

Bi  thi  chaungable  geri  violence.  364 

Thus  bi  thoppynyoun  of  thi  wheel  most  double. 
As  ferr  be  nature  as  it  was  possible, 
Ouerthwertli  thou  brouhtest  men  in  trouble, 
Madest  ech  to  other  froward  &  odible  368 

Bi  thi  treynys  vnkouth  &  terrible, 

331.   Iand3  ground  B.       334.   delitable  H. 

339.   kyng^owi.H.       346.  concord] accordeH.      349.   story  H. 


BK.  vi]  Fair  Speech  reconciles  Men  to  Unity 

Lik  a  corsour  makth  coltis  that  be  wilde 
With  spore  &  whippe  to  be  tame  &  mylde, 

Thus  bi  the  tempest  off  thyn  aduersJtes, 
To  make  men  mor  tame  of  ther  corage. 
In  [ther]  discordes  tween  kyngdames  &  cites, 
Afftir  the  sharp<f[nesse]  of  thi  cruel  rage* 
Onli  bi  mene  of  speche  &  fair  langage, 
Folk  be  thi  fraude  fro  grace  ferr  exilid, 
Wer  be  fair  speche  to  vnite  reconcilid. 

Peeplis  of  Grece,  of  Roome  &  off  Cartage, 

Next  in  Itaille,  with  many  a  regeouw, 

Wer  inducid  bi  swetnesse*  of  langage 

To  haue  togidre  ther  conuersacioun, 

To  beelde  castellis  &  many  roial  toun. 

What  caused  this  ?  —  to  telle  in  breeff  the  foorme,  384 

But  eloquence  rud  peeplis  to  reffoorme. 

Affor  tyme  thei  wer  but  bestiall, 

Till  thei  to  resouM  be  lawes  wer  constreyned, 

Vndir  discreciouw  bi  statutis  naturall 

Fro  wilful  lustis  be  prudence  wer  restreyned. 

Bassent  maad  oon,  &  togidre  [en]cheynyd 

In  goldene  cheynys  of  pes  and  vnite; 

Thus  gan  the  beeldyng  of  eueri  gret  cite. 

But  whan  thou  medlist  to  haue  an  interesse, 

Thei  that  wer  oon  to  brynge  hem  at  discord, 

To  interupte  with  thi  doubilnesse 

Cites,  regiouns,  that  wer  of  oon  accord,  — 

Lik  as  this  book  can  ber  [me]  weel  record, 

Fro  the  tyme  that  thou  first  began 

Thi  mutabilite  hath  stroied  many  a  man. 

Thou  causest  men  to  been  obstynat 
In  ther  corages  &  incorrigible, 
Wilful,  froward,  causeles  at  debat, 
Ech  to  other  contrarious  &  odible, 
Them  to  refourme  almost  impossible,  — 
Til  fair[e]  speche,  voidyng  dyuisioun, 
Pes  reconcilid  tween  many  a  regeoun.* 


68s 


-_.  and  then  you 
372  would  tame 

them  with  ad- 
versity, and 
afterwards  it 
was  fair  speech 
that  reconciled 
,  them  to  unity. 


"Sweetness  of 

language  in- 
,gQ  duced  them  to 
^       consort  together 

and  build  castles 

and  cities. 


388 


"At  first  they 
were  ignorant, 
until  laws  con- 
strained them 
to  reason,  and 
prudence 
checked  their 
wilfulness. 


"But  you  inter- 
fere to  bring 
them  into 
discord,  and 
many  a  man 
has  been  de- 
3q6  stroyed  by 

your  mutability. 


"You   make 
^       men  obstinate 
and  wilful, 
froward  and 
hateful  to  one 
another;  but 
fair  speech  has 
reconciled  many 
404  a  region. 


375.  sharp(?nesse]  sharp  J,  R3,H5,  R2,  H3,H4  —  rage] 

outrage  B,  H,  H  5,  rages  J,  P. 
381.   bi]  wjtfe  H  —  swetnesse]  Record    B,  swifFtnesse   H  —  of] 

of  fair  J. 
383.  roial  tou«]  regiouw  H.      387.  to]  bi  H  —  be]  to  H. 
401.  corage  H. 


686  Bochas  repeats  bis  Request  to  Fortuna  (^bk.  vi 

»^j«Tib"**  "  ^^^  ^^^'^^  '•"'  "*'"  ^"  furious  outrapc, 

Sr'*"'*^'"  it     ^"'  "''  niatfcr  so  fcrr  out  of  tlic  weie,  408 

m«y  l>c  re-        But  tliat  bc  mcne  of  cracious  lanQua^c 

(onncxJ  by  ait-  i  *^    .   *' 

jtwciou.  Ami  taire  spcche  may  a  man  conveie 

I  o  al  resou«  meckli  tor  to  obcic,  — 
Hi  an  cxauwplc  which  I  rc-licrsc  shall  412 

\\  ccl  to  purpos  ami  is  historiall. 

wriVn^u*"'""  ^  T'lc  hardi  kniht,  [the]  cruel  Achilles, 
wrath  nothiim  Wjiaii  liatful  iie  assaiU'cl  his  coiace, 

•cncvl  to  (lill      ,  •    1     1 

the  tcmptit  of    Thcr  was  no  menc  with  hym  to  trete  of  pes,  416 

the  iwcft  •oundTo  stlllc  thc  tcmpcst  of  his  doolful  rage, 
•*    *^"         SaufFonli  this,  which  dede  his  ire  asswage 

I^i  a'ttemprau?;ce  tobeien  to  resou;z, 

\\  hen  of  an  harpe  he  herde  the  sueete  soun.  420 

"Ana  in  iiv.c     Which  instrument  hi  his  cret  suetfelnesse        fp.  '^oi\ 

minncr  gentle      „  ,  r  i   •  i  IK     J     JJ 

Ungu«ge  can      i'ut  al  raucour  out  ot  his  rcme???braunce, 

peace  who  were  ^^'restid  hyiii  agcyu  to  al  gladnesse, 

d*i^»ioo/         From  hym  auoidyng  al  rancoi/r  &  greuauwce.         424 
Semblabli,  faire  speche  and  daliaunce 
Set  men  in  reste  in  rewmys  heer  &  yonder 
Bi  good  langage  that  wer  ferr  assonder." 

wo'Jds^B^has    ^^'Jth  these  woordes  Bochas  wex  debonaire,  428 

became  more     Toward  Fortunc  as  he  cast  his  look, 

anable  and  tit-  . 

•poke  pleasantly  \\  it hdrouh  his  rancour  &  gan  speke  faire 

A  bout  (lis  work    -  _  _  * 

and  besought  '  Touchyng  his  labouT  which  he  upon  hym  took, 
help  him  on      Bcsechyng  hir  for  to  forthre  his  book,  432 

IS   00  ,    'Yh^t  his  name,  which  was  litil  knowe. 
Be  good  report  myhte  be  ferther  blowe, 

f^m^."as*'yet     That  his  fame  myhte  ferther  spreede, 

daXiS  might  Which  stood  as  yit  shroudid  in  dirknesse,  436 

^ine  forth  to    Bi  hir  fauour  his  name  forth  to  leede, 

His  book  to  foorthre  doon  hir  bysynesse 

Bi  good  report  to  yiue  it  a  brihtnesse. 

With  laureat  stremys  shad  foorth  to  peeplis  all,     440 

Bi  foryetilnesse  that  it  neuer  appall. 

5ue«TtVa''t'he  This  was  the  bille  which  that  lohn  Bochas 
^nl!  who^after  Made  vnto  Fortune  with  ful  humble  stile. 
be''in'to^smiie  ^^^^  Fortune  hadde  conceyuyd  al  his*  caas,         444 
and  answered:    Sobitli  stood  and  gan  [to]  stynte  a  while, 

421.   sootnesse  H.        430.   to  speke  H. 
444.    his]  this  B,  445.   to]  om.  J. 


456 


460 


BK.  vi]         Fortuna  says  that  Bochas  slandered  her 

And  glad  of  cheer[e]  aftir  she  gan  smyle 
On  myn  auctot^r,  &  with  a  fressh  visage 
In  sentence  spak  to  hym  this  language: 

[Hie  loquitur  Fortuna.]  ^ 

^  "  Soothli,"  quod  she,  "  I  see  thi  besynesse, 

Of  mortal  men,  how  corious  that  thei  bee, 

How  thei  studie  bi  gret  auisynesse 

Off  my  secretes  for  to  been  preue, 

To  knowe  the  conceitis  hid  withynne  me 

And  my  couwsailles,  ye  men  doon  al  yo^r  peyne, 

Al-be  nat  lihtly*  ye  may  therto  atteyne. 

In  this  mateer  your  witt  doth  neuer  feynte, 
Ymagynyng  liknessis  in  yoMr  mynde, 
Lik  your  conceitis  ye  forge  me  &  peynte, 
Sumtyme  a  woman  with  wenges  set  behynde, 
And  portreye  me  with  eien  that  be  blynde. 
Cause  off  al  this,  breeffli  to  expresse, 
Is  your  owne  coueitous  blyndnesse! 

Your  appetitis  most  strauwge  &  most  dyuers. 

And  euir  ful  of  chauwg  &  doubilnesse, 

Froward  also,  malicious  &  peruers, 

Be  hasti  clymbyng  to  worshepis  &  richesse, 

Alway  void  of  trouthe  &  stabilnesse. 

Most  presumptuous,  serche  out  in  al  degrees, 

Falsli  tatteyne  to  worldli  dignites. 

Bochas,  Bochas,  I  parceyue  eueri  thyng 
And  knowe  ful  weel  the  grete  difference 
Hid  in  thi-silff  of  woordes  &  thynkyng, 
Atween  hem  bothe  the  disconvenience. 
Hastow  nat  write  many  gret  sentence 
In  thi  book  to  sclauwdre  with  my  name, 
Off  hool  entent  my  maneres  to  diffame  ? 

Thou  callest  me  stepmooder  most  vnkynde, 

And  sumtyme  a  fals  enchauwteresse, 

A  mermaide  with  a  tail  behynde. 

Off  scorn  sumwhile  me  namywg  a  goddesse, 

Sumtyme  a  wich,  sumtyme  a  sorceresse, 

Fyndere  off  moordre  &  of  deceitis  alle; 

Thus  of  malis  mortel  men  me  calle! 

455.   lihtly]  likli  B  —  nat]  that  J,  P  —  may]  maynat  J,  P. 
481.  wich]  wrechch  H. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  124  verso. 


687 


448 


"Truly,  I  see 
how  curious 
you  men  are 
to  learn  my 
secrets, 
although  you 
452  do  not  come  by 
them  easily. 


464 


"You  imagine 
me  in  all 
forms:  some- 
times a  woman 
with  wings, 
sometimes 
blind;  but  the 
cause  of  all  this 
is  your  own 
covetousness. 


"You  have 
strange  desires, 
and  you  are 
always  full  of 
deceit,  malicious 
and  perverse, 
and  ever  seek- 
ing worldly 
dignity. 


468 


472 


476 


480 


"Bochas,  I 
understand  and 
know  very  well 
the  great 
difference  be- 
tween your 
words  and 
thought. 
"Have  you  not 
written  many 
a  slanderous 
sentence  about 
me, 

calling  me 
an  unkind  step- 
mother, a  false 
enchantress,  a 
mermaid  with 
a  tail  behind, 
an  instigator  of 
murder? 


688  Shf  finally  decides  to  help  Bochas  [bk.  vi 


•coiunjf  my      gj  accusacioiui  ill  many  soiiun  wise 

mutibility  1,         rr  i  i   -f 

when  I  refute    Yc  OFTte  appeclic  my  mutabilite, 


•All  thi.  in      Al  this  is  doon  in  dcspiht  of  mee;  484 

■ccuunx  my 

mutability 

when   I   refute 

your  covctoui     -kt         ••        i  t  •       i        i  • 

requeit..  Namli  wlian  1  your  rcquestis  do  despise, 

For  taconiplisshe  yowr  gredi  couetise:  488 

Whan  ye  faille  ye  leyn  on  me  the  wite, 
OfFyo/<r  aduersites  me  falsli  tatwite. 

•ia^Idlr^mc  ""    ^^^  thou  of  purpos  for  tesclaundre  me 

you  wrote  an     Hast  writt  vncoodH  a  contrarious  fable,  402 

unpleaunt  story  i      i        •    i     z^i      i    r) 

of  how  I  How  1  wrastled  with  (jiad  rouerte, 

wrestled  with       _^  ,  .      ,  .  ,  , 

Glad  Poverty,  1  o  whos  parti  thou  wer  rauourable, 

/IvolTrtd!" and  Settcst  me  abak,  geyn  me  thou  wer  vengable, — 

meio°hJp^  Now  of  newe  requerist  my  fauour  496 

*'°"'  The  for  to  helpe  &  foorthre  thi  labour! 

chanReabin7a-^s-scauns  I  am  ofF  maneres  most  chaungable, 

m°nd""vet\'hat^^ '-^"^^^'^'^^^  vetray  femynyne; 

la  your  doctrine.  Now  hecr,  HOW  thcr,  as  the  wynd  vnstable,  500 

Be  thi  descripcioun  and  be  thi  doctryne. 
To  eueri  chaung[e]  reedi  to  enclyne. 
As  women  be  &  maidnes  tendre  of  age. 
Which  of  nature  be  dyuers  of  corage.  504 

Imping  tl    But  for  to  forthre  in  parti  thyn  entent,  [p.  304] 

help  you,         That  of  thi  book  the  processe  may  proceede, 
Be  my  fauour  to  the  accomplishment 
I  am  weelwillid  to  helpe  the  in  thi  neede.  508 

Lik  thi  desir  the  bettir  thou  shalt*  speede. 
Whan  I  am  toward  with  a  benigne  face 
To  speede  thy  iourne  bi  support  of  my  grace, 

5^ur''n\me'and  That  thi  name  and  also  thi  surname,  512 

your  .urnarae    With  poctis  &  notable  old  auctours, 

may  nourish.        ■»  ,r  •  •        • 

"I  wilt  have     May  be  registrid  in  the  Hous  off  Fame 

you  begin  with    t,.    "^  °     .  ^  ,  - 

Satuminus.        Bi  supportacioun  or  my  sodeyn  rauours, 

Bi  assistence  also  of  my  socours  516 

Thi  werk  texpleite  the  laurer  for  to  wynne, 
At  Saturninus  I  will  that  thou  begynne. 

484.   is3  om.  J. 

491.   tesclaundre]  to  sclauwdre  H. 

495.   ageyn  H. 

509.  the  bettir  thou  shalt]  thou  shalt  the  bettir  B. 


BK.  vi3  Fortuna  tells  about  the  Downfall  of  Saturninus        689 


,20 


532 


[Here  reherceth  Fortune  hir  condiciouns  vnto 
Bochas  shewyng  how  many  oon  she  enhaunced 
for  a  tyme/  and  anoon  after  hem  sodenly 
ouerthroweth.]  ^ 

^  Among  Romeyws  this  said[e]  Saturnyne 

Was  outraious  oflP  condiciouns, 

Caused  in  Roome  whan  he  gaw  mahgne 

Gret  debatis  and  gret  sediciouws. 

And  hi  his  froward  conspiraciouns 

He  was  sharp  enmy  ageyn  the  prudent  iuge 

CalUd  Metellus,*  deuoid  of  al  refuge. 

Fro  the  Capitoille  fette  with  myhti  hond. 
Fond  no  socour  Metellus  in  the  touw,  — 
The  same  tyme,  thou  shalt  vndirstond, 
How  be  myn  helpe  and  supportacioun 
Oon  that  was  smal  of  reputaciouw 
Callid  Glaueya,  in  pouert  brouht  up  lowe, 
Maad  consuleer,  the  stori  is  weel  knowe. 

A  seruauwt  first  &  almost  set  at  nouht; 
And  afFtirward  I  made  hym  fortunat, 
Lefte  neuere  til  I  hadde  hym  brouht 
Bi  a  prerogatifF  chose  of  the  senat 
To  been  a  pretour,  an  offise  of  estat. 
Which  also  wrouhte  be  conspiraciouw 
To  brynge  Metellus  to  destruccioun. 

Off  whos  assent  ther  was  also  another 

Callid  Marius,  beyng  the  same  yeer, 

Texpleite  this*tresounbeyngther  [own]sworn  brother. 

Which  was  also  that  tyme  a  consuleer. 

I,  Fortune,  made  hem  ful  good  cheer,  544 

Lik  ther  desirs  gafF  hem  liberte 

To  banshe  Metellus  out  of  ther  cite. 

Of  the[s]  [thre]  Romeyns,  the  first[e]  Saturnyne, 
And  Glaueya  was  callid  the  secounde, 
And  Marius,  leid  out  hook  &  lyne. 
As  I  haue  told,  Metellus  to  confouwde. 

525,  27,  39.   Metellius  B. 

531.  Glaueya]  Glabeya  H,  Glabela  J,  Glaucia  P. 

532.  the]  this  H. 
542.  this]  ther  B. 
548.  Glaueya]  Glabeya  H,  Glaucia  J,  P. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  124  verso. 


"This  said 
Saturnine  was 
an  outrageous 
person,  who 
caused  great 
trouble  in 
Rome. 


524 


"He  was  an 
enemy  of 
Metellus  at 
the  time 
r28  Glaucia  became 
consul. 


"I  made, 
Glaucia  for- 
tunate; he 
was  at  first 
nothing  but 
servant. 


536 


"He,  Marius, 
540  and  Saturnine 
conspired  to 
banish  Metellus, 


and  I  shewed 
them  my  favour, 
-  .  Q  that  they  might 
"'^     later  on  them- 
selves come  to 
mischief. 


690  Those  who  ascend  highest  shall  soonest  fall      [bk.  vi 

To  ther  purpos  I  was  also  fouwde 

Fauourable  to  brynge  hem  to  myschccff,  552 

As  ther  stori  sheweth  an  open  pieefF. 

MctcUull^nj'''  ^  '^^*  ban[y]shid  hym  out  of  Roome  toun; 

Saturninu.  pre-  y\p(j  Satumynus  hi  his  subtil  werkyng 

called  lorJ  «nJ  L  lamb  up  tastc,  ot  liili  pi csumpciou??,  556 

To  be  callitl  of  Roonie  lord  &  kynp;. 

I  gatF  hym  fauour  bamaner  fals  smylyng, 

Til  at  the  laste,  pleynli  to  declare, 

Off  his  destrucciouM  I  brouht  hym  in  the  snare.     560 

whne*"i  was      The  senatours  knowyng  the  malis 
deceiving  hira.   Qf  Satumyn,  which  made  a  gret  gadrywg 

Of  sondry  folk,  castyng  in  his  auys 

Bi  ther  fauour  he  myhte  be  callid  kyng.  564 

Al  this  while  off  his  vpclymbyng 

I  shewed  hym  duryng  a  long[e]  space 

Hym  to  deceyue  a  benigne  face. 

"  Finally  Marius  jjj  Matius,  3  myhti  consuleer,  568 

arose  and  ,  '  -;  .    '  '' 

drove  him  into  "Pq  witlistoude  liis  prcsumpcioun 

refuge.  Ros  with  sttoug  hand,  &  with  a  knihtli  cheer 

Besette  his  paleis  abouten  envirouw, 

Brak  his  gatis  amyddis  of  the  touw;  572 

And  Saturnynus,  void  of  al  fauour. 

To  the  Capitoille  fledde  for  socour. 

besieged' the"    He  was  forbarrid  be  Marrius  of  vitaille, 

Capitol,  and      Yhg  CapitoiUc  bcseged  round  aboute;  576 

Saturnmus,  «         i  i  -ii 

brought  to        At  the  entryng  was  a  strong  bataille, 

great  distress,       -^  ,  *=".,.- 

lost  all  his        On  outher  parti  siay[ejn  a  gret  route. 

Thus  of  my  fauour  he  gan  stonde  in  doute, 

This  Saturnynus  brouht  in  gret  distresse,  580 

His  good  achetid,  lost  al  his  richesse. 

tlfches'that      Experience  ful  openli  men  lereth, 
those  who         Such  as  hiest  therupon  ascende, 

ascend  highest     ,  .,  ,  r  i        i  l 

on  my  whcd     Lik  as  the  toum  or  my  wheel  requeretn,  584 

when  they  least  Whaw  thci  Icst  wecne  douw  thei  shal  descende. 
then"  'laugh  at  Thei  haue  no  poweer  thewsiluen  to  difFende 
^^'°'  Ageyn  my  myht,  whan  thei  been  ouerthrowe: 

What  do  I  than,  but  lauhe  &  make  a  mowe!  588 


556.  hih]  om.  H,  J,  R  3,  H  5,  P. 
575.   forbarrid]  so  barrid  H. 


BK.  Vl3 


The  unhappy  Character  of  Drusus 


691 


596 


^  Drusus  also  born  of  gret  lynage  [p.  305] 

And  descendid  of  ful  hih  noblfesse, 

Vnto  vertu  contraire  of  his  corage, 

Froward  fouwde  to  al  gentilesse;  592 

Yit  chose  he  was,  the  stori  doth  expresse, 

Questour  of  Asia,  an  offis  of  degree, 

For  his  berthe  to  gouerne  that  contra. 

But  ofte  tyme  vertu  nor  gentilesse 

Come  nat  to  heires  bi  successiouw,  — 

Exaumple  in  Drusus,  the  stori  berth  witnesse. 

Which  bothe  of  corage  and  disposicioun 

Was  euere  froward  off  condiciouw. 

For  which  lat  men  deeme  as  thei  mut  needis, 

Nat  afFtir  berthe  but  afFtir  the  deedis. 

Vertues  alle  in  hym  wer  set  aside: 

Slouh  to  been  armyd,  hatid  cheualrie,  604 

Most  coueitous,  deyncus,  ful  of  pride, 

His  deedis  froward,  ful  of  trecherie. 

To  hih  estat  I  dede  hym  magnefie, 

Yit  al  my  gifFtes  in  hym  ne  myhte  strechche,         608 

For  heer  tofor  the,  he  komcch  lik  a  wrechche. 

He  dar  for  shame  nat  shewen  his  visage. 
So  ferr  disclauwdrid  is  his  wrechidnesse, 
Whos  couetise  and  vicious  outrage 
Falsli  causid  bi  his  doubilnesse, 
Maguldusa,  a  prince  of  gret  noblesse, 
Betrasshed  was  for  meede  to  the  kyng 
Callid  Boccus  bi  Drusus  fals  werkyng. 

What  maner  torment  or  what  greuous  peyne 

Wer  compotent,  couenable  or  condigne 

To  hym  that  can  outward  flatre  &*  feyne, 

And  in  his  herte  couertli  maligne. 

As  Drusus  dede,  which  shewed  many  a  signe 

To  Maguldusa  of  loue  and  freendliheede; 

Vndirnethe  fals  tresouw  hid  in  deede. 

But  Maguldusa,  lik  a  manli  kniht, 

Geyn  kyng  Boccus  hath  hymsilff  socourid, 

Whan  he  bi  doom  was  iugid  ageyn  riht 

Of  an  olifauwt  for  to  be  deuourid. 

Scapid  freeli,  &  aftir  that  labourid  628 


"Drusus,  born 
of  high  lineage 
and  contrary  to 
all  virtue  was 
chosen  quaestor 
of  Asia. 


"But  it  often 
happens  that 
neither  virtue 
nor  gentility 
are  inherited  by 
heirs:  we  must 
judge  men  by 
their  actions 
600  rather  than 
their  birth. 


"Drusus  was 
lazy,  covetous, 
disdainful 
and  full  of 
treachery. 
"I  could  not 
help  him. 
"Here  he  comes 
before  you  like 
a  wretch, 


and 

dares  not  shew 
his  face  for 
shame.     He 
612  betrayed 

Magulsa  to 
Bocchus. 


616 

"And  what 
torment  were 
appropriate  to 
him  who  can 
outwardly 
flatter  and  in- 
620  wardly  hate,  as 
Drusus  did? 


f-        "But    Magulsa, 
^^4  sentenced  to  be 
devoured  by  an 
elephant,  es- 
caped and 
afterwards  slew 
Drusus  in 
Rome. 


595.  that]  \,e  H.      596. 

614.   Magulsa  P. 

618.   competent  H,  J,  R  3,  H  5,  P. 


gentilnesse  H. 
619. 


597.   Come]  cam  H. 
&]  or  B. 


692  Sctpio  a  Victim  of  Roman  Malice  [|bk.  vi 

Taquite  hymsilftfe]  tlirouli  his  Iiih  rcnoun, 
Slouli  fals  Driisus  niyd  of  Roonie  toiin. 

bi^mi'm'fZr"    ^  Boclias,  also,  mcii  put  the  lak  in  mee, 

Mnji  ihf  ciuic  That  I  was  cause  of  the  dcstruccioun  632 

ol  the  dcittllC-  ... 

tioo  of  Scij'io.    Be  niy  contrarious  inutahihre 

Otl  the  notahlc  famous  Siipiou/;, 

Which  \\\  the  1)1110  of  Scnsoiyn  Catoun 

Gat  the  tryuwphe  for  many  gret  victorie  636 

To  putte  his  name  perpetuel[ly]  in  memorie. 

SiofVomcFor  his  meritis  chose  a  consuleer 

the**»r.'"i^°'   ^^^  chccff  bisshop  to  gouerne  ther  cite, 

tween  Cjtwr     Xo  al  thc  sciKit  patFOun  most  enteer,  640 

and  Pompry.       »  ,  r  n-  i     r        • 

Ivlost  tamous  orr  name  and  dignite, 

Saued  Romeyns  from  al  aduersite, 

Tyme  whan  the  wtrve  dreedful  &  despitous 

Gan  atween  Pompeie  &  Cesar  luHus,  644 

hi\eM  {"n  mT^  Thus  wha?i  the  said[e]  famous  Scipioun 
ludJcniy'^cTs"   ^^^  thoruh  my  fauour  acouwtid  most  notable, 
down  from  my  He  fro  my  whccl  was  sodenli  cast  doun, 

wheel;  but  it       ,         .    ,  -'  .  ,  ' 

was  by  thc       Whicn  ncucr  in  woord  nor  deede  was  coupable.      648 

malice  of  the        dit>  !••  o  ii 

Romans.  £>ut  the  Komcyns  malicious  &  vnstable,  — 

Bi  ther  hangman  first  cheynid  in  prisoun, 
AfFtir  rakked,  ther  geyned  no  raunsoun. 

hiT'Sdy"high    Thus  he  that  hadde  auailed  hem  so  ofte,  652 

6pccude.*ai-     To  saue  hymsilfF  fond  socour  on  no  side; 
though  he  had  His  dede  bodi  the!  heeng  it  hih  alofFte 

saved  them  i  i   • 

froni  all  ad-      T  or  a  spcctacle  longe  ther  tabide. 

Thus  gerisshli  my  giftes  I  deuide,  656 

Stour?d[e]meel,  now  freend,  now  aduersarle, 
Rewarde  goode  with  guerdouws  ful  contrarie. 

WM  weu^'shewn  This  was  expert  ful  weel  in  Scipioun: 

Sripb. '"'  °'    G^"  '^■'^h  ioie,  endid  in  wrechidnesse.  660 

rLatku^'b^rn  ^o^^^^,  remembre,  mak  heeroff  mencioun, 

■  churi,  ascend  And  ofF  Fanaticus,  how  I  off  gentilesse 

to  high  degree,    •»  «■     j      i  ,  i  i      i   -i 

for  ray  amuse-  Made  hym  asccnde  to  notable  hih  prowesse; 

Yit  bookis  sey[e]n  touchyng  his  kynreede,  664 

Manli  of  persone,  born  a  cherl*  in  deede. 

royal '^.ute  by  ^or  my  disport[e]  with  a  glad  visage 
sleight.  I  gg^^-g  j^y^  yp  f^j  j^ji^  ypQj^  j^y  wheel, 

GafF  hym  lordship,  out  of  louh  seruage;  668 

631.   in]  on  H.      662.   gentilnesse  H,  R  3,  H  5. 
665.   born  a  cherl]  a  cherl  born  B,  J,  P. 


BK.  Vl] 


The  Fate  of  Fanaticus,  the  Charlatan 


693 


To  doon  hym  fauour  it  liked  rrte  ful  weel. 
Wherfor  Bochas,  his  stori  euerideel, 
Note  it  weel,  &  in  especiall 
How  he  be  sleihte  cam  to  estat  roiall. 

Be  sleihti  feynyng  to  dyuers  folk  he  tolde, 
How  that  he  spak  with  Cirra  the  goddesse 
At  eueri  hour  pleynli  whan  he  wolde, 
Of  presumpciouw  descryued  hir  liknesse, 
Seide  also  how  that  she  of  hir  goodnesse 
Hadde  grauwtid  hym,  his  staat  to  magnefie, 
Duryng  his  lyfF  a  sperit  off  prophecie. 

And  ferthermore  the  peeple  for  to  blynde 
He  fantasied  hi  a  crafft  vnkouth, 
Withynwe  a  scale,  the  stori  maketh  mywde, 
Of  a  note  to  haue  fyr  in  his  mouth, 
Blewe  it  out  sparklyng  north  &  south, 
AfFermede,  wherwith  folk  wer  blent, 
It  was  a  sperit  to  hym  fro  heuene  sent. 

Bi  which  he  wrouhte  many  gret  vertu, 
Gadred  peeple  til  he  hadde  in  deede 
Two  thousand  cherlis  at  his  retenu, 
Which  aftirward,  his  purpos  for  to  speede, 
To  sixti  thousand  encreced,  as  I  reede. 
I  sufFrid  al;   seruid  hym  at  the  tide 
Til  al  the  centre  gruchchede  at  his  pride. 

Thouh  of  berthe  he  was  but  a  vileyn, 
Roos  up  of  nouht  bi  sodeyn  auenture, 
My  geri  fauour  made  hym  to  be  seyn 
Roial  of  port,  dede  his  besi  cure 
To  reise  his  baner,  wered  a  cote-armure, 
And  be  my  gracious  supportaciouw 
Brouht  gret  peeple  to  his  subieccioun. 

At  the  laste  my  lust  gan  to  appall,* 
Towardis  hym  nat  beyng  fauourable; 
Donn  fro  my  wheel  anon  I  made  hym  fall. 
For  bi  Romeyns  was  sent  a  gret  constable 
Callid  Porpenwa,  a  prynce  ful  notable, 
Which  fill  on  hym,  venquisshid  hym  anon, 
Slouh  and  outraied  his  cherlis  euerichon. 


[p- 


672 
306] 

676 


680 


telling  people 
how  he  could 
converse  at  will 
with  a  goddess, 
and  how  she 
had  given  him 
a  spirit  of 
prophecy. 


"He  blew  fire 
from  a  nutshell 
in  his  mouth, 
and  said  it  was 
a  spirit  sent 
to  him  from 
heaven. 


684 


"Finally  he  had 
60,000  followers; 
ACQ  and  I  permitted 
all,  until  the 
country  grum- 
bled at  his 
pride. 


692 


Born  a  serf,  he 
rose  from 
nothing; 


696 


700 

but  at  last  I 
wearied  of  him 
and  made  him 
fall  from  my 
wheel. 

"He  was  de- 
704  feated  by  Per- 
penna  and 
hanged,  and  his 
churls  were 
scattered  and 
slain. 


682.   scale]  shale  J,  P.       691.   encreced]  om.  H. 
701.  to]  om.  J,  P,  H  5  —  tappall  B,  H,  R  3. 


694  The  Career  of  Athenion  the  Robber  []bk.  vi 

no'  maT'iU*yI'.  My"isilfF  was  haiigld  on  an  hih  gibet;  708 

Summe  of  his  meyne  wer  cast  in  prisouw. 
riiiis  to  his  pride  I  gaft'  a  gret  tripet 
And  fro  my  wheel  I  caste  hym  lowe  doun 
In  his  most  hust  domynacioii;?,  —  712 

1  ook  non  heed  wlier  he  dedc  lauhe  or  niowrne, 
For  with  no  man  I  do  alvvay  soiowrne. 

bo^'flnhcr""  ^  Bochas,"  quod  Fortune,  "  tak  good  heed  also 

ho»  A'theni,^  How  I  can  bothe  foorthre  &  disauaile:  716 

once  a  shcrhcrd.Kor  cxauwple  sec  houh  Athenyo, 

became  a  rob-     ,^,  i  -i  i  i      •      xr      -n 

ber.  1  hat  whilom  was  a  shepperde  m  Ytaille, 

A  brigauMt  aftir,  marchau?itis  to  assaille, 
Lay  in  a-wait  beside  a  gret  mounteyn,  720 

Off  fugityues  he  was  made  a  capteyn. 

i'o"d  a'LTb^oke  Slouh  first  his  lord,  a  riche  senatour, 

pri\o*jfs Tn"/      ^'  violence  brak  many  strong  prisoun; 

hd  ^''him'      ^^^  ^^^  ^  tyme  I  gaff  hym  gret  fauour  724 

gather  churls     To  gadre  robbours  aboute  hyw  enviroun,  — 

make  war  on     Alle  the  chetlis  of  that  regeoun 

He  assemblede  thoruh  his  iniquite, 

To  holde  a  werre  with  Roome  the  cite.  728 

ca^des^nT*^     Bcscged  castclHs,  brak  doun  myhti  towrs, 
robbed"through-  ^^^^}^  &  tobljede  aboute  in  ech  contre, 
out  the  country  Spoiled  palcis  of  worthi  senat07<rs,  — 

ftpQ    wore  Dijr~ 

pje  like  a         Title  haddc  he  non  sauff  title  of  volunte,  —  732 

Took  upon  hym  of  pride  &  cruelte 
For  to  be  clad  in  purpre  lik  a  kyng, 
Bar  a  sceptre  among  his  men  ridyng. 

embroidered      Vpon  his  hed  ordeyned  for  the  nonys  736 

on'bi3'hUd°°"His  gold  her  tressid  lik  an  emperowr, 
",l  ^t"^^^^-  *°    A  coiffe  enbroudid  al  of  riche*  stonis  — 

tninlc  01  nim, 

■  l"'f1  [°''^"'   Me  list  to  lauhhe,  that  a  fals  robbour 

upheld  by  my     „  .  ' 

favour.  tSe  supportacioun  or  my  gen  rauour,  740 

Which  last  nat  longe,  —  for  aftir  in  short  while 
As  is  my  custum  I  dede  hym  begile. 

su^'came  do~°'  I  suffred  hym,  made  hym  feyned  cheer, 
ha°n"ete."''  As  I  haue  do  to  othir  mo  ful  ofte,  744 

Till  doun  fro  Roome  was  sent  a  consuleer, 
Which  took  hym  proudli  &  heeng  hym  hih  alofte, 

709.   is  replaced  by  702  in  H. 

734.   purple  H.       737.   goldher  B. 

738.   coiffe]  corff  H,  coive  R  3  —  of  riche]  riche  off  B. 


7S6 
[P-  307] 

760 


BK.  vi]  The  Story  of  Spariacus  and  his  Churls 

His  cherlis  slayn;   &  sumwe  of  hem  nat  softe 

In  cheynys  bouwde,  for  short  conclusiouw,  748 

Wer  dempt  be  lawe  to  deien  in  prisoun. 

^  Bi  whichfe]  stori[es],  Bochas,  thou  maist  lere 

A  gret  parti  of  my  condiciouw. 

But  now  in  haste  a  stori  thou  shalt  heere,  752 

How  in  the  yeer  fro  the  fundaciouw 

Mor  than  sixe  hundred  —  I  meene  of  Roome  toun  — 

Was  a  gadryng  &  a  gret  cumpanye 

Togidre  sworn  bi  fals  conspiracye, 

Them  to  withdrawe  fro  the  obeisaunce* 
Of  a  tribun  calhd  Lodonee, 
Which  for  knihthod  hadde  gouernaunce. 
And  was  sent  dou?z  fro  Roome  [the]  cite 
With  myhti  hand  to  reule  a  gret  contre 
CalHd  Chaumpayne;   &  pleynH  for  to  seie. 
The  peeple  ther  list  hym  nat  obeie. 

Thre  score  &  foure  wer  of  hem  in  noumbre  764 

That  named  wer[e]  cheefF  conspirato^rs, 

Which  that  caste  hem  ther  capteyw  to  encouwbre 

With  multitude  of  theuis  &  robbours, 

Which  ches  among  hem  to  been  ther  supportowrs  768 

Thre  myhti  capteyns,  off  which  ther  was  oon 

Callid  Spartharchus,  cheuest  of  echon. 

Gadred  cherlis,  made  hemsiluen  strong, 
On  an  hih  hill  took  ther  duellyng  place, 
Hauyng  no  reward,  wer  it  riht  or  wrong, 
To  spoille  the  contre,  bestis  to  enchace. 
I  cherisshed  hem  with  a  benigne  face  • 
For  a  stsonn,  &  gaff  hem  liberte 
Bi  fals  rauyne  to  robbe  the  contre. 

What  thyng  mor  cruel  in  comparisoun 

Or  mor  vengable  of  will  &  nat  off  riht, 

Than  whan  a  cherl  hath  domynaciouw!  780 

Lak  of  discrecioun  bleendith  so  the  siht 

Of  comouneres,  for  diffaute  of  liht, 


695 


"From  these 
stories,  Bochas, 
you  may  learn 
to  know  me. 
"Now  I  will 
tell  you  how 
there  was  a 
conspiracy 
about  the  year 
600  of  Rome, 


when  the 
people  of 
Campania  would 
not  obey  the 
tribune. 


"There  were 
three  score  and 
four  chief  con- 
spirators, and 
Spartacus  was 
their  captain. 


772 


"They  gathered 
churls  together, 
and,  sallying 
forth  from  a 
hill  stronghold, 
ravaged  the 
country. 


776 


"For  a  time  I 
helped  them; 
but  what  is 
more  cruel  than 
a  knave  who 
has  power  to 
rule! 


750.  stones3  stori  J,  P. 

7SS.  &]  om.  J,  P  — gret]  om.  H. 

757.  obeisauTice]  presence  B,  J.       759.   hadde]  &  H. 

760.  the]  om.  J,  H. 

770.  Spartharchus]  Spartachus  R  3,  Spartacus  P  {throughout)  — 
cheuest]  chefF  H. 

771.  hymsilfH.         781.   siht]  liht  H.       782.   liht]  siht  H. 


696  The  Story  of  Spartacus  and  his  Churls         [^bk.  vi 

Whan  the!  haiie  povveer  contrees  to  gouerne 

Fare  lik  a  bceste  [that]  can  nothyng  disserne.         784 

'ci!wVidi7tor.,^''i^'i'''fo'"<^s  folkcs  dede  hem  calle; 
whofouRht  wild  Pqj.  (J^pj.  suerdis  wcr  with  steel  niaad  fvn 

animals;  and         i-.  -i  • 

tiiev  encamped  ^  or  to  fihte  Kcvn  wvldc  becstls  alle, 

on  Mt.  .       ,  II  11 

Veauviui.         As  lcoii?is,  Dcres,  bores,  Wilde  swyn.  788 

And  the  nioii/;teyn  wher  thei  dede  lyn 
CaUid  Yen  use,  and  thoruh  ther  cruelte 
Slouh  &  robbede  aboute  in  ech  contre. 

oto\?r!h""  Spartharchus  was  ther  cheefF  capteyn,  792 

and  came  of      Bfouht  up  of  nouht  &  bom  of  louh  dcgre; 

nothmg:  and         »->  'ii  •  i      •  t«  o       ' 

Claudius,  who    But  Claudius,  a  niyhti,  strong  Roniayn, 

was  sent  down    ...  .    ,  ■'  r         t^  i  • 

from  Rome  to    VVas  scnt  With  powcet  iro  Koome  the  cite 
country,  ^       For  to  difFcude  &  saue  that  contre,  796 

away."*^"        Tbc  hill  bcscgyng  afForn  hem  as  he  lay: 
He  was  rebukid,  bete  &  dryue  away. 

mi^n°y  o^f  Spar-  Many  of  them  that  kepte  the  mounteyn 

"ab*  '"*'"  ''"'Wer  hurt  that  day,  the  stori  tellith  thus,  800 

Amongis  which  was  slayn  a  gret  capteyn 

That  was  felawe  vnto  Spartharchus. 

As  I  fynde,  he  hihte  Ynomaus; 

For  whos  deth  was  take  so  gret  vengaunce,  804 

That  al  the  contre  felte  therof  greuaunce. 

«Ir7then'6int  Thei  of  the  mounteyn,  alle  off  oon  assent, 
"''^'l"  u'"'      Withoute  merci  or  remyssioun, 

and  both  were  iii  it 

put  to  flight,  to  Most  vengable,  haue  robbed  &  Ibrent  808 

the  shame  and      .  .      .  .  i 

fear  of  the       Al  the  contte  aboute  hem  envirouw, 

Til  too  consuleris  cam  fro  Roome  douw: 

The  firste  off  hem  callid  Lentulus, 

Bothe  put  to  fliht  be  said[e]  Spartarchus.         '       813 

'su^s'^me  down  Whcrof  the  Romeyns  gretli  wer  dismaied. 
"''i*  f  '^,'2" The  senatours  off  indignacioun, 

and  slew  36,000  ,0  _       ' 

°f  Spartacus'     Bothe  ashamed  and  in  hemsilfF  affraied, 

Sente  oon  Crassus,  a  gret  lord  of  the  toun,  8i6 

With  the  nou7?zbre  off  a  legiouw. 
And  whan  that  he  on  Spartarchus  first  sette, 
Slouh  of  his  men  six*  thousand  whan  thei  mette. 


792.   Spartacus  H,  Spartachus  R  3.       798.   dryue]  dreven  H. 

802.  Spartachus  H,  R  3,  Spargachus  H  5. 

803.  Oenomaus  P.       808.   vengeably  H  —  brent  P,  H  5. 
812.   be]  the  J  —  Spartachus  H,  R  3. 

818,  22,  34.   Spartachus  H,  R  3.      819.   six]  vj  B. 


BK.  Vl] 


Viriathus,  the  Spanish  Robber 


697 


820 


824 


"6ocx5  were  put 
in  prison  and 
g23  4000  taken  to 
mercy. 


832 


836 


"Spartacus  fled; 
and  I  cast  him 
from  my  wheel, 
for  he  was  but 
a  churl. 


And  aftirward  beside  a  gret  ryueer 
Callid  Salaire  thei  hadde  a  gret  bataile, 
Wher  Spartarchus  stood  in  gret  dauwgeer; 
For  his  cheer  and  contenauwce  gan  faille. 
Thretti  thousand  clad  in  plate  &  maille 
Wer  slayn  that  day,  ther  geyned  no  rauwsoun, 
Al  ther  capteyns  assigned  to  prisouw. 

Withoute  al  this,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 
Sixti  thousand  in  the  feeld  lay  ded. 
And  six  thousand  wer  sent  to  pnsouw, 
The  feeld  with  blood[e]  steyned  &  maad  red. 
And  foure  thousand,  quakyng  in  ther  dreed, 
Wer  thilke  day,  aftir  the  Romeyn  gise. 
Take  to  merci,  resceyued  to  franchise. 

And  Spartarchus  at  mischeefF  put  to  fliht. 
Whan  I  from  hym  turnyd  my  visage, 
He  loste  his  cheer;   he  loste  also  his  myht 
Whan  I  appalled  the  fyn  of  his  passage. 
And  for  he  was  a  cherl  off  his  lynage, 
Off  his  encres  I  likid  nothyng  weel, 
Therfor  vnwarli  I  cast  hym  fro  my  wheel. 

Off  [my]  maneres  to  make  a  gretter  preeff,      [p.  308]  otie "robber^"' 

Ther  was  another  famous  gret  robbour. 

Which  thoruh  Spaigne  was  a  disclaundrid  theeff. 

And  for  he  dradde  of  iustise  the  rigour,  844 

Trustyng  he  sholde  fynde  in  me  socour, 

Callid  Viriatus,*  he  Spaigne  anon  forsook 

And  to  Roome  the  riht[e]  weie  he  took. 

Gadred  meyne  of  his  condiciouw  848 

Of  eueri  sect  to  make  hymseluen  strong, 

Theuys,  robbours  of  eueri  regiouw. 

Many  a  cherl  was  medlid  hem  among. 

His  name  tencrece,  wer  it  riht  or  wrong,  852 

What-euer  he  gat  in  cite  or  village, 

With  his  soudiours  he  partede  the  pillage. 

Thus  be  myn  helpe  he  cam  to  gret  richesse. 
Which  brouhte  in  pride  &  presumpciouw;  856 

He  nat  prouided,  of  my  doubilnesse, 
Gan  to  maligne  ageyn[e]s  Rome  toun; 


840 


called  Viriathus, 
who  lived  in 
Spain, 


and  gathering 
men  set  out  to 
attack  Rome; 


for  through  my 
aid  he  had 
become  rich 
and  proud. 
But  he  was 
slain  by  Scipio, 
son  of  Lepidus. 


845.  fynde  in  m&]  in  me  fynde  H,  P. 

846.  Viriatus]  Vriatus  H,  R  3,  J,  Vrinatus  B,  J,  Vyratus  H  5. 
854.  the]  his  H.       858.   ageynes]  geyn  H. 


698  Fortuna  presents  Marias  to  Bochas  {bk.  vi 

But  hi  the  prudence  of  laste  Sclpioiwi, 

Sone  of  Lepidus,  inakyng  therof  no  host,  860 

He  slay[e]n  was  hi  tlieni  he  trustede  most. 

"Thu..  Bocii...  j^i  ^viii^^-li  cxaiimplcfs]  notable  of  reme7;ibraunce 

you  may  tct  ■       ^    > 

my  power  and   Shewed  hcer-tofom,  lohn  Bochas,  vnto  the, 

my  mutability.  . 

1  how  niaist  knovve  in  parti  my  pmssaunce,  864 

Mi  sodcyn  cliaii«gis.  my  iiuitabihtc. 

And  for  tauoidc  al  ambiguite, 

To  declare  the  somme  of  myn  entent, 

Grete  Marrius  to  the  I  do  presente.  868 

prelifntT'you   B'^'^  '"s  weede  &  his  habite  also, 

great  Mariuj.     J^js  hgj  vnkempt,  his  lokkis  hor  &  gray, 

clad  in  black.      .,..,,,  ^    '      .  ,  ~  ^     „ 

with  downcast    His  look  doiiM  cast  m  tokne  or  sorwe  &  wo, 
M^Wgrey      On  his  chcckis  thc  salt[e]  tcHs  lay,  872 

W'iiich  bar  record  off  his  dedli  affray,  — 
Wherfor,  Bochas,  do  thi  pen^ie  dresse 
To  descryue  his  mortal  heuynesse. 

«";ned°w^ith'"  His  robe  steyned  was  wnth  Romeyn  blood,  876 

^T*ii  h''^'    H'^  suerd  ay  redi  whet  to  do  vengauwce, 
delight  lay  in    Lilc  3  tiraunt  most  furious  &  wood, 

In  slauhtre  &  moordre  set  al  his  plesauwce. 

Yit  nat  for  thi  I  gaff  hym  gouernauwce  880 

Ouer  the  peeple,  ros  on  my  wheel  up  faste, 

But  as  vnwarli  doun  I  dede  hym  caste. 

aroI^'ber»"ee*n    Tween  hym  &  Scilla  the  woful  dedli  stryues 

biu  f  raade"^'  ^^  large  heerafftir,  Bochas,  thou  shalt  write,  —     884 

them  both  end  How  many  Romcyns  lost  hi  them  ther  lyues, 

m  mischief.  t-iii*  ii  i  t 

1  Will  also  in  ordre  that  thou  endite. 

And  yiff  I  shall  rebuke  hem  &  atwite, 

As  I  fro  nouht  made  hem  in  honour  shyne,  888 

So  I  ageynward  made  he^n  in  myscheef  fyne. 

chafgrtrwril",  Forget  nat  also  the  dedli  pitous  fate 

uuuVTbo'JA'^'  ^^  '""y"^  ^"^^^  ^^^  ^^  notable  in  his  lyff,  — 
Mithridates,      I  mecne  the  grete  famous  Mitridate,  892 

Whos  name  yit  is  ful  kouth  and  ryff. 
To  whom  I  gaff  a  gret  prerogatiff, 
Fourti  wyntir,  the  deede  was  weel  scene, 
Ageyn  Romeyns  the  werr*?  to  susteene.  896 


862.   which^  whos  H  —  exaumple  J. 
896.   werr^-^  werris  H. 


BK.  Vl] 


Orodes  of  Parthia  and  Pompey 


699 


For  which  heer-aftir  I  gyue  it  the  in  charge 

Of  Mitridate  the  stori  set  along; 

Whan  thou  hast  leiseer  &  a  space  large, 

Remembre  his  conquest  &  his  deedis  strong,  900 

And  how  that  I  medlid  me  among. 

For  al  his  noblesse  and  felicite, 

To  yiue  hym  part  of  gret  aduersite." 

^  Next  in  ordre,  aftir  hir  owne  chois, 

Fortune,  vntrusti  vpon  ech  partie, 

To  lohn  Bochas  hath  conveied  fro  Parthois 

Strong  Herodes  regnyng  in  Parthie. 

"Loo,  lohn,"  quod  she,  "tak  heed  of  this  storie, 

Al  his  kynreede,  yiff  it  be  weel  out  souht, 

Wer  be  Sithiens  chacid  &  brouht  to  nouht. 

And  yit,  for  al  my  mutabilite, 

Somme  of  hem  which  stood[e]  disespeired 

I  restored  to  ther  dignite, 

Vnto  which  whan  thei  wer  repeired, 

This  Herodes  was  hyndred  &  appeired 

Bi  my  chaunges  for  his  hatful  pride, 

Whan  he  lest  wende,  vnwarli  set  aside." 

^  Suyng  aftir  withynwe  a  litil  while, 

This  gerissh  ladi  of  condicioun 

Gan  an  illouh  falsli  for  to  smyle, 

Lookyng  on  Bocha/,  brouhte  with  hir  dou« 

A  myhti  prince,  which  in  Rome  toun 

Hadde  in  his  daies  notable  pris  &  fame, 

Al-be  that  she  expressed  nat  his  name.  924 

Bochas  thanne  his  hed  gan  doun  declyne,        [p.  309] 

Seyng  that  prince,  of  face  disfigured. 

Of  suspeciouw  gan  to  ymagyne. 

Whan  he  his  mynde  fulli  hath  recurid,  928 

Be  certeyn  toknis  &  signes  weel  assured 

It  was  Pompeie,  surquedous  of  estat. 

Which  with  Cesar  so  longe  was  at  debat. 

Disconsolat  thoruh  his  vnhappi  caas,  932 

His  face  soiled  with  water  of  the  se, 

Tyme  whan  Fotynus  &  cruel  Achillas 

Drowned  his  bodi  of  furious  enmyte. 

His  face  disfigured  at  the  solempnite  936 

911.  yit]  t><2t  H.      916.   Bi]  to  H. 
920.   illouh]  alouh  R  3,  yll  laughyng  P. 


whom  I  helped 
make  war 
against  Rome 
for  forty 
years." 


Next  in  order 
9   4  came  Orodes 
of  Parthia.  And 
Fortune  said, 
"Lo,  John,  all 
his  kindred 
were  defeated 
by  the  Scy- 
90S  thians,  although 
some  were  re- 
stored to  their 
dignity." 


912 


916 


Soon  afterwards 
Fortune  began 
to  smile 
falsely,  and 
020  caused  a  mighty 
Roman  prince 
to  appear. 


And  Bochas, 
looking  closely 
at  his  disfigured 
countenance, 
saw  that  it  was 
Pompey,  who 
was  so  long  at 
war  with 
Cassar. 


Disconsolate,  his 
face  was  soiled 
with  smoke  and 
by  the  water  of 
the  sea; 


yoo 


Fortunas  Play  with  Pompey 


[bk.  VI 


corptc  to  be 
burnt. 

Fortune  then 
uiJ  io  tcorn; 


"  I   raited  hit 
glory  to  the 
heavens  and 
enabled  him  to 
give  battle  to 
Cscaar, 


With  smokes  blakc,  dedli  &  mortall, 
Callid  of  clerkis  the  feeste  funerall. 

[au^'^hiV  *'*'*  Codrus  caused  that  the  corps  was  brent 
And  consumed  into  asshes  dcde; 
To  Cesar'aftir  his  hcd  was  born  &  sent 
Vpon  a  pole,  his  stori  who  Hst  reede. 
Afttir  al  this,  Hochas  took  good  heede, 
How  Fortune  bamaner  mokerie, 
In  scorn  of  hym  gan  thus  to  specefie: 

"Vp  to  the  heuene  aftir  his  deuys 
I  gan  enhaunce  &  encrece  his  glorie. 
Bi  my  fauour  I  gaff  hym  many  a  pris, 
Conquest  of  kynges  with  many  gret  victorle; 
And  mor  to  putte  his  noblesse  in  memorie, 
Bi  my  support  thoruh  his  cheualrie, 
With  Cesar  luUus  to  holde  chauwpartie. 

"elrd'^'hln!  my  And  whil  that  I  my  fauour  did  applie 
favour  his        Toward  hym  his  victories  to  assure, 

fame  arose  until  -'  ...       _,,  . 

I  withdrew  it    His  fame  aros,  til  that  m  Thesahe 

again.  _  •   i    j  i  • 

1  gan  withdrawe  his  parti  to  socoure, 
Suffryng  his  enmyes  make  disconfiture 
Vpon  this  Pompeie,  hyndred  in  my  siht, 
Whan  he  to  Lesbos  at  myscheeff  took  his  fliht. 

taken  "nd*^*^  ^**  ^^  ^^^  seruauntis  of  yonge  Tholome, 
slain:  I  gave     Regnyng  in  Egipt,  Pompeie  in  his  dreed 

him  up,  and  heo-'o  or'  r 

lost  his  head.    Was  take  &  slayn;   he  fond  no*  help  in  mee: 

\  et  no  man      t  r  i  o  11  i   •      1        1 

takes  heed  of    1  gat  hym  vp;   &  so  he  lost  his  hed. 

my  changes,        x--         r  1  1111 

eicept  that  you  I  It  01  my  chaunges  no  man  taketh  heed, 
them"in*^your^*  Nor  how  vnseurli  I  cast  my  dreedful  look, 
^^^'  Sauf  thou  art  besi  to  sette  hem  in  thi  book." 

Bochas  astoned,  parcel  of  hir  presence, 
Bothe  of  cheer[e],  face  and  contenaunce, 
And  in  this  while  hauyng  his  aduertence, 
Thouhte  he  sauh  a  maneer  resemblaunce 
Of  a  persone,  which  stood  in  gret  greuaunce; 
Til  at  the  laste  Fortune  caste  hir  sihte 
Toward  Bochas,  &  told[e]  what  he  hihte: 

947.  I]  om.  H. 

957.  make]  makyng  a  H,  make  a  P,  R  3,  H  5. 

962.  no]  non  B. 

965.  vnseurli]  vnseemly  H,  vnsemly  R  3,  H  5. 

969.  his]  this  H.      971.   which]  which  t»at  H,  R  3. 


940 


944 


948 


952 


956 


960 


964 


968 


972 


BK.  Vl3 


The  Story  of  Gains  Marius 


701 


"This  is,"  quod  she,  "pleynli  to  termyne, 

The  famous  man,  [the]  prynce  of  elloquence 

That  gaf  to  Latynes  the  scole  &  the  doctrine 

Of  rethorik,  as  welle  of  that  science. 

For  which  I  will  thou  do  thi  dilligence 

To  write  with  othir  of  this  Tullius 

Al  hool  the  caas,  &  gynne  at  Marrius." 

^  These  woordes  saide.  Fortune  made  an  eende; 

She  beet  hir  wynges  &  took  hir  to  the  fliht: 

I  cannat  seie  what  weie  she  dede  weende, 

Sauf  Bochas  tellith,  lich  an  auwgel  briht 

At  hir  partyng  she  shewed  a  gret  liht. 

But  as  soone  as  she  gan  disapeere. 

He  took  his  penwe  [&]  wrot  as  ye  shal  heere. 


976 


"This  is 
Tullius,"  said 
she,  "the 
famous  man 
who  taught  the 
Romans  the 
arts  of  rhetoric 
and  oratory." 


980 

Telling  Bochas 
to  begin  with 
Marius,  Fortune 
flapped  her 
wings 

and  flew  away 
984  in  a  great  light. 


{]How  Gayus  Marrius,  of  low  birthe  bom/  cam  to 
high  estat  whiche  blent  'with  couetise  after  many 
grete  batailes  deied  att  mischeef .]  ^ 

HEER  Bochaj-  gynweth  to  tellen  of  {)e  man       988 
Callid  in  his  tyme  Gayus  Marius, 
Born  at  Apnna[s],  a  castel  of  Tuscan, 
Sone  of  a  carpenteer,  the  stori  tellith  thus, 
Pursued  armys,  manli  &  vertuous;  992 

Thoruh  al  Rome  nor  in  that  contre 
Was  ther  no  man  hold  so  strong  as  he. 

Disciplyne  and  gret  subtilite 

He  hadde  also,  as  bookis  specefie,  996 

Prudence,  manhod  and  habilite 

Bothe  in  armys  and  in  cheualrie. 

Most  famous  holde  toward  that  partie, 

Withynwe  a  while,  rayn  auctour  seith  certeyn,      1000 

Chose  a  tribun  &  a  gret  capteyn. 

But  fro  the  gynyng  of  his  tendre  age, 

As  histories  put  in  remembrauwce. 

He  was  priked  so  sore  in  his  corage  1004 

Bagredi  fret  of  long  contynuauwce, 

Neuer  to  staunch[e]  with  non  habuwdaunce;  — 

975.   2nd  the]  om.  J.      977.   that]  ^t  H. 

987.  &]  om.  H,  J,  R  3. 

988.  tellen]  writen  H. 

990.   Aprina  J,  Arpynas  H  5,  Arpinas  P. 

1003.   histories]  stories  H.       1005.   by  a  gredy  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  126  recto. 


Gaius  Marius 
was  born  at 
Arpinum  in 
Tuscany.     He 
was  the  son  of 
a  carpenter, 


strong  and  well 
disciplined, 
prudent    and 
able  in  arms. 


Chosen  first  a 
tribune,  he  later 
became  a  great 
captain,  but 
was  always 
covetous. 


702  The  Story  of  Gains  Marius  [^BK.  vi 

The  world  nor  Fortune,  with  al  ther  gr^t  richesse, 
Surtiscd  iiat  tappese  his  grcdynesse.  1008 

iliw  hii^'to"""  Entryng  a  temple  he  fond  a  dyuynour,  [p.  310] 

Kv>  to  Rome.      Coinjsailed  [hiinl  ther  hi  his  dyuynaille 

where  he  ^  i      i  i         i  • 

.htHiiJ  not  f.ii  Icntre  Rome  &:  holde  ther  soiour, 

to  ri»c  to  hittli     ,,.  ,  1    I        1     1-  -11 

office.  Ml  good  aiiys  anil  kinntli  apparaille;  1012 

Made  hym  promys  that  he  slial'nat  faille 
I  atteync  he  fauour  of  the  comounte 
To  gret  offis  &  staat  in  the  cite. 

"n.^«Ttho*igh  Fauour  of  comouws  brouht  hyw  to  hih  estat,         1016 
the  Sen.tc        |^i  them  resceyued  vnto  the  dignite 

tcorned  hi5  low         ,  i    i  i  i 

birth.  Ot  consuleer,  al-be  that  the  senat 

Hadde  disdeyn  off  his  felicite, 

Because  he  was  born  of  louh  degre.  1020 

Grau?itid  to  hym  after  be  the  toun 
To  conquere  rewmys  a  comwyssiouw. 

mUsb^^to  iMd"  He  gat  the  prouynce  thoruh  his  hih  renoun 

the  Roman       Qf  Numcdic,  as  he  dede  hem  assaile,  1024 

IcRions,   he  con-    .        ,  ,        ,        ,  (.     ■, 

quered  Numidia  And  tooK  the  Kyng  ot  that  regiouw 

and  captured       /-,    n-  i    x  jr   •       l.  -1 

juRurtha,  for     Lallid  lugutta  ptoudli  m  bataile. 

which  he  was       t^  i   •    i  •         i   •  •    i  *11 

given  a  triumph.  1"  or  whicli  emprisc  bi  marcial  apparaille 

He  gat  the  tryuwphe,  thoruh  the  toun  ridyng,      1028 
Because  onli  for  takywg  of  that  kyng. 

b]ifev°d"rh°a"t'    -^"^  ^^^  ^^  ^^^s  ^  persone  so  notable 
all  their  pros-    Por  many  famous  sodeyn  gret  victorie, 

pcrity  lay  in  -^  i  rr       i  i 

his  hand;         iNamli  m  conquest  preued  promtable,  1032 

To  al  the  comoun,  as  put  is  in  memorie; 
And  for  thencres  of  his  renouw  &  glorie, 
Bi  thoppynyoun  hool  of  the  cite, 
In  his  hand  lay  al  ther  prosperite.  1036 

mlny'n^adons'  Agcyn  a  pccplc  that  calHd  was  Tymbrois, 

into  subjcctioTi  Them  to  conqucre  fro  Rome  he  was  sent  dionn, 

to  Rome,  and  -  »  .  .  .  ' 

overcame  the     Also  agcyn  the  boistous  Tigumois, 

Cimbn  and  the   „      ,       °    -^       .  ,  .  °  .  ' 

Tigurini,  who    (jadrcd  togidre  or  many  naciourt.  1040 

took"u^n°"' '^  Alle  them  he  brouhte  to  subieccioun, 

pa'r^rmoun-  Lik  as  Romcyns  hadde  aflForn  desired, 

tains  of  Italy,    ggcause  thci  hadde  ageyn  ther  toun  conspired. 

1010.  him]owz.J.       1012.   good]  goodly  H.       1016.   hih]  gret  H. 

103 1,  gret]  om.  H.       1032.   Namli]  manly  H. 

1033.  comouw]  comons  H. 

1036.  ther]  ^e  H. 


BK.  Vl3 


The  Story  of  Gains  Marius 


703 


Thei  took  upon  hem  of  fals  presuwpcioun 
To  passen  alle  the  mounteyns  of  Itaille, 
First  discouwfited,  as  maad  is  menciouw, 
Thre  Romeyn  dukis  felli  in  bataille, 
Four  scorre  thousand  clad  in  plate  &  maile 
Slayw  of  Romeyns,  the  stori  is  weel  knowe, 
Vnder  Thalpies  at  myscheef  ouerthrowe. 

This  Marrius  of  marcial  auenture 
In  Germanye  hadde  a  gret  bataille 
With  Tewtobochus,  a  geauwt  of  stature, 
Put  first  to  fliht  with  al  his  apparaille; 
For  Marrius  dide  hym  so  sore  assaille, 
At  the  chas[e]  proudli  born  to  grouwde, 
Maugre  his  miht,  tak  &  in  cheynis  bouwde. 

Marrius  aftir  with  his  host  hym  drouh 
Toward  the  peeple  off  Cymbrois  for  to  fiht: 
Too  hundred  thousand*,  I  fynde,  of  hem  he  slouh, 
Eihte  thousand  take,  thre  thousand  put  to  fliht; 
Kyng  Bolerus,  a  ful  famous  kniht, 
Slayn  in  the  feelde,  for  al  his  gret[e]  pride, 
Ageyn  Marrius  as  he  dide  ride. 

That  day  of  Cymbrois  was  al  the  peeple  slayw. 
The  women  afFtir  he  list  nat  to  reserue; 
Yit  thei  proffered  &  wolde  haue  be  ful  fayn 
Ther  chastite  deuoutli  to  obserue. 
In  the  temple  of  Vesta  for  to  serue. 
But  ther  request[e]  for  he  list  nat  heere. 
With  hym  thei  fauht;   echon  slayn  ifeere. 

Except  that  sumwe,  whan  thei  sauh  non  othir 

Remedi,  of  purpds  thei  wer  set, 

Euerich  of  them  to  slen  &  moordren  othir; 

And  somme  thouhte  also  that  it  was  bet 

To  hang  hemsilff  vpon  an  hih  gibet. 

Than  tabide  of  Marius  the  outrage, 

Perpetueli  to  lyuen  in  seruage. 

Thus  Marius  of  thre  naciouns 

Thoruh  his  conquest  complisshed  the  victorie. 

With  prisoneres  of  sondri  regiouns 


1044 


1048 


He  also  put 
the  Teutones  to 

10?  2  fl'S^*^  ^"'^  '^°°'' 
•^     their  leader 

prisoner. 


1056 


1060 


Afterwards  he 
slew  200,000  of 
the  Cimbri  and 
captured  8000. 


1064 

They  were  all 
slain,  even  the 
women,  who 
would  gladly 
have  served  in 
the  Temple  of 
1068  Vesta. 


Some  slew  one 
^°7^  another  and  the 
rest  hanged 
themselves. 


1076 


Thus  Marius 
conquered  three 
1080  ""ions. 

He  was  chosen 
consul  six  times. 


1047.  Thre]  \)e  H.       1050.   Vnder]  ovir  H. 

1060.  thousand]  peeple  B,  J. 

1062.  Bolerus]  Borelus  H  5,  Beleus  P. 

1080.  complisshed]  accowplisshid  H,  R  3. 


704  Tht  Wars  of  Marius  and  Sulla  [bk.  VI 

Entrccl  Rdoine  to  his  encrcs  of  glorie. 

With  special  hiudcs  notable  of  memoiie: 

First  the  tryuwphe,  a  guerdoun  synguleer,  1084 

He  tymes  sexe  chose  a  consulcer. 

u°^ur7bieVo    Thus  Fortunc  was  to  hyin  fauourable, 
him  «t  fim.  but  Xo  sette  hyni  up  in  worldli  dicnites 

Utcr  on  ihe  i  i-  i  i  11 

became  advcrie.  for  a  sesoii/j;    hilt  for  slie  was  ciiaiw/gable,  1088 

Among  hir  gifttes  ^'  giet  prosperites 
She  gaf  hyni  part  of  gret  aduersites: 
And  specialli  the  tyme  acoiujtid  than, 
Tween  hym  &  Scilla  whan  the  werris  gan.  1092 

MiriuV»"gr*eat   Lucyus  Scilla  ahidyng  in  Chau7npayne,  [p.  311] 

enemy.  Matrius  at  Roome  tho  present, 

Whan  the  diuysioun  gan  atween  hem  tweyne, 

Ech  to  other  contrarie  of  entent,  1096 

Malencolius  and  inpacient, 

W^hich  of  bothe,  the  stori  weel  co?tceyued, 

To  gouerne  sholde  sonnest  be  receyued. 

Rome'fg^nst    ^^  sodenli,  wher  it  wer  riht  or  wrong,  iioo 

him,  Toward  Roome  takyng  his  passage, 

Ageyn  Marrius  to  make  hymseluen  strong, 

Gan  slen  &  brenne,  &  of  gret  outrage, 

Wilful,  hasti,  furious  of  corage,  1104 

For  sodeyn  komyng  &  vnwar  violence 

Ageyn[e]s  hym  fond[e]  no  resistence. 

dtyTJdk'X''''  Too  myhti  batailles  he  dede  with  hym  leede, 
Capitol.  Entryng  the  cite,  gan  thoruh  the  wal[le]  myne;     1108 

W^ith  o  bataille  faste  gan  hym  speede 
To  passe  the  gate  callid  Aquilyne 
(The  tothir  gat[e]  namyd  was  Colyne), 
At  whos  entryng,  bi  record  of  the  book,  1112 

Scilla  be  strengthe  the  Capitoile  took. 

wUh"hVp^Si'e'^  But  whan  Marrius  hadde  knowlechyng 

into  a  marsh,    That  SciUa  haddc  so  gret  poweer  &  myht, 

tured  and  sent  W^ithoutc  arcst  or  Icngcr  abidyng,  1116 

to  prison.  y  •     /-^  •! 

Into  a  mans  (jayus  anon  riht 

With  al  his  peeple  took  sodenli  his  fliht. 

Fet  out  be  strengthe,  koude  hym  nat  difFende, 

Scilla  aftir  to  pnsou?t  dede  hym  sende.  1120 

1089.  hir]  his  H.  1097.  ImpacientH.  1098.  stori]  tothir  H. 
1099.  sonnest  shulde  H,  sonest  shold  R  3.  11 17.  Marish  P. 
1 1 19.   be]  vfith  H. 


BK.  Vl3 


The  Wars  of  Marius  and  Sulla 


705 


Thus  the  prowesse  for  a  while  slepte 
Of  Marrius  Hggyng  in  prisoun. 
Scilla  that  tyme  the  Capitoille  kepte, 
Wherbi  al  Roome  stood  in  subiecciouw. 
And  of  hatrede  in  haste  he  sente  doun 
A  sturdi  cherl  to  Marius  in  his  dreed, 
Whil  he  lay  bounde  to  smyten  of  his  hed. 

This  cherl  weel  compact  of  brauw  &  of  bonys, 

Sent  of  purpos  Marrius  for  toppresse,* 

For  his  strengthe  ordeyned  for  the  nonys,  — 

To  the  prisouM  the  cherl  ga«  faste  hym  dresse, 

Wher  Marrius  was  fetrid  in  distresse, 

FuUi  in  purpos,  withoute  mor  delay. 

To  heuedyn  hym  in  prisoun  ther  he  lay. 

Losed  hym  first,  Hggyng  on  his  couche; 
And  Marius  [a]roos  up  lik  a  man. 
The  cherl  feerful  to  smyte  or  to  touche. 
And  Marius  ful  proudli  tho  began 
To  entre  a  place  beside  of  a  woman, 
Fond  an  asse  ther  of  auenture, 
Vpon  whos  bak  the  se  he  gan  recure. 

Toward  AlFrik  ther  he  fond  passage, 

Bi  enprisownyng  thouh  he  wer  wex[e]  feynt; 

Yit  ther  abood,  stille  in  his  corage, 

Hih  worthynesse  with  prudence  meynt, 

Which  in  his  persone  wer*  nat  [fully]  queynt, 

Ageyn  the  malis  to  make  a  couwtirtaille, 

Off  proude  Scilla  the  malis  eft  tassaile. 

Of  Itaille  rood  thoruh  the  contre. 
Took  his  viage  towarde*  Roome  toun, 
With  foure  batailes  entreth  the  cite, 
Sixe  hundrid  knihtis  be  computacioun 
Slayn  in  the  feeld,  as  maad  is  menciouw. 
Wher  men  may  seen,  who  list  looke  a-ferre, 
What  damage  diuysiouw  doth  in  werre. 


Sulla  kept  Rome 
under  his  sub- 
jection and  sent 
a  sturdy  knave 
to  smite  off 
Marius's  head 
1 1 24  while  he  lay 
bound. 


1128 


II32 


II36 


After  he  had 
loosened  his 
bonds  the  churl 
was  afraid  to 
strike,  and 
Marius  escaped 
on  an  ass 


1 140 


to  the  sea  and 
thence  to  Africa, 
where  he  dwelt 
until  he  was 
1 144  able  to  give 
^  battle  to  Sulla 
again. 


II48 

Returning  to 
Rome,  he 
entered  the 
city,  with  four 
battalions;  and 
600  knights 
1 152  were  slain, 


1 1 23  is  misplaced  at  end  0/  stanza  and  marked  a,  1 1 24  is  marked 
b,  H. 

1 128.  2nd  of]  om..  H. 

1 129.  to  oppresse  B. 

1 146.  wer]  was  B,  H  —  fully]  om.  J,  P. 
1 150.  towarde]  thoruh  B. 


7o6 


The  Wars  of  Marius  and  Sulla 


[bk.  VI 
1156 


1 160 


Cnisus  and 
Catulu*. 


1 164 


1 168 


inciudinK  the     pj^j.^.  [^[  j.|,p  nianliod  oft'  this  Marius, 

great  o.'tnsul  •        1         1  •  1 

(x-uviu.,  whose  Ip  fiiis  clyuisiou;!,  tlic  stoM  wlio  list  reedc, 

hc«d  w«»  »et  II-  1   /  \ 

on  a  pole.  [  he  gTctc  consul  callul  (.^ctaiiyus 

Lost  his  hcd[e]  &  his  lyft"  in  deedc;  — 

Vpon  a  pole  whil  it  dedc  bleede 

Was  criitUi  proscntid  of  ciitent 

Tofor  the  iuges  sittyng  in  iugcment. 
Mcruia  priest    Qf  yr\~^Q^  dethfcl  sumwc  of  heiii  wer  fayn, 

01  the    I  emple  ^       ^  _^*  . 

0}  Jupiter,  was  Suniwic  sofi,  of  louc  as  thei  wer  bounde. 

alao  slain,  and       .        ,    .  i   •  a  /r  i  i 

And  in  this  werre  Merula  was  slay;^, 
Freest  in  the  temple,  lik  as  it  is  founde, 
Of  lubiter,  with  many  mortal  wounde. 
The  Romey/i  slayn  that  callid  was  Crassus; 
With  fyr  consumyd  was  proude  Catulus. 
Marius  held  his  y^jjg  j^jg  gnmycs  Matius  dede  encoumbre, 

own  against  •     ^  ^  j  ^  ^ 

hit  enemies       Which  ageyn  hym  be  conspiraciouw 
Wer  assentid  with  a  ful  gret  nouwbre 
In  ther  auys  for  to  haue  put  hym  doun, 
Take  from  hym  his  domynacioun. 
But  he  abood  the  torment  &  the  shours, 
Strong  to  condempne  alle  his  conspiratOMrs. 

cons'uTsV''"^"  ^^^^  tymes,  afforn  rehersed  heer, 

$!.'""•    ^         Of  condicioun  thouh  he  wer  despitous, 

Finally,  rortune  »  , 

turned  away     He  was  chosc  SO  otte  consulcer; 

from  him.  rw-t   t-> 

111  fortune  gan  wexen  envious 

Ageyn  this  saide  cruel  Marius, 

Which  made  the  senat  with  al  the  cheualrie 

To  gruchche  ageyn  his  hatful  tiranwye. 

In  this  tyme,  the  stori  maketh  mynde, 
Damasippus,  a  pretour  of  the  touw, 
Freendli  to  Marius  &  helpyng,  as  I  fynde, 
Vnder  a  shadwe  of  decepcioun 
Vnto  ther  cite  for  to  do  tresouw, 
Causyng  foure  Romeyns  come  I-feere 
ToflFor  Marrius  a  certeyn  day  tappeere. 

iS^.^i'tius^nd"'  ■^"^  ^^^^  namys  to  putte  in  memorie, 

Antistius  to      Sceuola,  Carbo  and  Domycius,  1192 

Marius,  whom  r  i  rr*     i  •    i        l 

he  slew  un-      The  fourthe  oft  them,  as  seith  the  ston, 

lawfully.  /^    If  ^    •       T\  1  •         A        •• 

Calhd  in  Roome  the  wise  Antistius. 

> 

1 173.   ther3  ]>at  H. 

1179.   offten  H.       1186.   helpyng^  helpely  H,  helply  R  3. 

I188.    do]  om.  H.       1192.    Sevola  H  —  Carbo]  Cotta  P. 


1172 

1176 
[p.  312] 

1 180 


At  this  time 
Damasippus 
sent  four 
Romans, 


1 184 


1 188 


BK.  Vl] 


The  Wars  of  Marius  and  Sulla 


707 


Togidre  assemblid  tofor  Marrius, 

He  of  rancour,  geyn  iugement  or  lawe, 

Made  hem  be  slayn  &  thoruh  the  cite  drawe. 

Ther  bodies  aftir  wern  in  Tibre  cast 

Bi  cruelte  of  saide  Marius. 

Alle  this  while  the  cruel  werre  last 

Tween  hym  &  Scilla,  til  duk  Campanyus 

Cam  on  the  parti,  hard[y]  &  despitous, 

To  helpe  Scilla  ther  baneres  first  displaied, 

Wherof  al  Roome  was  sodenli  afFraied. 

At  the  gate  that  callid  was  Colyne 
Marrie  &  Scille  hadde  a  gret  bataille,  — 
Foure  score  thousand,  the  nouwbre  to  termyne 
On  Marrius  side  slayn,  it  is  no  faille; 
Scilla  victorious,  with  marcial  apparaille 
Entryng  the  town,  ageyn  his  oth,  parde, 
Thre  thousand  citeseyns  slouh  of  the  cite. 

Of  folk  disarmyd  &  naked  in  the  touw, 
Thei  nouther  spared  old  nor  yong  of  age, 
The  cruel  moordrers  walkyng  up  nor  doun 
Be  Scilla  sent  in  that  mortal  rage. 
Till  Catullus,  a  prince  fall  in  age, 
Saide  vnto  Scilla,  "we  can  no  difference 
Atween  rebelliouw  nor  atween  innocence; 

We  moordre  &  slen  withoute  excepcioun 
Both  hih  &  louh,  holdyng  no  maneere; 
Ageyn  al  knihthod,  to  myn  oppynyoun, 
We  do  proceede  in  our  conquest  heere,  — 
Our  title  is  lost  the  tryuwphe  to  requere 
Of  hih  prowesse,  whan  we  canat  obserue 
No  difference  to  slen  nor  [to]  reserue." 

And  in  this  while,  of  hatful  cruelte 
Scilla  contreued  lettres  diffamable, 
Wherbi  fyue  hundred  out  of  that  cite 
Wer  falsli  banshed,  citeseyns  notable,  — 
Ageyn[e]s  hem  he  was  so  vntretable,  — 
Alle  ther  goodes  achetid  in  that  rage 
Of  auarice  and  of  fals  pillage. 


1 196 


Their  bodies 
were  thrown 
into  the  Tiber. 
Duke  Cam- 
1200  Panus  aided 
Sulla, 


1204 


1208 


and  Marius 
was  defeated  in 
a  great  battle, 
losing  four 
score  thousand 
of  his  men. 


Sulla  massacred 
the  people  until 
an  old  prince 
named  Catullus 


1216 


1220 


remonstrated 
with  him,  say- 
ing   that  if 
they  continued 
thus  to  slaugh- 
ter they  would 
have  no  title  of 
triumph. 


1224 


Sulla  also  ban- 
ished 500  not- 
ables and  con- 
fiscated their 
1228  goods  out  of 
avarice. 


1232 


1 195.   afforn  H.       1202. 
1204.  was]  wer  H. 
1216.   Catallus  H. 


on]  vnto  J,  to  P,  on  in  H  5. 


7o8  Thf  Death  of  Gains  Marius  [bk.  vi 

A  brother  of      Aiiothcr  Romcvii  nanivtl  Marrius, 

Manut  hid  in  »  i     "    •  -"      i  r        t         l  J 

a  Roat-houM:      Biotlicr  to  Maiiius,  ot  wliow  totor  1  tolde, 
to  Catuiuja      For  drccd  of  Scilla  flcdde  &  took  an  hoiis 
irave,  Which  vnto  goot  was  set  up  for  a  foolde;  1236 

Foiuid  &  rent  out  in  his  dales  olde, 
With  cordcs  drawe  (no  rcscus  inyhte  hym  saue) 
Of  cruel  vengau?ice  to  Catullus  graue, 

commanded  iiii  ^^  ^i^ ^  SclUa  made  bi  cruel*  iugement,  1240 

eye*  to  be        With  a  shato  suerd[e],  forcid  for  to  bite, 

torn  out,  his  ,'.         .         "^    ^  "^ 

hand,  smitten    Aftit  tyme  His  eien  wer  out  rent, 

heid^io  be' set  Bothe  attonys  his  handis  of  to  smyte. 

wn * trlvurlui.  His  hcd  smet  of,  no  raujzsoun  myhte  hym  quite,^i244 
Set  on  a  pole,  it  wolde  be  non  othir. 
And  off  despiht[c]  sent  vnto  his  brothir, 

Mariu.  himself  Jq  prfete  Matius,  of  whom  I  spak  now  riht,  — 

was  in  great  «^  '  ,       ,  *  ' 

danger;  ^hc  gtete  duk,  SO  iTiihti  &  SO  hugc,  1248 

Which  hadde  afforn[e]  tak  hyw  to  the  fliht 
For  feer  of  Scilla  in  that  mortal  deluge, 
Into  a  cite  to  fynde  ther  refuge, 

Callid  Preueste,  ther  stondyng  in  gret  dreed,         1252 
Namli  whan  he  beheeld  his  brothris  hed. 

ffi  T;.'"  ^*     For-asmoche  as  he  no  soco^r  fond, 

Dft»T      Ills 

he°deraire"'^    Discspclred,  this  was  his  purpos: 
and  drawing     To  slcn  hymsilff[e]  with  his  owne  bond  1256 

his  servant  kill  In  thilke  place  wher  he  was  kept[e]  cloos. 
""■  Drouh  out  a  suerd,  up  anon  he  roos, 

Constreyned  his  seruaunt  in  that  sodeyn  affray 
Smyte  off  his  hed,  the  silue  same  day.  1260 

^a?  d^arh'fs^     ^  Men  seen  how  deth  is  fyn  of  al  myscheeff,  [p.  313] 
the  end  of  all  Eende  ofF  aducrsite  that  doth  wrechchis  tarie. 

trouble  and 

adversity.         Fortune  hcet  maketh  another  preefF 

Fortune  once        t       n  t         •  i  i        i   • 

more  shewed  in  In  Mamus,  how^  shc  hir  cours  can  vane,  1264 

Mlrfus^ow       Bi  an  euidence  hatful  and  contrarie 
her  course*'^''     To  shcwe  hir  malis  and  vngoodliheed 

Ageyn  this  duk,  alas,  whan  he  was  ded. 

This  frowarde*  ladi,  of  malis  most  vengable,         1268 

Whan  hir  list  furiousli  to  raue 

And  shewe  hirsilfF[e]  cruel  &  vnstable, 

1^39.   Catallus  H.       1240.   cruel]  gret  B. 

1268.  frowarde]  frowardli  B. 

1269.  H  repeats  here  the  2nd  line  of  preceding  stanza,  but  alters 
last  word  to  rave. 


BK.  vi]  No  Man  is  gentle  except  by  his  Deeds 


709 


To  non  estat  she  list  no  reward  haue. 

Causede  Marius  be  take  out  of  his  graue  1272 

Bi  cruel  Scilla,  in  stori  it  is  founde, 

His  ougli  careyn  smet  on  pecis  rouwde. 

And  aftir,  mor  to  shewe  his  cruelte,  — 

Marrius  sholde  haue  no  burying  place,  —  1276 

Caste  his  careyn,  of  kankrid  enmyte, 

Into  Tibre,  ther  was  non  othir  grace. 

Loo,  thus  can  Fortune  for  hir  folk  purchace! 

Bi  which  exauwple  touchyng  Marrius,  1280 

Off  worldli  chauwges  Bochas  writeth  thus, 

Maketh  in  this  chapitle  a  descripsioun. 

First  what  thyng  is  verray  gentilesse. 

To  sette  a  preefF  &  a  probacioun,  1284 

No  thyng  atteyneth  vnto  hih  noblesse 

But  the  cleer  shynyng  of  vertuous  clennesse, 

Which  may  nat  shewe,  in  louh  nor  hih*  parage, 

But  wher  it  groweth  out  of  a  peur  corage.  1288 

Worldli  poweer,  oppressiouw,  tiranwye, 

Erthli  tresour,  gold,  stonis  nor  richesse 

Be  no  menys  vnto  gent[e]rie, 

But-yif  vertu  reule  ther  hih  prowesse:  1292 

For  wher  vices  haue  any  interesse 

In  hih[e]  berthe,  mene,  or  louh  kynreede, 

Deeme  no  man  gentil,  but  onli  bi  his  deede. 

In  roial  paleisis  of  ston  &  metal  wrouht,  1296 

With  galleries  or  statli  cloistres  rouwde, 

Gentilesse  or  noblesse  is  nat  souht, 

Nor  in  cileris  nor  in  voutis  rounde; 

But  onli  ther  wher  vertu  doth  habouwde:  1300 

Corious  clothes  nor  gret  pocessiouws 

Maketh  nat  men  gentil  but  cowdic[i]ouns. 

Philisophres  conclude*  in  ther  entent 

And  alle  thes  worthi  famous  old  auctowrs,  1304 

No  man  may  quethe  in  his  testament 

Gentilesse  vnto  his  successours; 

Of  wikked  weed[e]  come  non  holsum  flours. 

Concludyng  thus:   of  good [e]  men  &  shrewes,        1308 

Calle  ech  man  gentil  aftir  his  good[e]  thewes. 

1274.  on]  in  H.     1282.   chapiter  H  5,  Chapter  P. 

1283.  gentilnesse  H.       1287.   hih  nor  louh  B,  P. 

1292.  hih]  his  H.       1293.   haue]  hath  H.       1299.   Sileer«  H. 

1303.  concluden  B.       1305.   questh  H. 


After  his 
burial,  Sulla 
had  his  body 
dug  up  again, 
and  his  ugly 
corpse  cut  into 
round  pieces 
and  cast  into 
the  Tiber. 
Thus  Fortune 
rewards  her 
folk! 

Bochas  says 
that  nothing 
attains  to  high 
noblesse  except 
the  clear 
shining  of 
virtue,  that  can 
spring  only 
from  a  pure 
heart. 


Worldly   power, 
tyranny,  and 
wealth  are  no 
means  to 
gentility  unless 
they  are  ruled 
by  virtue. 


No  man  Is 
gentle  except 
by  his  deeds; 


and  gentility 
cannot  be  de- 
vised by 
testament  to 
our  successors. 
Wholesome 
flowers  do  not 
grow  on  weeds. 


710  The  Fate  of  three  Cleopatras  [hk.  vi 

ixike  M.riui.     DjiJ.  M.iiiiiis,  of  wliDin  I  soak  tofoni, 

born  of  poof  .    ,  ,  • 

r.rcni».  wn  •   Qf  natuic,  tlie  stori  berth  witnesse, 

Tk^u^  noliiiiy.  As*  he  discent  [both]  poore  and  nedi  born,  1312 

hut   hi»  heart        !•»•      i-  •     •  r  i  1 

«i.  cjnkcreJ     Hi  disposicioiw?  ot  coraious  noblesse, 
of  .\w""     Hadde  in  bis  piTS(M)ne  wit,  strongtbc  [&]  hardynesse; 
Vndir  al  this,  thcr  didc  his  hcrtc  niyne 
A  wcrni  of  auarice  his  worslicp  to  dcdyne.  1316 

What  avaiii      What  uailith  plciitc,  that  ncuer  may  suffise? 

plenty  that  can  ,  •,  i        i  i  i  5 

never  suffice?     ()r  uhat  thc  flood,  that  staiufcne  may  no  thrust r 

The  river  <■>(  .  ,  i     ^l  • 

Tantalus  cannot Qf  what  an  appctit,  that  cuer  doth  arise, 
fhim'^oUrecd.  Alwey  to  ete,  and  euer  to  ete  hath  lust?  1320 

Of  ka/ikrid  hunger  so  fretyng  is  the  rust. 
That  the  ryueer  of  Tantalus  in  his  rage 
Of  gredi  etikes  the  fret  may  nat  asswage. 

You  have  heard  a  Qf  Martius  ve  han  herd  the  eende,  1324 

the  end  ol  ^  .^    ii   "      i   •  i 

Marius  His  woful  fall  &  his  vnhappi  caas, 

patras  next       Into  fate  how  Hc  dede  weende. 

HThYs!  v.-^h"'  Now  wil  I  folwe  myn  auctonr  lohn  Bochas, 

Wui  downcast  ^^^  ^^^^  j^-^^^^  ^^^^  Cleopattas,  1328 

With  look[e]  doun  cast,  woful  face  &  cheere, 
AUe  attonys  to  hym  dide  appeere. 
The  first  of      ji^g  f^rste  of  Hcm,  bi  processe  of  writyng, 

them  had  had  ,  ,•        t*       i  11 

three  husbands.  Hadde  thtc  husboudis,  Dochas  doth  expresse:       1332 
Fast^'wls  An-     Weddid  in  youthe  to  Alisau?zdre  the  kyng 
tiochus;  ^^j^.j  Zebenna,  a  prince*  of  gret  noblesse; 

Aftir  that  for  hir  gret  fairnesse 

She  weddid  was  vnto  Demetrius,  1336 

And  laste  of  all  to  kyng  Anthiochus. 
and  as  Bochas  Qf  j^jj.  ^\^^^  husbondis  woful  auentute 

has  already  ^  . 

written  their     And  of  Hir  sonis  gret  vnkyndenesse, 

{"^"and^er      Bochas  afFom  hath  doon  his  besi  cure  1340 

son's  great  un-    y-,      •  i  •      t 

kindness,  it       Ceriousli  the  maner  to  expresse, 
TeheJ^Vaii    Which  to  reherse  ageyn  wer  idilnesse, 
again.  gj^.}^  ^j  j.]^g  processe  heer-toforn  is  founde 

Of  the  firste  &  eek  of  the  secounde,  1344 

ci~p?t?a"ta8    Which  weddid  was  to  kyng  Tholome,  [p.  314] 

wedded  to        \J[\^  as  toforn  is  maad  eek  mencioun 

Ptolemy  Euer-     _^       ,  -     ,  .     .       „        ,  ■. 

getes,  who        Bothe  01  thet  loie  &  ther  aduersite. 

^p7o  he^a?"  The  firste  slayn  be  drynkyng  of  poisouw,  1348 


table 


13 12.  As]  Al  B,  &  H,  And  R  3  —  both]  om.  L  H  5. 
13 17.  availlth  H.  1319.  which  nevir  doth  rise  H. 
1334.    prince]  princesse  B. 


BK.  vi^  The  History  of  King  Mithridates 

And  the  secouwde,  to  hir  confusiouw, 
Bi  Euergetes,  wher  she  wer  wo  or  fayn, 
Was  with  hir  child[e]  seruid,  that  was  slayn. 

The  thridde  weddid  was  to  kyng  Grispus, 
Slayn  in  a  temple  bi  ful  gret  outrage, 
For  dreed  &  shame  gan  wexe  furious, 
To  saue  hirsilfF[e]  knew  non  auauntage, 
Saue  she  enbracid  of  lubiter  an  image, 
In  the  stori  as  heer-tofforn  is  founde, 
Or  she  was  ded  sufFred  many  a  wouwde. 


711 


The  third 
3^2  jjiarried  King 
Grypus;  and 
she  was  slain 
in  a  temple. 


1356 


1368 


[How  kyng  Mitridate  bood  vij.  yere  in  wildernesse 
had  grete  tormentys  bothe  in  see  &  londe,  by 
his  blood  brouht  to  vttraunce  slouh  himsilf  wit/i 
a  swerde.]  ' 

IWIL  passe  ouer  thes  Cleopatras  thre, 
Foorth  proceede  to  the  hasti  fate 
Soone  execut  bi  Parchas  cruelte 
Vpon  the  duk  callid  Mitridate. 
First  reherse  the  grete  vnkyndli  hate 
Of  them  that  wern  his  tutowrs,  as  I  reede, 
Hym  to  destroie  bassent  of  his  kynreede. 

Which  of  purpos  dide  his  deth  prouide 
Bi  many  vnkouth  straunge  occasiouw: 
In  tendre  youth[e]  first  thei  made  hym  ride 
Vpon  an  hors  wildere  than  [a]  leouw, 
Off  purpos  onli  for  his  destrucciouw. 
But  al-be-so  that  he  was  yong  of  age, 
The  hors  he  reuled  in  al  his  moste  rage. 

Nat  of  doctryne,  but  onli  of  nature 

He  was  disposid  kon[n]yngli  to  ride, 

Ouer  hym  the  maistri  to  recure, 

Maugre  the  hors,  of  wit  he  was  his  guide. 

What  weye  he  took[e],  froward  or  a-side, 

He  dauwtede  hym,  that  wher-so-euer  he  rood 

Bridled  hym  &  on  his  bak  abood. 

His  owne  kyn  &  his  next  allies 

Most  laboured  to  brynge  hym  to  myscheefF, 

With  venymous  drynk  set  on  hym  espies 

1362.   duke]  king  P.  1369.    a]  om.  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  128  recto. 


Duke  Mithri- 
dates was 
1^60  in  his  young 
^        days  nearly 
destroyed  by 
his  tutors, 
who,  seeking  his 
death, 

1364 


made  him 
ride  a  wild 
horse. 


1372 


But  he  was  so 
skilled  a  horse- 
man that  he 
escaped  all 
danger. 


1376 


o     His  own  kin 
13°°  tried  to  poison 
him, 


712  The  Story  of  Mithridates'   Youth  [bk.  vi 

At  pood  leisecr,  as  dooth  a  couert  theefF, 

Of  tlier  fell  poison;/  for  to  make  a  preefF,  1384 

In  thcr  entent,  the  stori  is  weel  kouth, 

Hyni  to  moordre  in  his  tendre  youth. 

pi^iftiction  he     ^^^'^  whan  that  he  apparceyued  ther  tresoun, 

LTwith  «ii"     "^  °  ^'^'^^  hynisiUF[c]  made  gret  ordenaunce;  1388 

m.nncr  of         Anon  as  lic  Pall  haiie  siispeciouw 

notable  *nti-  ^.     ,      ,   ,  ,  ,,.   ,         f    . 

dotes.  Ut  the[rj  vnkyndli  hattul  purueyaiuice, 

For  remedies  made  chcuisauwce: 
Was  prouided  ther  malis  to  declyne,  1392 

Be  many  notable  preeued  medecyne. 


To  avoid  tils 
enemies  he 


And  ther  malis  prudentli  teschewe, 
withdrew  from   jg  remewibred,  whil  he  was  yone  of  ace, 

his  country  and  ....    ,  -  i   •    i       i  i      i      i 

hunted  wild       \v  ith  certcyn  freendes,  which  that  dede  hyw  sue,  1396 
He  disposed  of  custum  his  corage 
To  hunte  &  chase  beestis  most  sauage; 
Vndir  that  colour  he  dede  it  for  a  wile, 
Ferr  from  his  centre  absente  hym  for  a  while.       1400 

crvellfdMl  Of  o  corage,  of  oon  hert  &  o  cheer 
hTh^lfis  t™"^^*^^^^^  marili,  took  non  heuynesse, 
the  wilderness    In  dcsertis  space  of  seuene  yeer, 

for  Bcv'cn  vcats* 

Among  hih  hilles  abood  in  wildirnesse.  1404 

Set  in  Asia,  the  stori  berth  witnesse, 
Fond  no  loggyng,  tracyng  the  contres, 
Saue  in  kauernys  &  in  holwe  trees. 

thtbMs^ts°"      The  book  remewbreth  how  that  his  diete  1408 

littfe^nd^'^'''    Wer  beestis  wilde  enchacid  wz'tZ?  gret  miht, 
\ji°''^*i  Fledde  idilnesse,  eschewed  al  quiete. 

And  litil  sleep  suffised  hym  at  niht; 


Bexercise  his  bodi  was  maad  liht:  1412 

Ther  was  nouther,  whan  hym  list  pursue, 
Hert  nor  hynde  that  miht  his  hand  eschewe. 

twfftind  !?rong  Hc  nouthcr  dradde  tigres  nor  leouns; 

couid^escTpr**  ^^  ^'^^  ^°  swifFt,  thouh  thei  dede  hym  assaile,  —  1416 

•>'"»■  Lik  of  strengthe  to  olde  champiouns, 

No  wilde  beeste  of  gret  nor  smal  entaille 

Tescape  his  hand[e]  myht  nat  countiruaille 

Yif  he  wer  war[e],  erli  outher  late,  1420 

So  gret[e]  swifFtnesse  hadde  Mitridate. 

1407.   2nd  in]  gret  H.       141 1.   at]  at  t)e  H. 


BK.  Vl] 


Mithridates'  early  Conquests 


713 


Among  he  hadde  in  armys  excerslse, 
Among  to  tourneye  &  renne  on  hors[e]bak; 
Al  delicat  fare  he  dede  also  despise, 
Of  gredi  excesse*,  in  hym  ther  was  no  lak: 
A-nihter-tyme  his  slep  ful  ofte  he  brak, 
Stoundemeel  the  hour[e]s  for  to  marke; 
In  the  dawenyng  roos  up  or  the  larke. 

The  space  accompHsshid  fuUi  of  seuene  yeer,  [p. 

He  is  repeired  hom  to  his  contre; 

Shewed  hymsilf  of  manhod  and  of  cheer 

Ful  lik  a  kniht,  his  stori  who  list  see. 

Wherof  his  enmyes  sore  astoned  bee; 

Kauhte  of  his  comyng  in  herte  a  maner  dreed, 

Supposyng  afForn  that  he  was  ded. 

In  whos  absence  his  wifF  Leodices 
Conceyued  a  childe,  as  maad  is  mencioun. 
For  the  diffame  sholde  nat  kome  in  pres, 
Hym  for  to  moordre  she  souhte  occasions, 
Fulli  in  purpos  to  slen  hym  be  poisoun. 
Of  which  difFautis  hir  lord  was  nothywg  fayn, 
Knowyng  the  trouthe,  made  hir  to  be  slayn. 

Took  on  hym  aftir  many  knihtli  deede: 

First  to  conquere  al  Pafflagonye 

Bi  the  helpe  of  worthi  Nychomeede, 

That  tyme  callid  kyng  of  Bithynye, 

Togidre  assurid  to  been  of  allie 

In  losse  or  lucre,  Fortune  to  be  ther  guide. 

And  therto  swor[e]n  neuer  to  deuyde. 

To  Mitridate  legate/  wer  doun  sent 
From  the  Romeyns,  hym  lowli  requeryng, 
That  he  wolde,  lik  to  ther  entent, 
Pafflagonie  restore  vnto  ther  kyng, 
Which  he  hadde  wonne,  the  cite  assailyng. 
But  he  list  nat  aduertise  ther  praieere, 
Nor  on  no  parti  ther  requestis  heere. 

He  dradde  nat  ther  thretis  nor  manacis. 
Gat  proudli  after  the  lond  of  Galathie, 
In  his  conquest^/  wan*  many  othir  placis, 
Capadoce  took  to  his  partie, 


He  was  a  good 
jouster  and 
rider    and 
despised  luxury. 


1424 

1428 
315] 

1432 


At  the  end  of 
the  seven  years 
he  went  home 
and  was  feared 
by  all  his 
enemies. 


1436 


During  his  ab- 
sence his  wife 
had  a  child, 
and  to  hide 
her  shame 
sought  to 
poison  him,  for 
which  he  caused 
1440  her  to  be  slain. 


He  conquered 
Paphlagonia 

^^^  of  Nicomedes, 


1448 


1452 


and  afterwards 
was  required  by 
the  Romans  to 
restore  the 
kingdom.     This 
he  refused 
to  do. 


1456 


He  had  no 
fear  of  them, 
and  soon  con- 
quered Galatia 
andCappadocia. 


1460 


1426,   full  offt  his  sleep  H. 
1435.  that]  trowid  \>at  H. 
1459.  wan]  gat  B. 


714  T*/.'^  Jf'ar  of  Mithridates  and  Nicomedes         [bk.  VI 

Slouh  ther  kyng,  of  hatrcde  &  envle, 

Ariaractes,  a  fill  iiianli  111. m; 

Ami  in  this  wise  his  conquest  he  began. 

olu  wfth  Nico-  Agcyn  thassiuau«ce  tween  hym  &  Nichoineede,   1464 
|"'*i"A*''°       AUe  sodenli  he  can  falle  at  debat;  i 

tcxik  the  crown   ^  ^  ^  ....  ' 

of  CappaJixia    Thonhtc  hc  wolde  werreie  hym  in  deede, 

without  .Mithn-  ,-,  ,  ■  ,"       •  ! 

d«te»'  consent,   Hecaiise  that  lie,  pompous  cc  elat, 

In  Capadoce  took  on  hym  the  estat  1468 

To  rcgne  as  kyng,  ageyn[e]s  his  entent, 
He  nouther  beyng  of  counsail  nor  assent. 

had°ma'Jrii^  hu  ^'^^  Nichomcede,  or  the!  ga^i  debate,  ' 

•iiter.  Hadde  long  afForn[e]  to  his  owne  encres  1472  ; 

The  sustir  weddid  of  this  Mitridate, 

Whan  the!  as  brethre  lived  in  rest  and  pes.*  \ 

And  she  was  also  callid  Leodices,  ' 

Hauyng  too  sonys  born  for  to  succeede  1476 

Afftir  disses  of  seid[e]  Nichomeede. 

mwies'^^dcath  he  ^'^^  ^'  ptocesse  thes  said[e]  childre  tweyne 
deprived  his      jp  Capadoce,  bi  help  of  Mitridate, 

two  sons  of  the  i  •    i        •         i  •    r  ' 

kingdom  Clcymed  a  title,  lustli  for  tatteyne  1480  ' 

Vnto  the  crowne,  ther  fadir  ded  but  late.  1 

For  which  thei  gan  felli  to  debate, 
Til  Mitridate  falsli  gaw  contryue 
His  too  neuews  vngoodli  to  depryue.  1484  \ 

ownwJ''''      Al  Capadoce  he  took  into  his  hand,  \ 

crowned  there,  f^jg  Qwnc  sonc  he  hath  thet  crowned  kyng. 

X  he  Romans        /~,i-i  riiii  ' 

sent  down        Capadociens,  bassent  of  al  the  lond,  1 

Ariobazarnes         /^  i  •       i      •  r  i   •  i 

to  chase  him  Gan  disobcie  or  purpos  his  werkyng.  1488  I 

ridatcs" allied  Whan  the  Romeyns  co?zsidred  al  thys  thing,  i 

Tigranes^and  Ariobarzancs  in  haste  thei  sente  doun 

was  victorious,  Q^y^^  Mitridate  to  keep  that  regioun. 

The  sone  of  whom  fro  them  thei  ha[n]  refusid,      1492 

Out  of  ther  kyngdam  gan  hym  to  enchase; 

For  thei  sempte  ther  franchise  was  abusid, 

To  seen  a  foreyn  occupie  that  place. 

Mitridate  gan  newdi  hem  manace,  1496 

And  took  with  hym  to  susteene  his  partie 

Tigranes  the  kyng  of  Armenye. 

1462.   Arriarattes  H,  Ariarectes  J,  Ariarathes  P. 
1474.   lived  in  rest  and  pes^  list  to  leue  in  pes  B. 
1493.   hym  to3  them  H. 


BK.  vi]  The  Wars  of  Mithridates  with  Rome 


715 


Ariobarzanes,  that  was  fro  Roome  sent 

To  Capadoce  to  helpe  hem  &  counsaille,  1500 

Of  Mitridate  knowyng  the  entent, 

How  he  cam  doun  proudli  hym  tassaille 

With  Tigranes  set  in  the  ferst  bataille, 

Of  Capadoce  that  al  the  regioun  1504 

Was  brouht  that  day  to  ther  subiecciouw. 

Thus  Mitridate  hauyng  his  entent, 

In  short  tyme  cowtrees  cowqueryng, 

Was  myhtiest  prince  of  al  the  orient,  1508 

And  in  tho  daies  oon  the  grettest  kyng. 

And  as  it  is  remembred  be  writywg, 

He  deUtid  most  in  astronomye. 

In  sortilege  &  in  sorcerye. 

And  with  al  these,  he  dede  his  besi  cure  [p. 

For  to  lerne  vnkouth  conclusiouws 

And  secretes  souht  out  hi  nature, 

Knew  the  langage  of  dyuers  regiouws, 

Of  too  and  tuenty  sondri  naciouns. 

And  heeld[e]  women  many  mo  than  oon, 

Loued  Hipsicrata  aboue  hem  euerichon. 

To  the  Romeyns  this  manH  Mitridate, 

As  bookis  olde  recorde  of  hym  &  seyn, 

Vpon  a  day,  of  verray  cruel  hate 

Thoruh  al  Asie  he  bad  that  ech  Romeyn 

Sholde  of  his  men  merciles  be  slayn:  1524 

Twenti  thousand  he  slouh  eek  on  o  day 

Of  Romeyn  marchauwt^j,  ther  durst  no  man  sei  nay. 

To  hym  he  drouh  dyuers  naciouns 

To  encrece*  his  parti  bi  puissaunce, 

Kymbrois,  Gallois,  with  othir  regiouns, 

Bastornois  took  to  his  alliaunce; 

With  straunge  peeple  made  his  aqueyntaunce 

Wher  that  euer  he  rood  nyh  or  ferre,  1532 

With  them  of  Roome  for  to  holde  werre.* 

In  Grece  also  he  gat  many  an  ile, 

Al  Ciclades  to  his  subieccioun; 

Conquered  so,  that  withynne  a  while  1536 

Of  Athenes  he  gat  the  famous  toun. 

But  whan  Romeyns  knew  his  entencioun, 

Thei  sente  Scilla  in  a  furious  heete 

With  Mitridate  in  Grece  for  to  meete.  1540 

1525.   o]  a  H.       1528.   Tencrece  B.       1533.   a  werre  B. 


and  soon 
became  the 
most  powerful 
prince  in  the 
East. 

He  delighted 
in  astronomy 
and  divination 
and  sorcery, 


1512 

-j/Tl  and  in  abstruse 
J        J  problems,  and 
knew  22  differ- 
ent languages. 
He  had  many 
wives,  but  loved 
15 16  Hypsicratia 
best. 


He  hated  the 
1520  Romans  and 
slew  20,000  of 
their  merchants 
in  one  day. 


and  allied  him- 
self with  various 


j-jQ  strange  peoples 
^        against  Rome. 


In  Greece  he 
conquered  the 
Cyclades  and 
Athens. 
Sulla  was  sent 
against  him, 


7i6  The  Wars  of  Mithridalcs  with  Rome  [bk.  vi 

inj.  defe.iing    Arcliclaus.  wliicli  tluit  was  constable, 

Archdau.,         Leedyng  the  host  of  kyng  Mitridate, 

Can  ageyn  Scilla,  trustywp;  he  was  able, 

Maugre  Romeynes*  with  hym  to  debate.  1544 

As  thci  mcttc  in  ther  furious  hate, 

Hcsidc  Ortonia  of  (Irece  a  gret[e]  toun, 

Of  Archclaus  the  parti  was  born  dou«. 

conquered  Erhe-j}^  Scilla  to  been  victorious  1548 

»nJ  BiUiynia.    Geyn  Mitridate,  &  be  gret  violence 

Gat  al  Ephese,  a  kyngdam  ful  famous, 

Rood  thoruh  Asie,  fond  no  resistence; 

Hi  his  knihthod  &  manli  prouidence  iss* 

Capadoce,  Bithynye  eek  also 

To  Romeyn  handis  he  gat  hem  bothe  too. 

At  this  Mithn-  Whan  Mitridate  parceyued  hath  this  thyng, 

oato  hastened  r  n     mi  i  -      «-^ 

to  make  peace,  How  the  conouest  of  Scilu  took  enctees,  1556 

hoping  to  sue-      ,  ,  .    ,  1  ^       •  -" 

ceed  better       Anott  hc  caste  withoute  long  tarieng, 

*  "'  For  a  tyme  with  hym  to  haue  a  pes. 

Of  hih[e]  wisdam  he  was  nat  rek[e]les 
To  dissymule  til*  he  fond  tyme  &  space  1560 

In  Fortune  to  fynde  bettre  grace. 

uira^to*Ro'me  Abood  his  tyme,  kept  hymsilue  cloos 
Til  he  fond  leiseer  lik  his  oppynyoun. 
In  this  while  of  auenture  aroos  1564 

Withynne  Roome  a  gret  discenciouw 
Tween  too  consuleris  beyng  in  that  toun, 
Which  tappese  bi  his  auctorlte 
Scilla  cam  up  ageyn  to  the  cite.  1568 

rouS^'an      Whan  Mitridate  his  absence  dede  espie, 

army  and  laid     f  q  \{{^  purpOS  fond  OpOrtUnytC, 

Cyzicus,  the      Gadtcd  peeple,  &  with  his  cheualrie 

greatest  city  of     •       .  i    •  i  /->>•    •  i 

Asia,  A  Siege  leid  to  Lizite  the  cite,  1572 

Of  al  Asie  most  off  auctorite. 
Til  LucuUus,  a  myhti  consuleer, 
To  breke  the  seege  aproche  gan  ful  neer. 

tackJd"^       Mitridate  hadde  on  fyue  capteyns  1576 

LucuUus,  who    Tofor  the  toun  made  a  disconfiture. 

Of  hih  despiht  he  hadde  to  Romeyns. 

But  LucuUus  the  damage  to  recure, 

1544.   Romeynes]  with  Romeyns  B.       1552.   &]  of  H. 
1555.   hath]  om.  H.       1557.   long]  om.  H. 
1560.   til]  whan  B.       1566.   that]  \tt  H,  R  3. 


BK.  Vl] 


The  Wars  of  Mithridates  with  Rome 


717 


Tenclose  ther  enmyes  dide  his*  besi  cure:  1580 

To  his  mynours  gaf  anon  in  charge 
Aboute  the  siege  to  make  a  dich  ful  large. 

Thei  withynwe  hadde  knowlechyng 

Be  certeyn  toknys  of  al  \ier  gouernauwce; 

Wherupon  thei  made  no  taryeng 

To  caste  a  weie  for  ther  deliuerauwce. 

Mitridates  seyng  ther  ordenauwce, 

Of  hih  prudenae  scaped  awey  beside,  1588 

And  at  the  seege  no  lenger  list  abide. 

Lucullus  than,  the  myhti  consuleer, 

Pursued  aftir,  slouh  of  his  meyne 

Swich  multitude,  that  Asapus  the  ryueer 

Was  maad  with  blood[e]  lik  the  Rede  Se. 

With  wynd  &  tempest  fordryue  also  was  he. 

And  whan  he  sauh  no  socowr  on  the  lond, 

To  shipp  he  wente  with  strong  &  myhti  bond.      1596 

He  fond  Fortune  cruel  aduersarie  [p.  317] 

On  lond  &  se,  this  worthi  Mitridate; 

And  Neptunus  made  the  se  contrarie, 

Ageyn[e]s  hym  his  puissauwce  to  abate.  1600 

What  shal  men  calle  it?  —  influence  or  fate?  — 

So  sodenli  a  prince  of  hih  renouw 

From  hih  noblesse  to  be  plongid  doun. 

For  any  myscheefF  he  kept  ay  o  visage,  1604 

This  Mitridate,  &  loth  was  for  to  plie 

Or  for  to  bowe,  so  strong  was  his  corage, 

But  efFt  ageyn  goth  with  his  cheualrie 

Toward  Adrastus,  an  hill  of  Armenye,  1608 

Where-as  Pompeie  besette  hym  envirouw, 

Sent  fro  Roome  to  his  destruccioun. 


dug  a  ditch 
about  the  be- 

i=;84  "^!'"/  ^'■'"s' 

•'   ^  and  drove 
Mithridates 
away, 


and,  pursuing 
him,  slew 
so  many  of  his 
men  that  the 
Ii?Q2  ■'iver  Asopus 

became  like  the 
Red  Sea. 


Fortune  was 
contrary  to 
Mithridates 
and   threw   him 
down  from  his 
high  estate. 


Nevertheless  he 
did  not  lose 
courage,  and  . 
once  more  gave 
battle  to  his 
enemies  in 
Armenia. 


Mitridate  makyng  his  loggyng  place 

Vndir  that  hill,  whan  it  drouh  to  niht,  1612 

The  troubli  heuene  with  thundryng  gaw  manace; 

The  firy  leuene  dirkid  hath  his  siht; 

The  cloudi  moone  clipsed  of  hir  liht, 

Astoned  hym  bi  vnwar  violence,  1616 

That  he  stood  confus  of  al  prouidence. 


The  sky  was 
troubled 
with  thunder 
and  fiery 
lightning,  and 
the  moon 
eclipsed. 


1580.  his]  ther  B.  1582. 
1592.  Asopus  H,  J,  P,  R  3. 
1608.  Armonye  H. 


the]  his  H.       1587.   Mitridate  H. 


71 8  The  Courage  of  Mithridates  in  Defeat  [bk.  vi 

l'eafy'on'fT°"  He  was  he  tcMiipcst  &:  vinvar  dirknesse 
but  hi.  faithful  Almost  luaail  wcrv  of  liis  wofiil  liff; 

wife  never  once  •,..«,  ^         " 

left  him  and      \  it  I  fvnde,  of  vcrrav  kyndenesse,  1620 

lollowco  him         ...        .  i*i        i  i-  •  rr 

wherever  he      HipsicTata,  which  that  was  his  win, 

went,  disguised    xt  i  r  ^    I      ^       rr 

as  •  page.        INoiitlicr  tor  wciie  nor  no  mortal  stryrt 
Left  hym  neiicre:   disgised  of  visage 
Fohved  hym  arraied  as  a  page.  1624 

Fonunrwa!*^"  ^  ''^  •"  '^'^  moste  mortal  heuynesse, 

most  menaciiiK.  \Vha«  cloudi  Fortiuie  can  hym  most  manace, 

his  courage  did  i  •  i 

not  (ail  him.     (j[  his  corage  the  nature!  quiknesse 

Appalled  nat  nor  remeued  from  his  place,  1628 

So  hih  prowesse  dide  his  hert  enbrace. 
Nat  disespeired  for  no  sodeyn  fall. 
Of  condiciouns  he  was  so  marciall. 

^gi/orwfak°    I"  tokne  wherof,  he  stondyng  at  myscheefF,  1632 

ncs9.  although    Chaiujgcd  nouthcr  cheer  nor  co7itenauwce: 

there  was  the        «  •  i  f    i  rr 

greatest  occasionAn  euidence  &  a  fill  gret  preefF 

for  despair.  ^-  .    -  J   U      ^^^ 

Ur  manli  torce  and  hertli  assuraunce, 

DefFying  Fortune,  with  al  hir  variaunce,  1636 

Whan  that  he  fond  to  his  destruccioun 

Of  disespeir  grettest  occasiouw. 

rbamff^anfed  With  hym  he  hadde  a  bailiff,  as  I  fynde, 

Castor,  who      CalHd  Castor,  which  of  condicioun  1640  , 

traitorously  sent  i-iiri  111  \ 

his  master's      Was  to  his  lordfel  fals  &  eek  vnkynde,  1 

children  as  .       ,  •        i  i  r   i 

hostages  to       And  conspircd  ageyn  hym  rals  tresouw.  j 

°^^'  In  tokne  wherof,  up  to  Roome  toun 

His  lordis  childre,  yong  &  tendre  of  age,  1644 

Lik  a  fals  theeff  he  sent  hem  in  hostage.  j 

onf  o7hu""^    Oon  of  his  sones  he  moordred  be  tresouw,  | 

sons    Another  Which  Mitridate  took  ful  sore  at  herte.  ', 

son,  rharnaces,  .  .  I 

was  ungrateful  Another  sone,  as  maad  is  mencioun,  1648  ' 

Fals  to  his  fader,  which  whaw  he  dide  adu^frte. 
The  vnkyndnesse  made  hym  sore  smerte;  : 

For  of  al  vicis,  shortli  to  conclude, 
Werst  of  alle  is  ingratitude.  1652 

and, 'taking'     This  Same  child,  of  whom  I  make  mynde,  ] 

^nrm"*  °'      Callid  Pharnax,  which  ageyw  nature  I 

To  his  fadir  tretour  &  vnkynde,  — 

And  his  purpos  ageyn  hym  to  recure  1656  j 

In  al  hast[e]  dede  his  besi  cure;  ■ 

For  tacomplisshe  his  purpos  in  partie, 

Took  to  hym  hool  his  fadris  cheualrie. 

1622.   no]  for  H.       1635.  Of]  &  H.  '' 


BK.  Vl] 


The  Death  of  Adithridates 


719 


Be  slelhte  &  meede  whan  he  was  maad[e]  strong, 

He  beseged  his  fadir  round  aboute,  — 

Vnto  nature,  me  seemeth,  he  dide  wrong 

To  putte  his  fadir  in  so  gret  a  doute. 

Kyndenesse  was  ferr  shet  withoute, 

Whan  the  sone,  with  hate  set  affire, 

Ageyns  his  fadir  Hst  falsU  to  conspire. 

With  multitude  his  fadir  was  constreyned, 

Maugre  his  myht,  into  a  tour  to  flee, 

His  sone  vnkynde  hath  at  hym  disdeyned; 

And  yit  for  al  his  straunge  aduersite. 

Of  his  corage  the  magnanymyte 

In  his  persone  stood  hool,  list  nat  varie, 

Thouh  Fortune  was  to  hym  contrarie. 

Yit  myn  auctowr  Bochas  berth  record, 

That  Mitridate,  yif  it  wolde  haue  bee, 

Requered  his  sone  to  been  at  accord 

And  set  aside  al  old  contrariouste. 

But  he  vnkynde,  was  indurat  parde, 

Euere  froward,  malicious  of  corage, 

So  disposed  from  his  tendre  age. 

So  that  the  kyng  Mitridate,  alas,  [p. 

Was  ouercome  be  vnkyndenesse. 

That  neuer  afForn[e]  in  no  man^r  caas 

Stood  disamaied,  but  of  hih  prowesse 

Kept  ay  o  face  al  passiouns  to  represse. 

This  vertu  force,  bi  marcial  doctryne. 

For  non  aduersite  suffrid*  hym  declyne. 

Eende  of  his  werris  &  his  mortal  stryues. 

Of  his  debatis  and  discenciouns, 

His  concubynes,  his  douhtres  &  his  wyues. 

Be  mene  onli  of  certeyn  pociouns, 

Slouh  hem  alle  be  drynkyng  of  poisouns; 

For  he  nat  wolde,  the  cause  to  descryue, 

Aftir  his  deth  thei  sholde  abide  alyue. 

His  owne  deth,  of  mortal  fel  rigour 

Compassed  afForn[e],  thus  he  gzn  deuise: 

Made  a  Frensh  kniht  that  was  a  soudiowr. 

With  a  sharp  suerd  in  ful  cruel  wise 

To  renne  hym  thoruh;  wherbi  the  fraunchise 

Conserued  was  his  purpos  to  fulfill. 

He  shold  nat  deie  but  bi  his  owne  will. 

1687.   sufFrid]  listnat  B.       1694.   on  live  H.       1697.   Franch  H. 


I"0°  his  father 
(which,  it 
seems  to  me, 
was  wrong). 


1664 


and  compelled 
him  to  seek 
1668  ""^f^ee  in  a 
tower. 


1672 


Although  he 
bade  his  son 
make  peace 
with  him,  the 

1676  ^^^  ^^^  °^' 
durate; 


1680 

^  y  o]   and  Mithri- 
j'-°\  dates,  who 
never  before 
had  lost  heart, 
was  overcome 
by  unkindness. 
1684 


,AQQ  He  slew  his 
1000  wives  and 

daughters  and 
concubines  by 
giving  them 
poison, 


1692 


and  made  a 
Gallic  knight 
1606  run  him  through 
"     with  a  sharp 
sword. 


1700 


7-0  An  Envoy  on  JVorldly  Variance  [bk.  vi 

Jnj'ofMitiui-  Loo,  heer  the  eende  of  kyng  Mitridate! 

dates.   Let  all  "[^^^  priiicis  allc  of  his  dcth  take  heede, 

lake  '  ' 


death. 


princes  take  '  . 

^^^■^"^i'        How  rcklesh  he  passed  into  fate  1704 

And  bi  assent  made  his  herte  bleede. 
And  Bochas  heer,  who  Hst  his  book  to  reede, 
Pleynh  rehcrsyng  but  in  woordes  fewe, 
To  worldli  princis  doth  his  conceit  shewe.  1708 

Lenvoye. 


co'L'Se'ir"''  IVr^"'^^  Vr\n6^,  lefft  up  your  corages, 
concor'd'a'iy''^  jL»-*-  Towatd  hcucnc  doth  yowr  hert^j  dr^sse, 
gladness  of       Of  yowF  memoric  *  toz<rne  up  be  visages, 

heaven  and  the  -t-n,  •     •      •  iiii 

worldly  changes  VVher  loie  IS  euete,  concord  and  gladnesse,  1713 

of  Fortune.  »-r%  i         ■    i 

1  rewe  armonye,  celestial  suetnesse,  — 
Countirpeiseth  in  your  remembrauwce 
WorldH  chaungis,  Fortunys  variaunce. 

Iut"aVo/ war.  Aduertiseth  the  mortal  fel  outrages  1716 

murft'ivision.^^  ^^°^^  wetrls  impossiblc  to  represse, 
deceit,  brought  Whil  fals  chvie  with  his  furious  rages 

about  through  a  _  ,  ,         ,  .      " 

sudden  change   In  sondry  rewmys  hath  so  gret  mteresse,  — 
variance.  Slauhttc,  moordre,  deuisiouM,  falsnesse,  1720 

Which  conscience  haue  brouht[e]  to  vttrauwce 
Thoruh  sodeyn  chaung  of  worldli  variaunce. 

?r1nces°  whj'''  Rekne  up  princis  that  sat  on  hih[e]  stages: 
thrones ''l^nd      What  was  the  fyn  of  thet  roial  noblesse  ?  1724 

th^'bi^'  ^""^   ^^  °^  tirauntis  rekne  up  the  bloodi  wages: 
wages  of  Sodeyn  slauhtre  guerdouned  ther  woodnesse. 

Mitridate  can  bern  herof  witnesse, 
Bi  blood  vnkynde  brouht  vnto  vttraunce,  1728 

Thoruh  sodeyn  chaung  of  w^orldli  variaunce. 

Goidl^'Agey***   Princis  remembreth  vpon  the  goldene  ages, 
^^ed  an'dThe   Whan  Satoum  reuled  the  world  in  rihtwisnesse; 
silver  world  of  Next  lubitcr,  for  peeplis  auauntages,  1732 

Jupiter,  and  -.  i  i  i    •  i 

the  fierce  world  In  silucren  wotld  conscrucd  m  clennesse, 
Mars.  Which  Mars  hath  now  toz^rnid  to  felnesse, 

Made  it  stelene,  with  suerd,  dagger  &  launce, 
Thoruh  sodeyn  chaung  of  worldli  variaunce.  1736 

171 1,   memorie]]  memoire  B,  J. 

1716.   the3  their  H  —  outrages]  Coragis  H. 


BK.  Vl] 


Eucratides,  King  of  Scythia 


721 


Of  Mitrldate  registreth  the  viages, 
Conspired  poisouws  taffraie  his  hih  prowesse, 
On  lond  and  se  tempestuous  passages, 
Bi  constreynt  hood  seuene  yeer  in  wildirnesse. 
Of  his  wandryng  peiseth  thuwsekirnesse, 
His  eende  in  myscheef,  knew  non  auoidauwce 
Geyn  worldU  chauwg  nor  Fortunys  variaunce. 

Yif  neccligence  haue  brouht  you  in  rerages 
Towardis  God,  or  he  rekne  in  streihtnesse, 
Lat  resouw  medle  for  you  to  leyn  hostages,  — 
CompassiouM,  merci,  partywg  of  almesse. 
Toward  heuene  to  supporte  your  feeblesse, 
Wha«  yoMr  meritis  shal  peisen  in  ballauwce 
Of  worldli  chauwgis  &  Fortunys  variaunce. 

Deth  spareth*  nouther  hih  blood  nor  hih  lynages. 

Hath  mynde  heeron  for  any  reklesnesse; 

Transitoire  been  heer  youx  pilgrymages. 

Set  with  brigauwtis  vnwarU  you  toppresse, 

But-yif  prudence  bi  gret  auysenesse 

With  prouidence  preserue  youx  puissauwce  1756 

Geyn  worldli  chauwg  &  Fortunys  variaunce. 


Remember  the 
warlike  enter- 
prises and 
insecure  life  of 
Mithridates, 
who  could  not 
1740  avoid  the  vari- 
ance of  Fortune, 


If  you  have 
1/44  been  negligent 
towards  God, 
let  reason  help 
you  to  lay 
compassion, 
charity  and 
mercy  as 
1748  hostages  in 
heaven. 


Death  spares 
no  man,  but 
l'j'2  prudence  may 
'''     preserve  you 
against  worldly 
change. 


plow  Eucratides  kjmg  of  Sithie  was  slayn  bi  Deme- 
trius, and  after  his  careyn  cast  to  houndys.]  ^ 

NEXT  in  ordr^  to  Boch^j  dide  appeere  E7cmide''s"oT' 

A  woful  prince,  which  put  himsilf  in  pres,  Scythia,  next 

,-,  .„.,.,.  .,  r        '  appeared  before 

Regnyng  in  Sithia,  his  stori  doj)  us  ler*?,  1760  Bochas. 

The  name  of  whom  was  Eucratides. 

But  to  disturbe  his  quiete  &  his  pes, 

Ageyn[e]s  \\ym,  pleynli,  as  I  fynde. 

Caw  Demetrius  the  myhti*  kyng  of  Ynde.  1764 

Of  whom  the  poweer  &  the  violence 
To  Eucratides  was  verray  importable: 
Beseegid  first,  and  for  lak  of  difFence 
Take  at  myscheef,  his  foon  nat  merciable; 
For  Demetrius  was  on  hym  so  vengable. 
Whan  he  was  slayn  withynne  his  owne  boundis, 
Made  the  careyn  [to]  be  caste  out  to*  houndis. 

1738.   hih^  om.  H.       1751.   spareth]  spared  B  —  lynage  J. 
1760.   Sithia]  Bactris  P.       1764.   myhti]  worthy  B. 
1771.   to]  om.  J,  H  5  —  out  to]  vnto  B,  out  to  the  J. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  131  recto. 


[P-   319]  sieged^  by  ^De- 
metrius, king 
of  India,  and 
finally  captured 
and  slain, 
1768 


722 


The  Wars  of  Orodes  and  the  Romans 


thrown' t^the  Natwithstoiidyiig  he  was  a  worth!  kyng, 

dog»,  .iihough  Ijorn  of  hih  blood,  swich  was  his  aue;/ture. 

worthy  king.  Demctrius  sone  aboue  al  erthU  thyng 

dwell  any  Hatcdc  hyiii,  bi  record  of  scripture, 

longer  on  «uch    /-\r  i        •     J   I  "  t^ 

a  lutcfui  story.  Of  raiicour  denied  his  sepulture. 

And  for  the  matccr  is  hatful  &  co/itrarie, 
On  his  stori  I  wil  no  lentrcr  tarie. 


[bk.  VI 

1772 

1776 


Artabanus, 
king  of  Parthia, 
had  two  sons, 
Mithridatesand 
Orodes, 


and  when  he 
died  was  suc- 
ceeded by 
Mithridates, 
the  elder,  who 
was  a  tyrant 
and,  banished, 
fled  to 
Babylon. 


Orodes  then 
became  king, 
and,  taking 
Babylon, 
caused  his 
brother's  head 
to  be  cut  off. 


Afterwards  he 
made  war  on 
Rome. 

Crassus,  who 
came  down 
against  him, 


1780 


1784 


1788 


[How  herodes  kyng  of  Parthos,  werred  with  Romayns 
whiche  aftir  his  sone  &  heir  was  slajm  /  made 
his  bastard  son  kyng  ^at  anon  aftir  slouh  his 
fadir.]  1 

TO  Arthabanus  whilo;;;  of  Parthos  king 
I  purpose  my  stile  to  transporte, 
A  ful  olde  prince,  had  in  his  lyuyng 
Sonys  tweyne,  bookis  so  reporte. 
Which  in  his  age  dide  hym  most  cou7ifort: 
Mitridate  was  the  elder*  brothlr, 
And  Herodes  callid  was  the  tothir. 

Mitridate,  be  resouw  of  his  age, 

His  fadir  ded,  dide  aftir  hym  succeede, 

Which  banshed  was  for  tirannye  &  outrage. 

Aftirward  for  myscheefF  &  for  neede 

Into  Babiloun  he  took  his  fliht  for  dreede. 

The  peeple  anon,  after  his  partyng. 

Of  indignaciouw  made  his  brothir  kyng. 

Thus  kam  Herodes  to  estat  roiall, 

Pursuede  his  brothir  into  Babiloun, 

Leide  a  seege  round  aboute  the  wall; 

Thei  to  hym  yold[e]  up  the  toun. 

Thus  was  his  brothir  brouht  to  confusiouw,  — 

AfForn  the  castel,  withoute  lenger  date. 

Made  smyte  of  the  hed  of  Mitridate. 

In  Parthos  aftir  he  took  pocessioun. 
This  yonge  Herodes,  of  volunte  &  pride 
Gan  a  werre  geyn*  hem  of  Roome  toun. 
Whom  to  withstonde  thei  list  nat  longe  abide. 

1784.  elder]  eldest  B. 

1785.  Herodes]  Orodes  P. 
1802.   geyn]  ageyn  B,  H,  J,  R  3,  H  5,  P. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  131  recto. 


1792 


1796 


1800 


BK.  vi]  The  Wars  of  Orodes  and  the  Romans 


723 


The  consul  Crassus  kam  doun  on  ther  side, 
Comaundid  was  short  processe  to  make, 
Toward  Parthos  his  viage  for  to  take. 

Crassus  Hst  nat  tentren  in  that  rewm, 

Lefte  Parthos,  the  stori  doth  deuise,  — 

Took  his  weie  toward  Iherusalem 

To  take  ther  a  solempne  enprise, 

In  the  temple,  onli  of  couetise, 

Took  ther,  ageyn  the  title  of  rihtwisnesse, 

Vp  al  ther  tresour  &  ther  gret  richesse. 

Bi  which  he  gat  in  dyuers  regiouMS 

Gret  multitude  to  holde  up  his  partie, 

Ladde  with  hym  elleuene  legiouws, 

Toward  Parthos  faste  gzn  hym  hie, 

Bi  his  lettres  proudli  gaw  defie 

The  said  Herodes,  and  with  gret  apparaille 

Mid  his  contre  profFred  hym  bataille. 

The  nexte  morwe  whan  Crassus  took  l^e  feeld, 
To  hym  was  brouht  of  blak  a  cotearmure. 
Which  whan  his  kniht^j-  auysili  beheeld, 
Dempte  it  a  tokne  of  disconfiture; 
For  in  contrarie*  Romeyns  do  ther  cure. 
Whan  ther  capteyw  shal  fihten,  or  ther  hed. 
His  cotearmure  is  owther  whit  or  red. 

A-nother  tokne  froward  to  beholde, 

The  firste  egle  bete  in  his  baneer. 

Also  soone  as  men  it  dide  vnfolde 

Contrariousli  he  tournid  look  &  cheer. 

The  bak  to  Crassus,  folk  sauh  that  stood[e]  neer: 

A  pronostik  to  Romeyns  ful  certeyn. 

How  Fortune  that  day  was  hem  ageyn. 

Bi  the  flood  passyng  of  Eufrates, 
With  vnwar  tempest  his  standardis  eumchon 
Into  the  ryuer  wer  cast  among  the  pres. 
To  rekne  hem  all,  vpriht  stood  nat  oon. 
Wherof  astoned,  thei  wolde  no  ferther  gon, 
Thes  pronostiques  made  hem  so  aff^raied, 
Lik  men  in  herte  dispeired  &  dismaied. 


1804 


first  went  to 
Jerusalem  to 
1808  ^°^  ^^*  temple. 


1812 


1816 


and  then  gave 
battle  to  Orodei 
with  eleven 
legions. 


1820 


1824 


He  wore  a  suit 
of  black  ar- 
mour, which 
his  knights 
considered 
bad  luck; 


1828 


and  when  one 
of  his  banners 
was  unfolded, 
the  eagle 
turned  his  back 
on  him. 


1832 


1836 


His  standards 
were  blown  into 
the  Euphrates 
by  a  sudden 
tempest,  and 
the  army  was 
dismayed  and 
refused  to 
advance. 


1840 


1806.  Parthia  P. 

1810.  emprise  J,  H,  P.       1817. 

1823.  beheeld]  tooke  heede  H. 

1836.  tempestis  H. 


Parthia  P. 
1825.   contraire  B,  J. 


724  Orodes  defeats  and  slays  Crassus  [^bk.  VI 

WM  wXs*  of  ^^  ^^^^s  toknys  Crassus  was  rek[e]les, 
these  tokens      ^j^g  Droiiostikes  he  dede  also  despise, 

and  crossed  the  ^^       .  ,  1^     r 

Euphratci  out    Took  UDon  [liyni]  to  passen  Eufrates,  1844 

of  covetousness,  ,-,,  i-«         i  ^•    r 

so  thit  he         lentre  iarthos  onli  tor  couetise. 

Pmhia"'^'     To  whom  Ilerodes  sendlth  in  this  wise, 
I  hat  his  coiiiy;;g  was  nior  for  pdhige 
Than  for  knihthod,  manhod  or  corage.  1848 

of'thc'c^ntVy  Al  ^^^  poweer  of  Parthos  tho  kaw  doun  [p.  320] 

came  down       With  many  prefect  in  that  mortal  rage 

•gainst  him;  r^  11  r  i^ 

hif  aon  was      Agcyn  Lrassus  and  them  or  Koome  tou«, 

himself  taken     Which,  as  I  tolde,  abood  on  ther  pillage,  1852 

pnsoner.  That  tumid  aftir  to  ther  gret  damage: 

The  sone  of  Crassus  slayn  in  that  affray. 

His  fadir  take,  &  al  upon  o  day. 

cJt' offf'in'd*''    His  bed  smet  of,  in  whom  was  no  difFence,  1856 

Orodes  com-      ^^j  discounfitcd  with  many  legioun, 

manded  it  to  i        i       r  /^  i  i 

be  poured  full   The  hed  of  Crassus  brouht  to  the  presence 

of  molten  gold.  ^-  ._  ,  .    ,  ,   .  .    , 

Ur  Herodes  withynne  his  roial  touw. 

Which  hath  comaundid  gold  to  be  brouht  doun,  i860 

To  be  molte  ther  as  he  lay  ded. 

And  to  poure  therof  ful  his  hed. 

bwiau^^no""'  This  thyng  was  doon  for  a  moquerye, 

amount  of  gold  j^  signe  onli,  the  stori  doth  deuise,  1864 

or  treasure  i  ,  • 

could  staunch    That  gold  not  tresour,  upon  no  partie, 

his  thirst  of  _  °,  1        1   •        1  r  • 

covetousness.     btauwchc  myht  his  thrust  or  couetise. 

Such  gredynesse  ech  man  owith  despise; 

For  auarice  of  custum  in  ech  place  1868 

Of  hih  prowesse  doth  the  pris  difFace. 

Sdf"ii'or      Herodes  aftir  did  serche  al  the  wardis 
and""tandt°dr'''^^°^'^^  ^^  ^^^  feeld[e]  upon  Crassus  side, 
and  hung  them  Took  the  pcnouws,  banetes  &  standardis,  1872 

temples  as        And  in  his  templis,  large,  longe  &  wide 
v^ctoiy!  °         Leet  hang  hem  up  of  surquedie  &  pride. 
In  signe  onli,  and  eek  for  a  memorie. 
He  of  Romeyns  hath  get[e]  the  victorie.  1876 


1849.  Parthia  P. 

1850.  in  that  mortal  rage^  &  mych  gret  Costage  H,  &  many  gret 
costage  R  3,  &  much  great  costage  P,  and  many  gret  constable 
J.  Hs. 

1852.   as]  om.  H  —  ther]  })e  H.       1865.   tresour]  siluer  H. 
1867.   owith]  doth  H,  should  P. 
1870.   serche]  sechen  H. 


BK.  Vl] 


Or  odes  loses  his  Son  Pacorus 


725 


With  whiche  he  list  nat  onli  be  content, 
Weenyng  his  fortune  sholde  abide  stable, 
Into  Surrye  he  hath  his  sone  sent, 
Callid  Pachorus,  made  hym  a  constable. 
Of  that  regioun  with  hym  to  be  partable 
Of  al  tresours  &  meobles  that  he  fond, 
Wher-euer  he  rood  thoruhout  al  the*  lond. 

Thus  Pachorus  bi  his  cheualrie 
Encrese  gan  in  his  tendre  age, 
Wherof  Herodes,  his  fader,  had  envye, 
Feerful  it  sholde  turne  to  his  damage. 
List  he  wolde  be  title  of  heritage, 
Maugre  hym,  at  his  ageyw  komyng 
Take  upon  hym  in  Parthos  to  be  kyng. 

Than  Pachorus  was  callid  hom  ageyw, 

And  of  Surrie,  wher  in  conclusioun, 

Al  that  he  had  wrouht[e]  was  in  veyn, 

Because  oon  Cassius  fro  Roome  was  come  douw, 

Slouh  al  the  peeple  in  that  regeouw 

Which  apartened  to  Pachorus,  as  I  fynde, 

Withoute  capteyn  for  thei  wer  lefft  behynde. 

To  withstonde  this  Romeyn  Cassius 
Herodes  hath  his  sone  sent  ageyn, 
Which  anon  aftir,  the  stori  tellith  thus, 
Amyd  the  feeld  vnhappili  was  slayn. 
To  truste  Fortune  it  is  a  thyng  but  vayw, 
Which  of  custum  to-day  is  fauourable, 
And  to-morwe  gerisshli  chaungable. 

Of  Pachorus  deth  whan  the  noise  aroos 
And  the  distrussyng  of  his  cheualrie, 
And  to  Herodes  abidyng  in  Parthos 
Tidyng  was  brouht,  ferde  as  he  wolde  die, 
Of  hertli  sorwe  fill  into  frenesie: 
Heir  was  non  left  of  the  roial  lynes, 
Sauf  thretti  bastardis  born  of  concubynes. 

Thus  Herodes  was  cast  in  gret  seeknesse, 
His  sonis  deth  was  to  hym  importable, 
His  worldli  ioie  was  gon  and  his  gladnesse, 
Fortune  contrarie,  which  neuer  can  be  stable; 


Not  content 
with  all  this, 
and  believing 
that  his  fortune 
would  continue 
stable,  he  sent 
1880  his  son  Pacorus 
to  Syria  and 
made  him 
constable  there. 


QQ.   Afterwards, 
1004  fearing  that  he 
should  become 
too  powerful,  he 
recalled  him. 


1888 


1892 


During  Pacorus' 
absence  Cassius 
came  down 
from  Rome  and 
slew  all  the 
people  in 
Syria, 


1896 

and  so  Orodea 
sent  him  back 
again  to  defend 
his  country;  but 
1000  ^^  ^'^^  slain. 


1904 

When  Orodes 
heard  of  Paco- 
rus' death,  he 
acted  as  if  he 
were  going  to 
die  and  nearly 
1908  went  mad;  for 
he  had  no 
sons  left  except' 
30  bastards. 


He  was  a  very 
^912  gi;.].  man;  his 
worldly  joy 
gone,  old  in 
years.  Fortune 
contrary. 


1882.  meobles]  richesse  H,  mouables  P. 

1884.  Pacorus  P. 

1889.  at  his  ageyn]  ageynst  his  geyn  H. 

1894.  Cassus  H.       1895.   that]  ^&  H. 


1883.  the]  that  B. 


726  The  Death  of  Orodrs.     Fimbria  [bk.  vi 

Aj;e  fill  on;   his  lift"  wns  nat  chirahlc:  1916 

And  of  t)  thyng  most  he  dock'  Uyni  drccde, 
Cause  he  hadde  non  heir  to  siieceede, 

Finally  he  K-nc  \\\■^[^.\^  woidle]   IKlt   SuftVe  hviTl  IvUC  In   DCS. 
the  crt>\vn  lo  ^    '  . 

one  of  his         '\\\  ;jj-  tlie  laste  he  cauhte  a  fantasie,  1920 

bastards  named  ii-   i    i^l 

Phr.iatc»  and     (_ hcs  3  Dastaid  callid  1  haractcs, 

»ooii  after  was     .^  ,  ^  •  l  l    * 

(lain  by  him.     Hecausc  hc  was  taiiioiis  in  chcualne, 
Ciaf  hyni  the  crow  lie  &:  the  rcgalie. 
Which  anon  aftir,  breeffli  to  conclude,  1924 

Slouh  Hcrodes  of  ingratitude, 

[How  Fymbria  a  consul  of  Rome  slouh  himsilf.]  ^ 

prTce^ost^        A  1  I'TIR  to  Bochflj-,  bi  processe  of  the  book, 
their  looii  on     J~\   Four^  iiiihti  princis  notable  of  estat, 

Bochas.  like  i-      i  i      •  i  oil 

unfortunate  foik^  Qwardis  hy tu  thci  caste  cheer  &  look,  1928 

who  had  T   ■  I  rill  *     r 

fallen  from        Iak  vnto  tolk  that  wer  intortunat, 
Fortune's  wheel,  ^yj^,^  vvhow  Fortuuc  had  been  at  debat; 

For  be  ther  maner,  as  it  sempte  weel, 

Thei  wer  at  mischeeff  fallyn  from  hir  wheel.  1932 

^em^Fim°bria    Fi^'st  FymbHa,  a  Romeyn  consuleer,  [p.  321] 

a  Roman  consul  g^nt  bi  the  Romeyns  to  a  eret  cite 

sent  to  help  ,   at-    i  ir    n  * 

Fiaccus,  whom  Callid  Nichomeed[yje,  cam^  as  a  massageer 

he  found  slain,    „,      ,      ,  „,  "„  i 

presumptuously  1  o  hclpc  T laccus,    &  cntryHg  that  coHtrc,  1936 

took  command     t^  1    t^i  i  1   •  ^       J  "^ 

of  the  army  and  I' ond  T  laccus  slayn  bi  gret  aduersite. 

c^aiitd'^emreror  Aftif  whos  dcth,  his  parti  to  auaunce. 

Of  Fiaccus  meyne  took  the  gou<?rnau?zce. 

Of  presumpciouw,  withoute  auctori[t]e,  1940 

This  Fymbria  bi  dilligent  labour, 

Ful  ferr  abouen  his  staat  &  his  degre. 

Took  upon  hym  bi  Fortunys  fals  fauowr 

To  be  callid  capteyn  and  emperowr  1944 

Thoruh  al  that  cuntre,  bokis  specefie; 

Of  whos  presuwpcioun  Scilla  had  envie. 

t^at  SuUa  ""  Pursued  hym  thoruh  many  gret  cite, 

compelled  him   fo  a  castcl  made  hym  take  his  flliht,  1948 

to  take  refuge  .  -     -^ 

in  a  castle.       Wher  Tymbtia  or  gret  necessite 

where  he  slew      ^-^  ,  i   l   •  1 

himself.  Constreyned  was,  maugre  al  his  mynt, 

Disespeired,  forsake  of  eueri  waht, 
To  slen  hymsilf,  the  stori  tellith  thus,  1952 

Withynne  the  temple  of  Esculapius. 

1935.   cam]  sent  B.  I953-   the]  a  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  131  recto. 


BK.  Vl] 


The  Fate  of  Adrian  and  his  Churls 


727 


[Of  Albynius  that  was  slayn  with  stonys.]  ^ 

A^OVER  consul  stood  in  cas  sei^zblabl^, 
In  his  tyme  callid  Albynyus, 
Whos  hatful  pride  was  abhomiwabl^,  1956 

To  alle  folkis  lothsum  and  odious; 
Which  lik  a  rebel,  wood  &  furious 
Ageyw  Romeyn[e]s  oft[e]nere  than  onys,  — 
Whan  he  lest  wende  slay[e]n  was  \^ith  stonys.       i960 


Another  consul, 
Albinus,  abomi- 
nably proud, 
and  odious  to 
all  men,  re- 
belled against 
Rome  and  was 
stoned  to  death. 


[How  Adriane  of  low  degre  falsly  vsurped  to  be 
kyng  of  Rome  whiche  wft/i  his  cherlys  was  aftir 
brent.]  2 

NEXT  Adrian,  which  ros  to  hih  estat: 
First  in  Roome  borw  of  louh  degr^, 
Chose  a  pretour,  sent  bi  l^e  senat 
To  gouerne  of  AfFrik  the  contre,  1964 

Wher  of  his  owne  pompous  auctorite 
Took  upon  hym  bi  sotil  fals  werkyng, 
Maugre  Romeyws,  ther  to  be  crowned  kywg. 

Whom  to  supporte,  shortli  to  conclude,  1968 

Was  a  gret  noumbre  of  the  comouwte. 

Of  cherlis  gadred  a  confus  multitude, 

Title  was  non  nor  ground  but  volunte. 

Gentil-men  than  beyng  in  that  contre,  1972 

Alle  off  assent  and  oon  oppynyoun, 

Assemble[d]  hem  to  his  destrucciouw. 

At  Vtices,  a  large  gret  cite, 

Hym  and  his  cherlis  besette  rouwd  aboute,  1976 

Of  wode  &  faget  with  large  quawtite 

In  compas-wise  closed  hyw  withoute, 

Gadred  with  hym  of  vileyns  a  gret  route, 

Leide  on  fyr,  that  with  flawmes  rede  1980 

Echon  consumyd  into  asshes  dede. 

1955.   Albinus  P. 

1961.    This  stanza  is  as  follows  in  P: 

Next  came  Adrianus  which  to  estate  full  hye 
Rose  in  his  time  (and  that  ful  sodeynlye) 
First  in  Rome  borne  but  of  lowe  degre 
toke  upon  him  to  gouerne  the  countre 
Off  Aifrike  through  hys  great  auctorite, 
and  by  hys  slye,  subtel,  and  false  werking, 
Mauger  Romains  ther  to  be  crouned  king. 

1975.   Vtices]  Stites  H,  Utica  P. 


Adrian,  born  of 
low  degree,  be- 
came a  praetor, 
and  was  sent 
to  govern 
Africa,  where 
he  took  upon 
himself  to  be 
crowned  king. 


He  was  upheld 
by  churls  and 
had  no  title 
except  his 
own  will. 


The  gentlemen 
of  the  country 
laid  siege  to 
him  in 
Utica,  and, 
piling  up 
wood  and 
faggots,  burnt 
him  into  ashes 
together 
with  a  large 
number  of 
his  oafs. 


^  MS.  J.  leaf  131  recto. 


2  MS.  J.  leaf  131  recto. 


728  Sothimuf,  whose  Covetousness  undid  him        Qbk.  vi 


[How  Synthonyus  kyng  of  Trace  ])at  moche  coueted  i 

affor  went  and  deied  in  pouerte.]  ^  ! 

ofThrcc. cimc  ^JE^'^  Adrian  caw  Syntonyvs  \ 

tcirfuiiy  to       X^    Tofor  Bocliax,  with  teris  spreywt  his  face;  1 

Mochas;  lor  he  .         ,  .    ,  ^        •'  I 

was  •uddciiiy     As  tlic  stori  rclicrsith  vnto  us,  1984 

cast  (rem  his       .       ,   .  ,  ,  r  'n 

royal  estate       In  liis  tynic  lic  was  KV"?;  01  1  race, 
Falle  sodenli  fro  Fortunis  grace, 

Cast  doun  lowe  from  his  estat  roiall,  I 

Which  kam  to  Bochflj  to  cowpleyne  his  fall.  1988 

t'o"ron'^u«"'''^  Whos  purpos  was,  yiff  it  wolde  haue  be, 

seven  realms  in  Scucnc  rewmys  taue  conquered  -with  his  hond,  1 

Greece  that  T>  U         • 

were  subject  to  1  hat  wcrc  sogct  to  Koome  the  cite;  1 

He  wiio  covets  And  allc  seuene  wer  of  Grekis  lond.  1992  j 

Who  al  coueiteth,  ye  shal  vndirstond,  1 


He  al  forgoth,  ful  weel  afFerme  I  dar. 
At  vnset  hour,  wheroff  ech  man  be  war. 

ql*red'by°""     Longe  or  his  conquest  was  brouht  to  a  preefF,       1996 
Sentius  and       From  hir  wheel  Fortune  cast  hym  doun. 

died  in  poverty.  i  i       i  if 

The  pretour  Sencyus  brouht  hym  to  myscheer, 

Deide  in  pouert,  as  maad  is  mencioun. 

And  Bochas  heer  maketh  a  digressioun,  2000 

Compendiousli  withynwe  a  litil  space 

To  descryue  the  regioun  of  Trace. 


[Here  Bochas  in  party  makith  a  descripcioun  of  the 
kyngdam  of  Trace  and  passith  over  lightly  to 
the  accomplisshment  of  his  book.]  ^ 

^  The  discripsion  of  J)e  same. 

^t^**i&mo°u"  *  np^RACE,  whilom  a  contre  of  gr^t  fame, 
na^e'Fafter'  ^^^  contcncth  a  ful  large  space;  2004 

Tiras,  son  of     And  of  Tiras  it  took[e]  first  \>t  name, 
toward's  the      Sone  of  laphct,  &  SO  was  callid  Trace. 
the  Danube^,      Which  many  a  day  duelled  in  that  place. 

Toward  Septemptrion,  plenteuous  of  good,  2008 

Beside  Dynoe,  the  large  famous  flood. 

1982.  Next  to  Adrian  P  —  Sothimus  P. 

1998.    Sentius  P. 

2CX)9.   Dynoe]  Danubie  P. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  131  recto.  *  MS.  J.  leaf  131  recto. 


{ 


BK.  vi]  The  Wars  of  Pompey  and  Ccesar  729 

Southward  Trace  renweth  the  flood  Egee,  [p.  3  22]  |^f  u  ^to^'^hT" 

Macedoyne  stant  in  the  Occident,  southward. 

And  the  kyngdam  caUid  Perpontide  2012 

Stant  in  Trace  toward  the  orient, 

Wher  gret  plente  of  blood  was  shad  &  spent, 

Whan  Sencyus  thoruh  his  hih  prowesse 

Kyng  Adrian  ther  manli  dede  oppresse.  2016 

Ebrus  in  Trace  is  the  cheefF  ryueer,  S^cWef  river- 

As  myw  auctOMr  maketh  mencioun;  —  ^"M  ^^an't 

-'  ....  write  any  more 

I  caste  nat  to  tane  in  this  mateer,  about  it,  as  i 

ry,  1  r  '-n  1  •       •  '"^"'^  ^°  8°  on 

1  o  make  or  1  race  a  descripciouw,  2020  with  my  trans- 

T->  1      •  1       •  lation  and  tell 

but  to  proceede  in  my  translaciouw,  about  Pompey 

Folwe  myn  auctowr,  which  writ  a  long  processe  ^  ^    ^^^^' 

Of  gret  Powpeye  &  of  his  worthynesse. 

[How  aftir  many  grete  conquestes  of  Duk  Pom- 
peye/  began  grete  werre  betwixt  him  and  Iul3ms 
iij?  Ml  were  slayn/  and  at  last  the  heed  of  Pom- 
peye  smyten  of  .3  ^ 

THIS  Powpeius,  of  whom  \>e  name  is  kout),     2024  n°meTafTe?his 
Wis  &  worl)i  &  famous  of  prowesse,  lVi^"hr^°^* 

Took  upon  hym  in  his  tendre  youth,  —  o°ce  led 

Afftir  his  fadir  bi  fortunat  duresse, 
Callid  Pompeye,  the  stori  berth  witnesse,  2028 

Distrussid  was  bi  sodeyn  deth  komyng, 
The  stori  seith,  thoruh  thundryng  &  lihtnyng, 

His  host  destroied  be  the  violence  Sen^iLrf/ 

Of  vnwar  tempest,  lik  as  seith  the  book,  2032  f^^'^J^^  ^^ 

Fourti  thousand  slayn  in  that  pestilence;  tempest. 

For  feer  the  remnant  anon  Jie  feeld  forsook,  — 

Til  yonge  Pompeie  of  corage  on  hym  took 

In  his  begynnyng  proudli  to  proceede  2036 

Ful  lik  a  kniht  his  fadris  host  to  leede. 

Roome  that  tyme  bi  ther  discenciouns  Wartime'  ^' 

Among  hemsilf  nih  brouht[e]  to  ruyne,  ?o'"mfn''by"fhe 

Bi  the  froward  fals  dyuysiouns  2040  wars  of  Marius 

T-  Tiyr       •       o     o    Ml         1  n'  a""  Sulla,  and 

Iween  Mane  &  bcilla,  breetli  to  t^rmyne,  it  was  then 

rj->-ii      1  1  that  the  sun 

liil  that  a  newe  sonne  gan  to  shyne  of  Pompey  be- 

Of  worthynesse,  which  that  shadde  his  liht,  ^^"  "  °  '"*" 

In  manli  Pompeie  the  noble  famous  kniht.  2044 

2012.   Propontidiee  P.       2015.    Sencyus]  Sothimus  P. 

2016.   dede]  to  H.      2017.   Hebrus  P.      2022.  long]  gret  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  131  verso. 


730  The  early  Conquests  of  Pompey  [bk.  vi 

life  orxurruT'Tliis  Said  Pompeie,  this  noble  knihtli  man, 
captains  in       y\f  \^[^  becv n?/ v^jc,  tlioruli  his  chcuahie, 

I  lie  proude  captey/;  sloiili  wha/;  lie  began, 
W  hicli  of  Manius  hecld  up  the  paitie,  2048 

Calhtl  Hrutus,  which  in  Loniharche 
Was  be  Pon/peye  thoruh  kniyhth  goU(?rnaunce 
With  al  his  host[e]  biouht  vnto  myschaunce. 

CaJb^'^ ^"dfy  In  '^'s  begynnyng  Po^npeie  eek  also,  2052 

to  bring  peace  'Yq  scttc  Romcyns  in  reste  &  in  quiete, 
Oon  that  was  callid  Gnevs  Carbo, 
He  slouh  hyin  knihtli  wha//  he  dede  hym  nieete, 
Which  in  Sicile  proudli  heeld  his  seete.  2056 

And  alle  the  contres  aboute  hym  enviroun 
Pompeie  made  hem  soget  to  Roome  tou«. 

fe^^^uefed""    Aftif  al  this  Pompeius  on  the  se 

Africa,  defeating  With  many  a  shipp-?  stuffid  with  vitaille  2060 

Domitius.  1     A  n'  •  I  i 

Toward  Arrrik  made  a  gret  arme, 

And  ther  in  haste  aftir  his  aryuaille 

\\  ith  Domicius  hadde  a  gret  bataille, 

Brouhte  the  contre  thoruh  his  hih  renoun  2064 

To  be  to  R6ome  vndir  subieccioun. 

Hiar^bTkingof  ^6  pursued  the  grete  myhti  kyng 
^'""?''^j^•  „       Callid  lertha,  to  Marrius  fauourabli?, 

Manus  s  aUy,        .       ,   ,        ,  ,         i         i  •  •    i      i  •  i 

And  hadde  also  his  roial  abidyng  2068 

In  Numedie,  a  contre  ful  notable. 

Ageyn  Powpeie  his  pow^eer  was  nat  habl^; 

For  at  a  castell  as  thei  mette  in  fiht, 

He  slouh  kyng  lertha,  ful  lik  a  manli  kniht.  2072 

tirae'brough7^  Thus  in  bteef  tyme,  holdyng  his  passage 
the  whole         Pqj-  comoun  ptoffit,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 

country  to  ...  ... 

•ubjection.        Bi  his  wisdam  &  knihtli  hih  corage 

Brouht  al  AfFrik  to  subieccioun,  2076 

Which  stood  afFor[e]n  in  rebelliouw 

To  the  Romeyns;   but  al  ther  sturdynesse 

The  said[e]  Powpeie  dede  in  haste  redresse. 

one'^SmoHus'    The  grettest  enmy  ageyns  Roome  toun  2080 

was  Rome's      Thilke  daies  was  oon  Sertorius; 

greatest  enemy,    .       ,       ^  »  i  •    i     •  j 

and  he  was       And  oi  tortune,  which  IS  now  up  now  doun, 

slain  by  his  ^^       y-,  .  .  . 

own  men.         Uu  Pompeie  onys  was  victorious. 

2062.    rivaile  H,  ryuaile  R  3,  ryuaille  H  5. 

2067,72.   lertha]  lerchaH,  Hiarbas  P.     2077.   afforn  stoodeH. 


BK.  Vl] 


The  early  Conquests  of  Pompey 


731 


But  aftir  soone  of  hyw  it  happid  thus: 
Amo?zg  his  meyne  fallyn^  at  debat, 
He  slay[e]n  was  in  his  most  hih  estat. 

Aftir  the  deth  of  this  Sertorivs 

Cam  Porpenna  Powpeie  for  tassaile; 

And  as  thei  mette  anon[e]  Powpeius 

Ful  hk  a  kniht  slouh  hym  in  bataile, 

Which  victorie  gretH  dide  auaile 

To  the  Romeyns.     Aftir  hi  goui?rnaunce 

He  brouht  al  Spayne  to  ther  obeissaunce. 

Bi  auctorite  youe  bi  the  Senat,  [p. 

This  noble  Pompeie,  for  vail  of  the  cite, 
Vpon  the  se  wolde  suffre  no  pirat; 
Wher-euer  he  cam  from  hym  thei  dede  flee: 
For  with  his  shippis  he  scoured  so  the  se 
And  bar  hym  ther  so  manli  with  his  bond, 
That  maugre  them  he  brouht  hem  to  the  lond. 

Al  the  piratis  and  thes  fals  robbowrs 
Igadred  wern  out  of  the  regioun 
Callid  Silice*,  which  lik  to  rauynoMrs 
Made  ageyn  Roome  a  conspiraciouw, 
Robbede,  spoillede,  seillyng  up  &  dou«, 
Romeyn  marchauwtis  &  peeple  of  ech  contre, 
That  non  was  hardi  to  passe  bi  the  se. 

AfFtir  Pompeie  hath  maad  the  se  tobeie, 
That  pirat  non  durst[e]  theron  abide, 
He  bi  the  Senat  was  sent  out  to  werreye 
Toward  thorient,  his  knihtis  be  his  side. 
And  wher-so-euer  that  he  dide  ride, 
Myn  auctour  writ,  bynfluence  of  heuene 
His  conquest  was  swifFt  as  wynd  or  leuene. 

And  to  encres  of  his  eternal  glorie, 
Perpetueli  to  geten  hym  a  name. 
His  laude  &  renouw  to  putte  in  memorie 
He  bilt  a  cite  in  Asia  of  gret  fame, 
Callid  Nichopoli,  Bochas  seith  the  same, 
Tween  too  floodis,  the  ton  Araxzases, 
And  the  tothir  was  callid  Eufrates. 


2084 


Perpenna  also 
attacked 

2088  p°™?^?:' >v^ 

was  kuled  by 
him  in  battle. 


2092 


.  -  « ]  By  the  author- 

J'^jJ  ity  of  the 

Senate,  Pompey 
scoured  the  sea 
2096  ^or  pirates. 


2100 


who  gathered 
together  out  of 
Cilicia,  robbing 
Roman  mer- 
chants. 


2104 


2108 


After  he  had 
made  the  seas 
safe,  he  was 
sent  to  the 
East, 


2II2 


where  he  made 
swift  conquests 

2 1 16  ^""^  built  the 
city  of 
Nicopolis, 
between  the 
Euphrates  and 
the  Araxes, 


2120 


2088.  Perpenna  P  —  for]  ovi.  H. 

2100.  brouht]  brouh  H.       2101.   the]  this  H. 

2103.  Silice]  Sicile  B,  J. 

2120.  Artaxerses  H,  Araxases  J,  Araxzases  R  3,  Araxes  P. 


732  The  Conquests  of  Pompey  []bk.  vi 

.1  .home  for    j^g  hWtt  this  citc  oiill  of  ciitent 

kniKhts  grown  •.      •  i   ■    i  r    ii      • 

oij  and  poor     That  Rouiev"  knihtis,  which  wer  falle  in  age, 

in   the  service  -'  .  ,  . 

cf  Rome.  And  such  as  \ver[ejn  in  the  werris  spent,  2124 

Sike,  vvou«did,  in  pouert  or  in  rage, 
Sholde  of  custum  haue  ther  herbergage 
In  that  citc  alway,  &  nat  faille 
Beddyng,  clothes,  spendyng  &  vitaille.  2128 

He  next  rode     Pompeye  aftit  rood  into  Armenye, 

into  Armenia        ^  ^        f    J  J     ' 

and  defeated      Rebel  to  Roomc,  whcr  1  igranes  was  kyng. 

1  ij^ranes,  who      _-,  -ii  i  oi  ii"i  i' 

had  rebelled,     Fauht  With  hym  thcf,  &  thoruh  his  cheualrie 

Discounfited  hym,  ther  was  non  abidyng.  2132 

Wher  Tigranes  hymsilue  submyttyng 
Vnto  Pompeie  with  eueri  circu^nstauwce, 
Euer  tabide  vndir  his  obeissau7tce. 

ma'lch'eT in  all  Than  in  al  haste  Pompeie  gaw  hym  hie  2136 

haste  to  Asia     ^q  j-jjg  Jn  Asia,  wher  lik  a  manli  kniht 

and  won  the  ,  ii-iAii 

kingdom  of       He  gat  the  kyngdam  callid  Albanye, 
all  the'  ^  "'  Which  took  his  name,  who-so  looke  ariht, 
people  are        Of  whiht[e]nesse;   for  eueri  maner  wiht  2140 

That  ther  is  born,  be  record  of  writyng, 
Whiht  as  snouh[e]  hath  his  her  shynyng. 
born  with  white  Yi^g J.  \jqqy^  houwdis  mcrueilous  of  nature, 

hair,  and  there  ••11 

are  dogs  that     pQj-  tassaile  bolis  and  leouns;  2144 

can  overcome  all  •.  i      i  i  J 

manner  of  wild  No  wildc  bccstc  ageyn  hem  may  endure. 

beasts.  r>       rt  i   • 

So  Pompeye,  bi  many  regiouns 

Rood  thoruh  Armenye  with  his  champiouws, 

Wher  growen  herbes  that  may  neuer  feywte,         2148 

What-euer  colour  men  list  with  hem  peywte. 

iber^rrria"^    Conquercd  rewmys  aboute  in  eueri  cost: 
and  p'hoenice,    Qf  Hibcrie  he  gat  the  regeouw, 

the  aty  named     .,,  ,,  -iii'i 

after  phoenii,    And  Artaces  the  kyng  with  al  his  host  2152 

Discounfited,  as  maad  is  mencioun. 
With  his  poweer  to  Surrie  he  cam  doun, 
Than  to  Fenise,  a  cite  of  gret  fame, 
Which  of  Fenix  whilom  took  his  name.  2156 

and  took  pos-    gfouhte  al  thcs  contres  to  subiecciouw: 

session  01  oidon 


and  ituraea,     Qf  Sydonye,  the  myhti  strong  cite 

and  passed  the  ■'  ■'     '  -^  .         ° 

mountains  of     Qf  Itutyc,  hc  tooK  pocessiouw; 

judaer."  '"  °    Thoruh  Arabie  he  cam  dou«  to  ludee,  2160 

2122.   this]  a  H.       2139.   ariht]  riht  H.       2149.   to  peynt  H. 
2155.   Phenice  P.       2156.   Phenix  P  —  his]  Jje  H. 
2158.   Sidon  P. 


BK. 


VI] 


Pompey  at  the  Height  of  his  Power 


733 


Which  of  lewes  was  suwtyme  the  contre. 
Of  Libanus  he  passed  the  mouwteyw, 
Wher  cedris  growe[n],  as  auctour[e]s  seyn. 

Sent  [to]forn  hym,  entryng  in  that  reum,  2164 

Oon  Gabynus,  a  myhti  strong  constable; 

Regnyng  that  tyme  in  Iherusalem 

Aristobolus,  a  prince  ful  notable. 

And  for  the  temple  was  strowg  &  nat  p^rmiable,  2168 

Leide  a  siege  aboute  in  breede  &  lengthe 

Space  of  thre  monethes,  &  gat  it  so  bi  strengthe. 

Thre  thousand  lewes  vndir  the  wal  wer  founde, 

Ded  at  thassat,  which  made  resistence;  2172 

The  wal  aftir  doun  beten  to  the*  grouwde. 

Pompeye  afFtir  bi  sturdi  violence 

Is  entrid  in  withoute  reuerence, 

Sancta  sanctorum  men  that  place  call,  2176 

Made  Hircanius  hiest  preest  of  all, 

The  grete  bisshop  Aristobolus,  [p.  324] 

Sent  to  Roome  in  myhti  cheynis  bouwde. 

Toward  Septemptrion,  I  fynde  write  thus,  2180 

Gat  seuene  kyngdames  with  citees  wallid  rouwde. 

Rebel  to  Roome,  he  dide  hem  cowfounde; 

With  mihti  suerd[e]  gat  al  the  contre 

Fro  Caucasus  douw  to  the  Red[e]  Se.  2184 

In  his  conquest,  it  sempte  v^rraily 

As  the  goddis  hadde  doon  ther  cure, 

And  that  Fortune  was  with  hem  eek  besi, 

This  myhti  Pompeye  prince  to  assure,  2188 

What-euer  hym  list  be  conquest  to  recure: 

In  Spaigne  he  gat,  whan  thei  wer  rebell, 

Thre  hundred  citees  &  sixty*  strong  castell. 

Hard  to  remembre  his  conquestis  eumchon, 

Alle  the  prowessis  of  this  knihtli  man: 

Toward  the  parti  of  Septemptrioun 

A  thousand  castell  I  fynde  that  he  wan, 

Sixe  hundred  mo,  fro  tyme  that  he  gan, 

Eihte  &  thretti  cites,  out  of  doute. 

With  myhti  wallis  closed  round  aboute. 


Jerusalem  was 
besieged  by 
Gabinus  for 
three  months, 
Aristobolus 
then  reigning, 


and  3000  Jews 
died  at  the 
assault. 


Aristobolus  was 
sent  to  Rome 
in  chains,  and 
Pompey  sub- 
dued seven 
rebel  countries, 
conquering  from 
the  Caucasus 
to  the 
Red  Sea. 


It  seemed  as  if 
the  gods  and 
Fortune  had 
united  to  assure 
him  in  his 
conquests. 


___.  which  were  so 
"     many  that  it  is 
hard  to  remem- 
ber them  all. 


2196 


2164.  tofom]  frome  H. 

2168.  nat^  om.  J  —  p^frmiable]  pregnable  P.       2170.   thre]  lij  B. 

2173.  doun  beten  to  the]  beten  dou«  to  B,  J,  H,  R  3,  P. 

2191.  sixty]  thretti  B.      2195.  castellys  J. 


734  ^ke  great  Deeds  of  Povipey  [bk.  vi 

He  w«.  chosen  PgJse  hls  dccclis,  liis  conquestis  marciall: 

consul  three  _  i  r         i   • 

times:  and  if     Thrlcs  consul  chosc  for  Ills  encres;  2200 

you   read.vou        ,-,         ,  i      i    r         J      1  U  II 

will  find  that     Reed,  ye  shal  tynde  now  he  was  egall 

he  was  the  peer,,,        ...  ,  ,,  . 

of  .Alexander         lo  AllSaluirC  OF  tO   HdCUlCS. 

.nd  Hercules.      ^y,^^^^.  ^,^.^^  ^^^^^^^  ,^^   ^^^^  hy;„silff  ill   piCS, 

Al  cam  to  hand,  concludyng,  ye  may  see,  2204 

To  comou;/  profiit  of  Roome  the  cite. 
Tryphanes.        pjjg  n^areiall  decdis  to  putte  in  remembraunce, 

famous  of  i       i  •       i-ii- 

ehxjuence,  was  Qon  was  chosc  to  do  lus  diUigence 

chosen  to  put  j,   i   •  •  i  o 

his  conquests     To  cnactc*  his  conqucst  in  substaiiTtce  2208 

'thcTubii'i:  "*     And  his  knihthod  of  synguler  excellence; 
expense.  y^^j  Triftancs,  famous  of  elloque?zce, 

Assigned  was  onto  that  labour, 

Took  his  guerdoun  of  ther  comoun  trifsowr.  2212 

Pompey  be-      Pompeye  of  Roome  was  cheef  gouernowr, 

came  chief  ^  ,  •       /-.        i  r  * 

governor  of       Ccsat  absent  in  Gaule,  a  terre*  contre, 
th°c'i^'^absent       Which  tymc  Pompeie  stood  in  gret  fauour 
in  Gaul.  Bothe  of  Fortunc  and  Roome  the  cite,  2216 

Sumwhat  maad  blynd  of  his  prosperite, 
Purposyng,  in  his  clymbyng  nat  stabl*?. 
He  wolde  haue  non  that  wer  to  hyw  semblabl<?. 
but,  as  neither    Vnto  purpos  was  saide  ful  yoFC  agOH,  2220 

love  nor  high  ,  ,  i  i   -i     i         i    i   • 

worship  will  have j-Jow  that  louc  nouthet  hih  lordsnippe,  — 

fellowship,  he  _,  ,         ,     ,  ,    .  i 

desired  to  be     PieeiT  hath  be  maad  in  many  mo  than  oon,  — 

alone  in  power,  -^^^^j^^j.  ^f  J^^^^^  ^,^lJg  J^^^g  ^^  felashipc; 

Ech  bi  his  oon  wolde  his  parti  keepe:  2224 

In  thes  too  caas,  brothir  onto  brothir 
Failleth  at  a  poynt;   ech  wil  put  out  othir. 
and  made  all     ^q  Pompeye  resortyng  now  ageyn,  — 

the  laws  himself .  i  i  i      u  -11  o 

He  took  on  hym  al  the  gouernaiile  2228 

Of  the  Romeyns,  as  ye  haue  herd  me  seyw, 
Bothe  of  estatis,  comouns  &  poraille. 
And  for  his  part  al  that  myhte  [a]vaille 
In  makyng  lawes,  statut  or  decre,  2232 

Al  up  engrosed  bi  his  auctorite. 
The  enemies  of  Yo\\i  this  whilc  which  that  had  envie 

Caesar  conspired  .... 

against  him       Toward  Ccsar  in  his  longe  absence, 

statute  forbid-   Lcct  make  a  lawe  bi  conspiracye  2236 

offi?e'"whii"''°''*And  a  statut,  concludyng  in  sentence, 

absent  from      Withoutc  cxcepcioun,  fauouF  or*  reu^rence, 

2208,   enacte]  encrece  B,  J.       2214.   ferre]  gret  B. 
2225.   caas]  cases  P,  casys  H  5.       2230.    comoun  H. 
2238.   or]  of  B. 


BK. 


vi]         The  Fallhig-out  of  Pompey  and  Casar 


735 


When  Julius 
heard  of  this 
he  demanded 
the  triumph  and 
the  estate  of 
second  consul, 


22;2 


alleging  his 
conquests  as 
22e-6  his  right  to 
•^     reward. 
The  Senate, 
however. 


No  man  sholde,  be  wil  of  the  Senat, 

In  his  absence  be  chose  to  non  estat,  2240 

Nor  been  admittid  be  no  procutour 

Taue  auctorite  of  dignite  [n]or  offis, 

In  court  of  tribun  nor  off  senatour 

To  be  promotid;   this  was  ther  auys,  2244 

Wer  he  neuer  so  manli  nor  so  wis. 

This  lawe  ordeyned  be  folk  envious, 

For  hyndryng  onH  of  Cesar  luhus. 

Whan  luHus  knew  al  ther  fals  werking,  2248 

Fro  Gaule  sente  up  to  the  cite, 

Al  the  Senat  requeryng  be  writyng 

To  graunte  hym  bi  ther  auctorite 

Of  tryumphe  the  notable  dignite. 

To  haue  also  thoffis  and  thestat 

Callid  in  Roome  the  seconde  consulat, 

For  hym  aleggyng  many  gret  victorie 
In  dyuers  contres  doon  for  the  cite. 
Many  conquest  notable  of  memorie 
Wrouht  bi  his  knihthod;   for  which  of  equite 
Requeryng  them  guerdoned  for  to  bee.  • 
But  contrarie  vnto  his  entent 
Denied  hym  al  bi  oon  assent. 

Which  was  cheeff  ground,  roote  &  occasiouw  [p. 

That  brouht  in  first  the  contrauersie, 

Cyuile  discordes,  froward  dyuysiouw. 

Whan  eueri  man  drouh  to  his  partie 

Of  old  hatreede  to  kyndle  newe  envie, 

Causyng  princis  lulius  &  Pompeie 

To  ther  confusioun  ech  othir  to  werreye.  2268 

The  tryumphe  denyed  to  Cesar,  — 

Fraude  of  Powpeie  made  hym  therof  faile, 

Of  whos  deceit  lulius  was  war, — 

Made  hym  redi  with  many  strong  bataille,  2272 

Passed  ouer  the  Alpies  of  Itaille, 

Fulli  in  purpos,  pleynli,  yiff"  he  myhte. 

With  the  Romeyws  and  Pompeie  for  to  fihte. 

Thus  gan  the  werre  atween  thes  princis  tweyne. 
Pompeye  chose  for  parti  of  the  touw 
To  been  ther  duk  &  capteyn  souereyne 
Ageyn  Cesar,  as  maad  is  menciouw. 

2242.    auctorite]  Auctours  H.       2258.   of  equite]  of  riht  &  equyte  H. 


2260 


^  _  -l  denied  his  re- 
j     bi  quest,  and  that 
was  the  chief 
cause  of  the 
2264  civil  war. 


Caesar  knew 
the  fraud  of 
Pompey  and, 
crossing  the 
Alps, 


-»..A  prepared  to 

2276  gght  the 

Romans;  and 
thus  the  wars 
between  these 
two  princes 
began. 


736  Signs  and  Portents  bejore  the  War  [bk.  vi  j 

And  thus  alas  the  dcsolacloun  2280 

Sucdc  of  tlie  cite,  be  many  strau;!ge  signe, 
With  vnkouth  toknis,  whan  thei  ga?i  maligne. 

■ 

^ngVuangf ""  ^^  ^^^^  Kyi"'"y"K  o^  ^^"^8  woful  wertis, 

comen  and       j^  the  heueiic  wer  sevn  drcedful  siht^j —  2284  1 

uncouth  .tan       p  ,,,,."'.,  ,  .  i 

were  seen  in      bparklvnc  Droiidis,  coiTietis,  vnkouth  sterns, 

thesky.  burning      '.    ,      A  C  C  r         f    1   lU 

like  lamps  all  With  Hawme  ot  tyr  many  teertul  \ihtcs  i 

•Ifdsp^a"^'  Lik  lauwpis  bren«y7/g  al  the  longe  nihtifj", 

flew  aboJt  in  CastYPg  of  spefes,  dartis  in  the  hair,  2288 

the  air.  Wherbi  Romeyns  till  in  gret  dispair. 

STghfnin'^g"     From  the  parti  of  Septemptrion 

came  from  the  Toward  Roomc  Cam  ful  gret  Hhtnyng;  ; 

north,  and  •  i-i     Pi        J      1  I 

•tars  were        At  non  scyn  sterns;  lik  blood  the  sunne  shon;     2292 

visible  at  noon,  ,-p,,  ,.  ■  .,  ,      .         . 

The  sun  shone    1  he  moonc  cclipsed,  terrible  in  shewyng; 

in<x)n  eclipsed!  The  mouwt[e]  Ethna,  feerfulli  brennyng, 

cast  red  flame^s  From  his  cauemis  cast  up  flawmys  rede  ! 

fromhlsci'verns.  Toward  Itaille,  which  set  hem  in  gret  dreede.        2296  ' 

SSi''up"t"  Ou<=  of  Karibdis,  a  daunger  of  the  se, 
Charybdis;  and  Wawcs  tcrfible  boilcd  up  Hk  blood; 

from  the  rocks  i  i  i  i  •       /-.       -i      i  ' 

of  Sicily  was     \*  rom  the  rokkes  that  in  Cecile  bee  '; 

howling  of  mad  Was  herd  howlyng  of  houndis  that  wer  wood.  2300               J 

Vesta  the  goddesse,  in  Roome  ther  she  stood,  j 

Mid  hir  temple  was  al  with  teres  spreynt,  | 

Whan  the  heuenli  fyris  w'ern  afForn  hir  queynt.  j 

Vesu"waT  °^    Afforn  this  goddesse,  at  the  aulter  princepall         2304 
tea"rs^'the*eJ'-  ^^^  ^^^  perpetuel  brenwyug  day  &  niht,  ' 

petuai  fire  that  Til  wcrris  cyuyle,  hatful  &  mortal,  , 

burned  before      /-^        j,  t\  o       ^  •  n  I 

her  parted  in     Cjan*  amoug  Romeyns,  &  the  contagious  hht.  1 

Than  of  vengaunce  anon  was  queynt  the  liht        2308 
Tofor  Vesta,  the  fire  partyng  on  tweyne,  1 

Of  dyuisioun  a  tokne  ful  certeyne. 

overturnefby    Erthc-quaucs  sodeyu  &  terrible 

sudden  earth-    Ouertoumcde  castclHs  vp-so-doun;  2312 

quakes;  there  .  ...  1 

were  tidal         With  Tage  floodis  hidous  &  horrible  i 

waves,  drowning ,-  ,.  ,  ,  .  j 

villages  and       JNeptunvs  dide  gret  destruccioun, 

upsetting  the        T^  i       •n  o  • 

golden  vessels    Urowncd  Villages  &  many  a  mansioun, 

in  the  temples.  Rgugj-sed  in  tempHs  of  gold  al  ther  vessellis,  2316  i 

Threw  doun  baners,  standardis  &  penselis. 


2292.   noon  H,  J.       2302.   hir]  his  H. 

2304.   aulter]  Aucteer  H.       2307.   Gan]  Gat  B. 


BK.  Vl3  The  Senators  inquire  the  Fate  of  Rome 


737 


Geyn  these  signes  was  fouwde  non  arest, 

The  vnwar  myscheeff  koude  no  man  declyne. 

Leouns,  wolues  kam  down  fro  the  forest 

With  many  othir  beestis  sauagyne; 

Wilde  beris  &  serpentis  of  rauyne 

Kam  to  the  cite;   &  summe  ageyn[e]s  kynde 

Spak  as  do  men,  in  Bochas  thus  I  fynde. 

Dyuers  foulis,*  which  of  ther  nature 

Haue  in  custum  to  fleen  but  a-niht, 

Affor  thes  werris  dede  hewsilf  assure 

Euene  at  mydday,  whan  Phebus  is  most  briht, 

Thoruh  the  cite  for  to  take  her  fliht. 

Womwen  with  childre  —  the  stori  list  nat  feyne 

Brouht  foorth  summe  that  hadde  hedis  tweyne. 

Tofor  thes  werris,  that  callid  wer  cyuile, 

Senatours  beyng  in  Roome  touw 

Cam  to  the  woman  that  callid  was  Cybile, 

Vnto  hire  made  this  questioun: 

To  declare  bi  short  conclusioun, 

Among  ther  other  questioun[e]s  all, 

Of  ther  cite  what  fortune  sholde  fall  ? 

To  whom  she  gafF  an  ansuere  ful  obscure, 

Wherupon  she  made  hem  sore  muse: 

Took  hem  sixe  lettres  set  in  pleyn  scripture. 

Which  in  no  wise  thei  myhte  nat  refuse. 

For  false  rihtis  that  thei  dede  vse; 

Lik  the  thre  lettres  twies  set  in  noumbre. 

Who  vndirstondeth,  thei  shal  the  toun  encouwbre. 

Thre  R.  R.  R.  first[e]  she  set  on  a  rowe  [p.  326] 

And  thre  F.  F.  F.  in  ordre  faste  bi,  — 

Long  tyme  aftir  or  thei  koude  knowe  2348 

Thexposicioun  therof  openly, 

Til  ther  dyuynours  gan  serche  sotilly 

To  fynde[n]  out,  lik  to  ther  entente, 

Be  the  sexe  lettres  what  Cibile  mente.  2352 

Off  this  woord  Regnum  the  first  lettre  is  R, 

So  is  the  capital  ofF  Roome  the  cite; 

Who  looke  ariht,  the  thridde  is  nat  ferr^,  — 

2318.  fouwde]  doon  H.       2324.   thus]  as  H. 

2325.  foulis]  folkis  B,  folkys  J.       2326.    on  niht  H. 

2340.  sore]  full  sore  H.       2341.   sixe]  vj  B  —  pleyn]  om.  H. 

2351.  lik]  firste  lik  H.       2352.   the]  thes  H, 

2354.  1st  the]  om.  H. 


No  man  could 
turn  away  the 
mischief. 
Lions  and 

2 ■J 20  wolves  came 

down  from  the 
forests  to 
Rome,  wild 
bears  and 
ferocious  ser- 
pents speaking 

,,,,   the  language 

^O'^'*  of  men. 

Night  birds 
were  seen  flying 
at  midday; 
and  some 
women  brought 
forth  children 
2328  with  two  heads. 


Before  the  wars 
"32  the  senators 

went  to  Sibylla 
and  inquired 
the  fate  of 
the  city. 


2336 


She  set  sir 
letters  in  a  row, 


2340 


2344 


three  R's  and 
three  F's;  and 
it  was  long 
before  the 
diviners  could 
find  out  that 
the  letters 
meant, 


Regnum 

Romae 

Ruet; 


738  Thf  Ruin  and  Desolation  of  Rome  [bk.  vi 

This  woord  Ruct  p;yn;/cth  with  R,  parde.  2356 

Of  \vhicli[e]  woordcs  \\h:u;  thci  ioyned  be, 
1  he  sentence  conchidctli  in  ineenyng, 
Oft  ther  cite  the  ruynous  fallyng. 

Framma,         Touchyng  thrc  F.  F.  F.,  who  caw  adueitise,  2360 

Fames.  Qf  ^.Wxs  wootd  Ferto,  F  go[c]th  tofoin; 

And  the  chcefi^  lettre  off  Fames  to  deuyse 

Is  F  also,  the  processe  weel  forth  born. 

The  same  of  Fhmi»/a,  hi  which  J)e  town  was  lorn,   2364 

C)ft  which  resou«s  make  a  coniu//cciou«, 

Causyng  of  Roome  fynal  destruccioun. 

hin'Kcrfroward  ^Y^^  swetd  &  hunget  caused  be  the  werrls, 

ambition  the     Dcsyf  of  clymbyng,  froward  ambicioun,  2368 

shewing  O'^,  r-orii 

comets  and       Shcwyng  Or  cometis  &  or  vnkouth  sterns, 

strange  stars        ttt.    .  ••  rr  r    i        i    j 

and  wilful         \\  1th  pronostikes  oft  [therj  deserciouw, 

division  accom-   \\7  ril  "iflJ 

piished  the        W  erst  ot  alle,  wiltul  dyuysiouw 

ruin  of  Rome,    ^^^^^j^g  hemsilff"  bl  vnwar  violence,  2372 

Off  lettres  sexe  accowjplisshid  the  sentence. 

uveen"cisar     ^hc  suerd  of  CcsaT,  werHs  of  Powpeye, 
and  Pompey      Tween  thcs  tweyne  lastyng  a  longfe]  while, 

lasted  long  and  -'  o     t       i-  l    • 

caused  the        Made  many  Romeyn  &  Italien  to  deie,  2376 

a  Roman,  as     Bi  the  batailes  that  callid  wer  cyuile, 
ucan  testi  e  .  ^Y|j.j^  prophecies  remembred  of  Cebile, 

As  the  writyng  ful  weel  reherse  can, 

Of  the  old  poete  that  callid  was  Lucan.  2380 

if  Mars't'he'^    I"  Mart^j  temple  on  heihte  wher  he  stood, 
priests  offered    ^^id  Bellona,  the  goddesse  despitous, 

up  their  blood  •      1    0        n-      J  l  Li        J 

with  lamenta-     1  he  ptecstes  cned  &  orrred  up  ther  blood 

gods'were  con-  With  lamentaciouns,  lik  folkis  furious,  2384 

trary  to    ome.  (^^j^gg  ^^  tokuys  fell  and  contratious 

Which  that  wer  shewed  in  that  seyntuarle, 
How  ther  goddis  to  Romeyns  wer  cowtrarie. 

madr^en"'e°e    Mong  dede  bouys  that  leyen  in  ther  grauis  2388 

heard  among     Wcr  voises  herd  lik  wood  men  in  ther  rages, 

the  dead  bones  ^-^  _  .      . 

in  their  graves,  Cry  oi  goostis  m  cauemys  &  cauys,  i 

ghosts  in  ffeid    Herd  in  feeldis,  paththis  &  passages;  | 

terrifylng'^the     Laboureres  fledde  horn  to  ther  villages,  239a            I 

agriculturists.     Serpcntis,  adderes,  scaled  siluer*  briht,  j 
Wer  ouer  Roome  seyn  fleeyng  al  the  niht. 

2373.  sexe]  vj  B. 

2375.  attween  H — longe]gret  H,  J,  great  P.      2378.   of]byH. 

2387.  ther]  bflt  H.       2390.    &J  &  in  H. 

2393.  sIluer3*wonder  B. 


1 


BK.   Vl] 


The  Defeat  of  Pompey  by  Ccesar 


Another  tokne,  pltous  for  to  heere, 
Which  astoned  many  proud  Romeyw, 
Dede  bodies*  dide  in  the  feeld  appeer^, 
Which  in  bataille  hadde  afForn  be  slayn, 
From  ther  tombis  arisyng  wher  thei  lay«, 
Which  in  the  werris,  woful  &  despitous, 
Wer  slayw  be  Scilla  &  proude  Marrius. 

It  was  eek  tolde  bi  ther  dyuynours, 

How  Pompeyus  was  lik  to  haue  a  fall, 

And  how  thestat  of  Romeyn  emperowrs 

With  ther  tryumphes  that  been  imperial 

At  lulius  first  ther  begynne*  shal; 

And  afFtir  hym  thestat  shal  foort[h]  proceede 

Be  eleccioun  or  lyneal  kynreede. 

To  withstonde  the  poweer  of  Cesar, 
Which  toward  Roome  took  his  weie  riht, 
Pompeye  was  sent,  wis,  mawli  &  riht  war; 
But  whan  he  herd[e]  tellyn  of  the  myht 
Of  lulius,  he  took  hym  to  the  fliht; 
Eek  alle  the  senatowrs  with  hyw  dede  flee 
Toward  Epire,  in  Grece  a  strong  cite. 

Pompeye  was  old,  famous  in  cheualrie, 
Cesar  but  yong  [&]  hardi  for  tassaille. 
Vppon  the  pleyns  of  Grece  &  Thesalie 
Pompeye  &  he  hadde  a  gret  bataille: 
Geyn  lulius  suerd  no  Romeyw  mihte  auaile; 
Constreyned  of  force  the  feeld[e]  to  forsake, 
Toward  Egipt  thei  haue  the  weie  take. 

Pompeye  thoruh  Cipre  cam  to  Tholome, 

Bi  a  gret  watir  at  Paphus  dede  aryue; 

On  the  stronde  ther  he  dide  see 

A  statli  place,  &  up  he  wente  blyue, 

The  name  of  which,  pleynli  to  descryue, 

Cacabosile  the  contre  dede  it  call. 

Of  which[e]  name  the  fortune  is  thus  fall: 


2396 


739 

Serpents  with 
scales  of  silver 
flew  over  the 
city  all  the 
night,  and 
corpses  of  men 
slain  before  in 
the  wars  of 
Marius  and 
Sulla  arose 
2400  from  their 
tombs. 


Pompey's  fall 
was  fore- 
told by 
diviners,  who 
said  also  that 
the  estate  of 
Roman 

emperor  would 
begin  with 
Caesar. 


2404 


2408 

Pompey  was 
sent  out  to 
withstand  the 
power  of 
Caesar,  but 
fled  together 
2412  with  the 

senators  to 
Epirus, 


2416 


where  there 
was  a  great 
battle  on  the 
plains  of  Thes- 
saly.     Pompey 
lost  and  sought 
refuge  in 
Egypt, 


2420 


journeying 
by  way  of 
2424  ^ypTMZ  and 
^   ^  landing  first  at 
Catobasilea, 
which  means 
"unfortunate 
arrival." 


2428 


2397.  bodies]  bonys  B. 

2406.  ther3  om.  J  —  begynnyng  B. 

2417.  &]  om.  J,  R  3. 

2418.  playn  H. 
2424.  Paphos  P. 

2426.  &  ther  he  went  vp  blive  H. 

2428.  Cacobasile  P. 


740  T^f^f  Death  of  Pompey  ^bk.  vi 

fell 'n^d^rair.   The  name  tokne  of  froward  arryuaill,  [p.  327]                ! 

crmc*roLmn.  Sownyiig  in  Greek  vnhappi  auenture.  \ 

Be  which  the  trust  of  Pompeie  did[e]  faille,  —      2432  | 

Fill  in  dispeir,  niyht  it  nat  reciire,  —  J 

Forsook  that  ilc,  dcdc  his  bcsi  cure  \ 

To  take  a  shipp,  so  bi  the  se  saillyng  , 

Toward  Egipt,  wher  Tholome  was  kyng.  2436                j 

"ipK  ''^  '''Of  trust  he  fledde  to  this  Tholome,  j 

ploicmyi  pr^    ^"  ^'^P^  ^^  sholde  fyndc  in  hym  socour:  i 

tendinK  frienj.  Fair  checr  shewed  vndir  duplicite,  ' 

ehip,  told  Ills       1^    -It     1  1  r  1  <■  />  i 

men  to  murder  Rallied  at  the  poynt,  gat  hym  teynt  fauoi/r,  2440 

Al-be  Powpeye  bi  his  freendli  labour  I 

Crownid  hym  kyng  in  Egipt,  as  I  fynde,  \ 

To  whom  ageyn  he  was  fals  &  vnkynde.  ' 

To  meete  Ponipeye  he  leet  stufFe  a  barge  2444                ! 

Be  a  maner  pretence  of  freendliheede,  \ 

GafF  his  meyne  that  wer  ther  in  charge  \ 

To  moordre  Powzpeie,  behiht  hem  a  gr^t  meede.  ' 

Tweyne  ther  wern,  which  to  hyw  bar  hatreede;  2448                \ 
And  in  the  vessel,  with  sharp  suerdis  whette, 
Or  he  was  war[e],  of  his  hed  thei  smette. 

and  PhSs    The  ton  of  hem  was  callid  Achillas,  \ 

S  "Bor^'n'of  "^"^  ^^^  felawc  namyd  was  Fotyne.  2452  1 

gentle  stock,  he  Took  Up  the  hed[e]  of  that  prince,  alas, 

W3S  one  01  iy^  *f*ii        11  f* 

the  best  knights  1^  amous  m  knihthod,  born  of  eentil  Ivne, 

of  his  time;  ad  i 

Among  Komeyns,  as  auctowrs  determyne, 

Holde  in  his  tyme,  yifF  men  doon  hyw  riht,  2456 

Thoruh  al  the  world[e]  oon  the  beste  kniht. 

prin«s"fi^  all  Thus  erthli  princis,  vfith  al  ther  pompous  fame, 
faml'fi'rTt^k  ^hlch  thoruh  the*  world  yiuet  so  gr^t  a  sou«, 
mulde'r'i^nd''     ^f  slauhtre  &  moordre  thei  took[e]  first  \,er  name,  2460 
extortion;  and    Bi  fals  rauyne  and  extorsioun 

by  the  burning   ^,  u  c  i 

of  countries  andv^lamo  up  SO  nrst  to  clomynaciouM. 

conquest  by  T)  r  .... 

violence  rose  to  DTennyng  ot  contres,  conquest  bi  violence  * 

t^^^'^mtn,     Sette  hem  in  chaieres  of  worldli  excellence.  2464  ' 

not  counting        t         i   •      i  -i  i   •    i  .  ( 

kings  and         In  this  bataile,  which  callid  was  cvuvle,  ! 

praetors,  con-      ttij^  r>  o     r^  tt 

suis  and  cen-     Hola  atwecn  Powpeye  &  Cesar  lulius, 
6i"a?n."''  """'^     Thre  hundred  thousand  slay[e]n  in  a  while, 

Thre  thousand  take,  the  stori  tellith  thus,  2468 

j 

2440.   Failled]  failyng  H.       2448.   bar]  born  H. 

2459.  the]  al  the  B,  H,  J,  R  3,  H  5,  P.  ^    i 


BK.  \Q 


The  Head  of  Ponipey  brought  to  Casar  741 


2480 


could 
not  strike  the 
ground  for  the 
dead,  which 
were  eaten  by 
wolves  and 
bears  and 
ravenous   (owls. 


Gobbets  of  flesh 
fell  from  the 
claws  of  birds 
upon  Julius' 
face,  soiling  it 
with  blood. 


Withoute  princis  notable  &  glorious, 
As  kyngis,  pretours,  reknid  all  attonys, 
Tribunys,  consulis  &  centuryonys. 

Phebus  on  the  soil  myht  nat  his  bemys  spreede,  2472  ^^g^su^n  co°ui 

Nor  on  the  ground  shewe  out  his  cleer[e]  liht; 

Men  that  wer  slay[e]n  lay  so  thikke  on  breede, 

That  of  the  erthe  no  man  hadde  a  siht. 

Wolues,  beres,  rauynous  foul  off  fliht,  2476 

Kam  gret  plente  to  feede  hem  ther  ech  day 

Beside  the  ryueer  of  Nile  wher  thei  lay. 

Gobetis  of  flessh,  which  foulis  dede  arace 
Fro  dede  bodies,  born  up  in  the  hair, 
Fill  from  ther  clees  vpon  lulius  face, 
Amyd  the  feeld  wher  he  had  his  repair. 
Made  his  visage  bloodi  &  nat  fair, 
Al-be  that  he  to  his  encres  of  glorie 
Hadde  thilke  day  of  Romeyns  the  victorie. 

The  bed  of  Pompeye,  brouht  with  his  statli  ring. 

OfFrid  up  to  lulius  hih  presence, 

He  be  compassioun,  the  moordre  aduertisyng. 

Of  his  innat  imperial  excellence 

Brast  out  to  weepe,  &  in  his  aduertense 

Thouhte  gret  pite,  a  prince  of  so  gr^t  myht 

Sholde  so  be  slayn,  that*  was  so  good  a  knyht. 

The  corps  abood  withoute  sepulture, 

Til  oon  Coodrus  of  compassioun 

Aftir  the  bataille  &  disconfiture 

Besouht[e]  hym,  of  gret  afFeccioun, 

To  hide  the  trunke  lowe  in  the  sondis  doun. 

Souhte  tymbir,  and  ther  he  fond  but  smal, 

To  doon  exequies  with  fires*  funeral. 

Now,  sithe  this  prince  kam  to  such  myscheeff, 
Moordred  and  slayn  bi  Tholome  the  kyng: 
Heer  of  hir  poweer  Fortune  hath  maad  a  preefF, 
What  trust  ther  is  in  any  worldli  thyng. 
Aftir  his  deth  wantid  he  nat  buriyng?  — 
This  proude  Powpeie,  so  famous  of  his  bond. 
Of  fissh  deuoured,  as  he  lay  on  quik  sond! 


2484 


The  head  of 
Pompey  and 
his  ring  of 
state  were 
2488  brought  to 
Cjesar,  who 
burst  into  tears 
of  pity. 


2492 

His  body  was 
buried  by 
Codrus  in  the 
sand,  and 
there  was 
but  little  wood 
2496  for  a  funeral 
pyre. 


J,       What  trust  is 
2500  jjjgyg  ;q  any 

worldly  thing.' 
Think  of  this 
proud  Pompey 
devoured  by 
fishes,  as  he  lay 
in  quicksand. 
2504 


2482.   had]  made  H  —  his]  om.  J. 
2489.   lunat  B.       2492.   that]  &  B. 


2499.  fires]  feestls  B. 


742  An  Envoy  on  Vain  Amhition  [jrk.  vi 

shouiVmen  set  ^'^^^  slial  men  sette  bi  poweer  or  noblesse 

by  transitory     Qf*  sliclyng  gooclis  Of  any  worlcUi  glorie,  2508 

worldly  glory?    WhlcH  to  icstrcync  may  be  no  sckirnesse? 

Fortune  and  tlie  world  is  transitorye; 

Thouh  Mars  to-day  ylue  a  man  victorle, 

Parcas  to-mor\ve  vnwarli  he  shal  deie,  —  2512 

I  take  record  of  Cesar  and  Pompeie. 

Si!d"r'thc"co"n^-'  Slth  al  stant  vndir  daunger  of  Fortune,  [p.  328] 

troi  of  Fortune.  Yc  worldli  men  doth  your  look  up-dresse 

look,  worldly  ..,,  '^ 

men,  to  that     To  thilkc  place  wher  loie  doth  ay  contune;  2516 

the  Blind  Lady  The  Blynde  Ladi  hath  ther  non  interesse. 

has  no  power,     o    ^         •  j  *  l        ^    I  ^  1 

bet  pride  aside,  tak  you  to  meeknesse, 

To  sue  vertu  doth  treuli  your  labour, 

Geyn  worldli  pompe  mak  Pompeie  yowr  merowr!  2520 


Lenvoye. 

Duke'pompV^  -npHIS  tragedie  of  the  duk  Pompeie 
declares  that        X      Declareth  in  gros  be  cheef  occasioun 

vam  ambition      ..,,.,  ,    „  r 

to  have  lordshipWhi  he  auo  Cesar  gaw  hrst  to  werreie, 

was  the  chief       t>    i  i   •  i  i  i  •    • 

cause  of  the      Lch  ageyn  othir,  tnoruh  veyn  ambicioun  2524 

war  between        T'      i  i        j    l   •  11 

him  and  C;esar.   lo  haue  lordsliipe  and  domynaciouw 

Ouer  the  Romeyns,  bi  fauour,  fraude  or  myht,  — 
Pocessiouw  take  no  fors  of  wrong  or  riht. 

wiiiing\o"obey  To  trouthis  parti  pride  is  loth  tobeie;  2528 

truth;  wise        Extort  powcer  doth  gret  destruccioun; 

policy,  prudent  .\    .         .  J^ . 

counsel  and       vVis  policie  31  out  Or  the  weie, 

discretion  are       t-»        i  •!  •    i      t 

far  away.         rrudent  counsail,  age  with  discreciouw 

Possession  cares  t        ^^i  I'L^         C  C  1 

not  for  wrong    Loste  ther  Iiberte  or  tree  elecciouw.  2532 

or  right.  Who  was  most  strong,  wit^  hym  heeld  eu^ry  wiht,  — 

Pocessioun  take  no  fors  of  wrong  nor  riht. 

ca'n^hem°bot'h  Swich  dyuysioun  made  many  maw  to  deie, 

down  from  her  Brouhte  the  cite  to  desolacioun.  2536 

wheel;  for  their  .       . 

eyes  were  made  With  thcse  too  pnncis  T  ortune  iist  to  pleic, 

blind  by  subtile  ,-r,.,    ~  i   •  i         i      i  i  111 

deceit,  fraud      i  il  trom  hir  whcei  she  cast  hem  bothe  doun. 

and  collusion,      o       mj         '^r         j      0  11 

botil  deceit,  iraude  &  collusioun 

Bambicious  clymbyng  blente  ther  bothe  liht,  —  2540 

Pocessioun  take  no  fors  of  wrong  nor  riht. 

2508.  Of]  Or  B. 


BK.    Vl] 


The  Fate  of  Julius  Ccesar 


743 


Noble  princis,  remembreth  what  I  seie, 

Peiseth  this  stori  withyne  in  your  resoun, 

Of  fals  surmountyng  auarice  berth  Jje  keie,  2544 

Record  of  Cesar,  Pompeye  of  Roome  toun, 

Whos  wilful  werris,  hatful  discencioun 

Yiueth  cleer  warnyng  to  you  &  eueri  wiht, 

No  cleym  is  worth  withoute  title  of  riht.  2548 


Noble  Princes, 
remember 
Caesar  and 
Pompey  of 
Rome. 
No  claim  is 
valid  without 
title  of  right. 


[How  victorious  lulius  Cesar  brent  the  vessels  of 
Tholome  slouh  Achillas  that  wolde  ha  moordred 
him  &  after  grete  victories  himsilf  was  mordred 
wit/i  boidekens  bi  brutus  Cassius.]  ^ 


AFFTIR  the  woful  cowpleint  lamewtabk 
Of  Pompeis  deth^*,  pitous  for  to  heer^, 
Werris  remewbrid,  with  tr^souns  importable, 
Compassid  fraudis  farcid  -with  fair  cheers, 
Conspired  moordre,  rehersid  the  maneer^ 
How  kyng  Tholome,  fraudulent  of  corage, 
The  deth  conspired  of  Pompeie  fall  in  age. 

The  processe  tolde,  I  holde  it  wer  but  veyw 

Therof  to  write  a  newe  tragedie; 

Thyng  onys  said,  it  to  reherse  ageyn, 

It  wer  but  idil,  as  for  that  partie. 

But  how  Cesar  went  out  of  Thessalie, 

Kam  Talisaundre  to  logge  hym  in  that  place, 

I  wil  remembre  with  support  of  youx  grace. 

He  logged  was  in  his  paleis  roiall, 
Wher  he  was  besi,  be  diligent  labour 
Thoruh  that  regiouw  in  templis  ouerall 
To  spoile  goddis  and  haue  al  ther  treso^r, 
Wher  he  was  mokkid,  fond  ther  no  fauowr; 
For  Achillas,  which  that  slouh  Pompeie, 
Cast  hym  with  Cesar  proudli  to  werreie. 

His  purpos  was  to  falle  upon  Cesar, 

As  of  nature  was  his  condiciouw 

Falsli  to  moordre  men  or  thei  wer  war, — ■ 

Bi  sum  sleihte  to  fynde  occasiouw 

To  destroye  lulius  be  tresouw. 

And  tacomplisshe  his  purpos  in  partie 

Hadde  twenti  thousand  in  his  cuwpanye. 


After  the  woeful 
complaint  of 
Pompey's  death 
and  the  manner 
of  King  Ptole- 
my's conspir- 
2552  ing  it, 


2556 


I  hold  it  vain 
to  write  thereof 
a  new  tragedy; 
but  I  will  tell 
how  Caesar 
went  to  Alex- 
andria 


2560 


2564 


and  busied  him- 
self in  spoiling 
temples,  finding 
little  encourage- 
ment, for 
Achillas,  who 
slew  Pompey, 


2568 


2572 


withstood  him 
with  20,000 
men,  hoping 
to  fall  upon 
and  destroy 
him. 


2576 


1  MS.  J.  leaf  134  recto. 


2561.   Alexandry  P. 


744  Casars  Conquest  of  Egypt  [bk.  vi 

wf," leader ^.°  J  This  AcHillas,  fals,  cruel,  deceyuahle, 
constable  of  the  Q^^^f  \]y^x\  (Iccevuc  Ccsaf  vif  'ic  iiivlite, 

Lytyptians,  in-  -    .        .  -  -'  -^  ' 

tended  to  Kive  Of!  liegipciciis  Icilcr  aiicl  constable 

Romans,  but     With  the  Romcy^is  purposcth  for  to  fihte.  2580 

Ptolemy"  navy  But  vvhan  Ccsar  therof  hadde  a  sihte, 

He  is  descendid,  &  faste  bi  the  se 

Brent  al  the  naue  of  kyng  Tholome. 

a°gVca"part''of  ^^^^  ^^^  vesselis  wer  dryue  up  with  a  flood  2584 

the  city  and      'Yq  grct-  damage  of  seide  Tholome; 
library  of         luHus  breute  hcm  euene  ther  thei  stood, 

40.000  volumes.    •       ,  i        •  i         r    i  • 

And  a  gret  part  beside  or  the  cite. 
And  ther  was  brent,  which  was  ful  gret  pite,         2588 
The  famous  librarie  in  Egipt  of  the  kyng, 
■  Ful  fourtl  thousande  volumys  ther  liggyng. 

fh°a*t^*i  waV      In  which  thyng  Bochas  reherseth  in  sentence, 

mendaWe'oi      How  Tholome  was  gtctli  comendable,  2592 

Ptolemy  to       That  thoruh  his  besi  roial  prouydence 

such  a  notable  Made  hymsilfF  a  librarie  so  notable; 

b^ksTo"  °he    For  to  al  clerkis  in  studie  that  wer  hable, 

use  of  scholars.  Qp  gg^g^g  scicnccs,  the  stori  maketh  mynde,         2596 

Lik  ther  desire  myhte  bookis  fynde. 

fhe're  wis  f^'  Afftir  this  fyr,  in  Farus  the  contre,  [p.  329] 

battle,  and        xp,g  Egipciens  hadde  a  gret  bataille, 

Cssar,  near  »  *^  o  > 

defeat  took  a    Whcr  Ccsar  was  of  gret  necessite  2600 

Egypt  That  day  constreyned,  whan  the  feeld  gan  faille, 

Take  a  barge  from  Egipt  for  to  saille. 
But  so  gret  pres[e]  folwed  at  his  bak. 
Almost  the  vessel  was  lik  to  go  to  wrak.  2604 

es"cip"ed"be'ing    ^esar  armyd,  with  lettres  in  his  bond, 
wrecked.   He     p^-  \{^^  persoue  that  day  in  auenture; 

was  forced  to^  ■'  ' 

swim  200  paces  Two  hundred  pas  manly  swam  to  lond, 

to  land  in  his       «       i    i  i'  i  i    i  i       i 

heavy  armour.   And  Kunnyngli  to  lond  he  doth  recure,  2608 

Natwithstondyng  his  heuy  strong  armure. 
But  yit  toforn  or  Cesar  took  the  se. 
He  in  the  feeld  hadde  take  Tholome. 

Ptoilmy  "^l    And  Achillas,  the  moordrere  of  Pompeie,  2612 

oner  and  slew    With  allc  his  fclawcs  that  wer  of  assent 

Achillas  and  all 

his  feUows.       Wer  slayn  that  day;  ther  went[e]  non  aweye: 
Many  Egipcien  the  same  tyme  brent. 
Cesar  of  mercy  for  Tholome  hath  sent,  2616 

2582.   the]  om.  H.       2590.   thousande]  M  B. 
2598.    Pharos  P.       2604.   to  wrak]  awrak  H. 


BK.  Vl] 


Ccesars  Conquest  of  Egypt 


74S 


To  Alisaundre  sent  hym  horn  of  newe, 
Chargyng  he  sholde  to  Romeyns  forth  be  trewe. 

But  whan  he  was  delyuered  fro  prisouw, 

Of  Egipciens  in  AHsauwdre  the  cite,  2620 

From  eueri  coost  he  gadred  gret  foisouw, 

Ageyn  luHus  kam  dou«  with  his  meyne; 

But  yit  for  al  his  hasti  cruelte, 

Swich  resistence  Cesar  gan  to  make,  2624 

That*  twenti  thousand  that  day  wer  slayn  &  take, 

Sixti  galeis  nat  ferr  fro  the  lond, 

Tuelue  thousand  men  komyng  to  Tholome,  — 

Echon  wer  yolde  and  brouht  onto  the  hond 

Of  lulius  his  prisoneres  to  bee. 

Than  Tholomeus  besied  hym  to  flee 

Toward  the  watir,  wher  maugre  al  his  myht, 

He  drowned  was  in  his  gret  hasti  fliht. 

He  knowen  was  bi  his  riche  haberioun, 

Of  gold  and  steel[e]  it  was  entermayUd, 

Bi  Cesar  sent  onto  the  roial  toun, 

Which  for  difFence  was  strongli  enbatailed,  — 

BokeHs  of  gold  richeli  enamailed, 

Which[e]  toknis  anon  as  thei  haue  sey«, 

Disespeired  to  Cesar  sente  ageyn. 

Of  them  to  Cesar  was  maad  feith  &  homage; 

The  rewm  of  Egipt  brouht  to  subiecciouw, 

Til  he  of  grace  and  merciful  corage* 

To  Cleopatra  gaff  al  that  regiouw, 

Longyng  to  hire  be  successioun. 

Be  title  of  riht  that  tyme  &  non  othir, 

Because  only  Tholome  was  hir  brothir. 

Kyng  Lagus  whilom  in  his  testament, 
Fadir  to  Cleopatra  &  to  Tholome, 
Toforn  his  deth  bi  gr^t  auisement 
Cleerli  enacted  his  laste  volunte, 
That  his  kyngdam  departid  sholde  be, 
Half  to  Tholome,  as  his  bequethe  was. 
The  tothir  halff  to  queen  Cleopatras. 


Ptolemy  was 
taken  to  mercy 
and  sent  home 
with  the  bidding 
to  be  loyal  to 
Rome;  but  as 
60on  as  he  was 
set  free  he 
came  down 
against  Csesar 
with  an  array 
and  lost  20,000 
of  his  men, 

60  galleys  and 
12,000  more 
men,  who  were 
on  their  way 
2628  '°  3''^  him. 


2632 

Ptolemy  fled 
towards  the  sea 
and  was 
drowned.     His 
body  was 
recognized  by 
2636  its  rich  armour 
with  golden 
buckles. 


of, An  '^^^  Egyptians 
2040  submitted  to 
Cjesar,  and  he 
made  Cleopatra, 
Ptolemy's  sister, 
queen. 


2644 


2648 


Their  father 
had  devised 
the  kingdom  to 
both  of  them, 
each  to  rule 
one  half; 


2652 


2620.   AHsaundry  P.       2625.  That]  Than  B. 

2632.   his]  J)e  H. 

2634.  entirmailed  J,  entirmailled  R  3,  entyrmaylled  H  5,  enter- 

mayled  P. 
2642.   corage]  werkyng  B.       2646.   only]  only  l)at  H. 


74^  J  Digression  on  Clothes  [bk.  vi  ] 

h"d  kcpt'hu      She  bi  hir  brotlilr  was  holdc  in  prisoiin  ' 

t'Xrlvri,""  l^o  keepc  hir  wrongh  from  hir  heritage, 

of  her  .hare.     Whcroff  Cesar  haddc  compassiouw,  2656  ' 

Purposed  hym  to  refourme  hir  damage. 

And  whil  that  he  heeld  ther  his  hostage,  ! 

Of  equitc,  of  lawe  and  of  rcsoiwj. 

Of  al  Egipt  gaff  hir  pocessiou/z.  2660 

Sb."  ir/of     ^  Than  kam  luba,  of  Libie  lord  &  kyng,  \ 

.nd'c™'iTa"n'^  Sowete  of  stryues  and  discenciou«, 

un  scipb  b'ef'  P^«"^'  .'^''^  of  port'  ^^"^1  in  werkyng,  ] 

cause  he  sue-     Which  in  especial  haddc  indignaciou/i  266A  ! 

cecdcd  Pompey  i  t  >  i   •  i  ^    •     ■  .iw^  \ 

as  consul  and     Vnto  tlic  wofthi  laste  bcipioun,  1 

whfch'JuL'''      Cause  he  was  chose,  Hk  as  bookis  seie,  ; 

fining  only'for  To  succecdc  ncxt  consul  to  Pompeie.  1 

himself  as  king.  ' 

This  luba  eek  bar  to  hyw  gret  hatreede,  2668  ] 

Souht  a  quarel  ageyn  hym  for  o  thyng,  I 

Cause  that  he  was  clad  in  purpil  weede,  , 

For  hym  aleggyng,  how  onh  that  clothyng 

No  maner  estat  sholde  vse  but  a  kyng:  2672  ' 

Mente  for  hymsilff,  sittyng  in  roial  throne. 

He  wold  as  kyng  that  colour  were*  allone. 

di^ress'iorhere^Heer  myw  auctour  maketh  a  digressiouw, 
no'n'font so  P"«yng  exaumple  of  Almayne  the  contxe;  2676 

dothing  ll  the  Seith  that  ther  is  non  othir  nacioun 
people  of         Touchyng  array  that  is  so  disgise 

Almayne.  -r  r    i      i  i  n     • 

In  wast  or  cloth  and  superfluite, 

Rehersyng  her*  in  ful  pleyn  langage,  2680 

In  many  wise  such  wast  doth  gret  damage. 

fluity  In^'attire   It  causeth  pride  and  ambicioun,  [p- 330] 

aXgiv'es'occa-  ^gcyn  the  vcrtu  of  humylite; 

and  bring^      ^^  jechene  it  yiveth  occasiouw,  2684 

people  to         Which  is  contrarie*  vnto  chastite. 

poverty  and         ,,^  ^  r   ii     • 

makes  the  rich  Wast  oi  array  sett  rolk  in  pouerte, 

disdainful  of        /~\  ,1        1  i 

the  poor.         i^auseth  also  such  costage  spent  in  veyn 

Off  othir  porere  to  haue  ful  gret  disdeyn.  2688 

2658.  that]  om.  H. 

2662.  dissenciouws  H. 

2674.  that  colour  were]  vse  that  colour  B. 

2680.  her]  ther  B. 

2685.  contraire  B,  J. 


BK.  Vl3 


A  Digression  on  Clothes 


747 


Wher  superfluite  is  vsid  of  aray, 
Riot  folweth,  proud  port  &  idilnesse; 
With  wast  of  tyme  dryue  forth  the  day, 
Late  drynkyng,  wach,  surfet,  dronkenesse, 
Engendreth  feueres  &  many  gr^t  axcesse. 
Thus  eueri  surfet  englued  is  to  othir, 
And  o  mysreule  bryngeth  in  anothir. 

God  suffreth  weel  ther  be  a  difference 
Touchyng  array,  as  men  been  of  degre: 
Hih  estatis,  that  stonde  in  excellence, 
Mut  be  preferrid,  of  resouw  men  may  see; 
As  cloth  of  gold,  stonis  &  perre 
Was  for  princis,  with  othir  fressh  clothynges. 
But  specialli  purpil  was  for  kyngis. 

Thus  was  ther  set,  of  hih  discreciouw. 
Array  accordyng  to  princis  hih  noblesse; 
And  for  othir  estatis  lower  douw, 
Lik  ther  degrees  tween  pouert  &  richesse. 
An  ordre  kept  from  scarsete  &  excesse, 
A  mene  prouided  atween  hih  &  lowe, 
Lich  to  hymsilfF[e]  ech  man  may  be  knowe. 

But  kyng  luba,  insolent  &  mad. 
Of  surquedie  kauht  [an]  oppynyouw 
That  non  but  he  in  purpil  shal*  be  clad, 
Causyng  debat  tween  hym  &  Scipiouw. 
Yit  wer  thei  parti  bothe  with  Roome  toun 
Ageyn  Cesar,  and  drouh  toward  Powpeie, 
For  which  at  myscheef  bothe  thei  dide  deie. 

Whan  luba  felte  hymsilf  of  noun  poweer 
Ageyn  Cesar  to  holde  chaumpartie. 
For  sorwe  he  loste  contenauwce  &  cheer; 
Of  hih  disdeyn[e]  and  malencolie 
Callid  on  Pectryn,  a  kniht  off  his  allie. 
Made  hym  bassent  that  thei  wer  bothe  fay« 
Felli  to  fihte  til  oon  off  hem  was  slayn. 

Ageyn  nature  was  this  strauwge  fiht, 
Ech  to  slen  othir,  &  knew  no  cause  whi,  — 
But  for  kyng  luba  was  an  hardi  kniht. 
He  slouh  his  felawe  and  abood  proudli, 


Riot,  proud 
behaviour,  idle- 
ness and  drunk- 
enness follow, 
engendering 
fevers  and 
2692  agues:  each 
surfeit  gives 
rise  to  another, 
and  all  move 


in  a  vicious 
circle. 


2696 


God  permits  a 
difference  in 
clothing:  high 
estates  must  be 
well  dressed 
and  wear  cloth 
of  gold  and 
jewels;  and 
2700  purple  is  the 

colour  for  kings. 


2704 


Other  estates 
lower  down 
should  array 
themselves 
according  to 
their  degrees. 


2708 


2712 


King  Juba,  in- 
solent and 
mad,  thought 
that  he  alone 
was  entitled  to 
wear  purple, 
and  quarrelled 
with  Scipio, 
although  both 
were  against 
Caesar. 

2716 

When  he  saw 
that  he  was  too 
weak  to  fight 
Csesar,  he  lost 
heart,  and  in  a 
rage  challenged 
2720  Petreus,  a 

knight  of  his 
acquaintance, 
to  mortal 
combat. 


Juba  killed  his 
^7^4  friend  Petreus, 
and  then  chose 
to  die  himself 
rather  than 
live  in  bondage. 


2693.   excesse  H,  J,  R  3,  P,  H  5.       2708.   providyng  H, 

2712.    but  he  non  shal  in  purpil  B. 

2721.   peyntryn  H,  Peitryn  J,  Peytryn  R  3,  H  5,  Petreus  P. 


748  The  Death  of  Juba.     Aristobolus  [bk.  vi 

And  rather  ches  to  delen  wllfuUl,  2728 

Of  hih  dcsplht[e]  &  of  proud  corage, 
Ihan  vndir  Cesar  to  lyuen  in  seruage, 
mon.^ 'aether  Maad  callc  a  man  whom  he  loued  weel, 

'fxTn"*' him'.     ^^^  ^"'•^  ^^y"  ^^^^  ^"^^^  ^  ^^^^  guerdoun  2732 

UfKc  reward,     To  talcc  a  suerdlc]  forgid  of  fyn  steel, 

bade  him  smite     .        ,  ,  ,  ,-p  .  j-|        * 

oflF  his  head.      And  make  therorr  no  long  dilacioun, 

But  bad  he  sholde,  for  short  conclusloun, 

Take  upon  hym,  &  haue  no  feer  nor  dreed,  2736 

Withoute  tarieng  to  smyten  of  his  hed. 

■wh"h^'"bccr,   Thus  kyng  luba  rather  ches  to  deie 

««nt  prisoner     Than  lenget  lyue  in  subieccioun 

Pompcy.  was     Vndir  Ccsar;  he  loued  so  weel  Pompeye.  2740 

released  by  _,  ~,,  r»       i  J    • 

Cisar,  and       ^  1  han  ncxt  to  Dochas,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 
hrs^klgdom^*'"  Cam  Aristobolus,  with  face  &  look  cast  doun, 
Which  was  to*  Roome,  afForn  as  I  haue  told. 
Sent  hi  Pompeye  to*  be  kept  in  hold.  2744 

[Aristobolus.] 

Which  aftir  was  delyuered  fro  prisoun 
Bi  help  of  Cesar  in  ful  hasti  wise, 
Stondyng  in  hope  of  his  regioun 

To  be  restored  vnto  the  fraunchise,  2748 

Wher  Hircanus,  as  ye  haue  herd  the  guise,* 
Preferred  was,  to  his  gret  foorth[er]yng, 
Bi  Powpeie  of  lewes  crowned  kyng. 
Unfortunately    Which  AHstobolus  hopeth  to  recure,  2752 

he  fell  into  the  *^  ' 

hands  of  a        Caste  mcnys  ther  to  regne  ageyn, 

captain  who  r"  j-i      i-      i         • 

had  been  in      Wrouhte  theton,  dide  his  besi  cure, 

ice'^anTwhT^    Whos  hasti  labour  was  but  spent  in  veyn. 

Sning"!  ^"^    Fill  in  the  handis  of  a  proud  capteyn  ^  2756 

Which  that  whilom  was  longyng  to  Pompeie; 

And  he  with  poisoun  vnwarli  made  hyw  deye. 

[How  the  last  Scipioun  Consulere  of  Rome  for  he 
not  list  to  lyue  in  seruage  of  luljrus  roff  himsilf 
to  te  hert.]  ^ 

S"ian  oTthl   '\T^-^'^  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^  worthi  Scipioun, 

Scipios  who      X>|    Which  aftir  Pompeie  was  maad  consuleer,  2760 

was  defeated        itr  •    r         i  t     i  1- 

together  with     vVtt^  whom  luba  was  at  discencioun 

Juba  by  Cisar.    _  •  l  j  1 

l*or  weryng  purpre,  as  it  was  told  wol  er, 

2743.  to]  in  B.      2744.   to]  for  to  B.       2748.  the]  his  H. 
2749.   the  guise]  deuiseB.      2750.  to]  in  H.      2762.   purpull  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  135  recto. 


BK.  vi]        The  last  Sclpio.     Pompey's  Son  Pompey 


749 


And  aftirward  fill  in  ful  gret[e]  feer, 

Whan  Cesar  hadde  withynwe  Libie-lond  2764 

Outraied  [hem]  bothe  with  strong  &  myhti  hond. 

Wherbi  Sipioun  gan  fallen  in  despair,  [p.  331] 

Loste  his  cheer,  as  man  disconsolat, 

With  thre  Romeyns  gan  make  his  repair,  — 

Damasippus,  Plectorie  and  Torquat,  — 

Goyng  to  shipe,  the  tyme  infortunat, 

Toward  Spayne;  but  tempest  gaw  hem  dryue, 

That  thei  in  AfFrik  vnwarli  dede  aryue.  2772 

Scipiouw  seeyng  this  woful  caas  sodeyne. 

How  he  was  brouht  vnwarli  to  myscheefF; 

For  Scicius,  a  myhti  strong  capteyn, 

Beyng  a  pirat  and  off  the  se  a  theeff,  2776 

Which  is  a  name  of  ful  gret  repreeff,  — 

The  same  pirat,  longyng  to  Cesar, 

Fill  on  Scipioun  or  that  he  was  war, 


Despairing,  he 
took  ship  to 
Spain,  but  was 
driven  back  to 
2768  Africa, 


where  Sicius,  a 
pirate  friendly 
to  Csesar,  fell 
on  him, 


2780 


Beyng  in  purpos  take  hym  prisoneer 

Withynwe  his  shipp  toforn  his  arryuaill; 

For  which,  alas,  dulle  gan  his  cheer. 

His  contenauwce  appallen  &  eek  faille. 

To  fynde  counfort  no  man  coude  hym  couwsaille,  2784 

Pullid  out  a  suerd,  whan  he  myht  nat  a-sterte, 

And  roof  hymsilff[e]  euene  to*  the  herte. 

This  was  the  eende  of  laste  Scipioun: 
Leuere  he  hadde  at  myscheef  for  to  deie 
Than  vndir  Cesar  lyn  fetrid  in  prisoun 
Or  to  his  lordshipe  in  any  wise  obeye. 
^  To  Bochas  next  hym  cam  Pompeye, 
Sone  and  heir  to  gret[e]  Pompeius, 
Contraire  also  to  Cesar  lulius. 


intending  to 
take  him 
prisoner. 
In  his  extrem- 
ity he  pulled 
out  a  sword 
and  thrust  it 
into  his  heart. 


He,  too,  died 
rather  than  be 
2788  %  captive  of 
'         Laesar. 

After  him, 
Pompey,  son 
and  heir  of 
Pompey  the 
Great,  appeared 
before  Bochas. 


2792 


Hadde  brethren  &  sistren  mo  than  oon, 
And  many  another  of  ther  alliauwce. 
And  of  assent  thei  cast  hem  euerichon, 
Ther  fadris  deth  hauyng  in  remembrauwce, 
Vpon  Cesar  to  take  therof  vengauwce, 
Eek  upon  Tholomee,  which  bi  coUusioun 
Slouh  ther  fadir  bi  ful  fals  tresouw. 

2775.   Sicyus  H,  Sicius  R  3,  P. 

2783.   H  inserts  the  word  purpose  before  contenau«ce. 

2786.  to]  thoruh  B,  H  5. 


He  and  his 
brothers  and 
sisters  deter- 
mined to  be 
2706  revenged  on 
Csesar  and 
Ptolemy. 


2800 


75° 


Tbe  Triumph  of  Julius  Casar 


[bk.  VI 


Pompey  fought 
with  Cxsar  in 
Spain,  and, 
put  to  fliftht. 


and  not  know- 
ins  what  to  do, 
hid  in  a  cave 
and  was  slain. 


Finally,  all  o( 
Pompey's  kin- 
dred were 
brought  to  de- 
struction by 
Caesar,  whose 
renown  in- 
creased. 


His  power  had 
been  proved  in 
Lybia,  Spain, 
Italy,  Germany, 
Lombardy 
and  France. 


Returning  to 
Rome,  he  put 
an  end  to  the 
civil  war  and 
received  the 
triumph, 


The  eldest  brothir  callld  cek  Pompeye, 

Beynj^  in  Spaigne  with  ful  grct  apparaill, 

Cast  hym  of  newe  Cesar  to  werreye 

Aiul  his  pccple  proiulH  to  assaille.*  2804 

And,  as  I  fynde,  ther  was  a  gret  batallle, 

In  which  Pompeie,  the  eldest  sone  of  thre, 

Bi  lulius  men  constreyned  was  to  flee. 

He  fond  no  socour  nor  receit  hym  to  saue,  2808 

Off  his  lyff,  he,  stondyng  in  gret  dreed, 

Knowyng  no  reffut,  fledde  into  a  caue, 

Tescape*  awey  knew  no  bettir  reed, 

Wher  he  was  slayn;  to  Cesar  brouht  his  hed,        2812 

Sent  foorth  in  scorn  anon  to  Hispalee, 

Which  in  Spaigne  is  a  ful  gret  cite. 

Thus  bi  processe  al  hooli  the  kynreede 

Of  Pompeius,  for  short  conclusioun,  2816 

Bi  Cesar  wern  &  bi  his  men  in  deede 

Withoute  mercy  brouht  to  destruccioun. 

Thus  gan  encrece  the  fame  &  the  renoun 

Of  lulius  conquest  on  se  &  eek  on  londe,  2820 

Whos  mortal  suerd  ther  myht[e]  non  wit^stonde. 

First  in  Libie,  Spaigne  and  eek  Itaille* 
Thexperience  of  his  roial  puissaunce, 
In  Germanye  bi  many  strong  bataille,  2824 

His  poweer  preved,  in  Lumbardie  &  in  Frauwce. 
Brouhte  alle  thes  kyngdames  vndir  thobeissaunce 
Of  [the]  Romeyns:   peised  al  this  thyng  &  seyn 
Touchyng  his  guerdoun,  his  labour  was  in  veyn.    2828 

Toward  Roome  makyng  his  repair, 

Of  hym  appesed  cyuyl  discenciouns. 

Of  throne  imperial  clywbyng  on  the  stair; 

For  the  conquest  of  threttene  regiouws,  2832 

Of  the  tryu?nphe  requered  the  guerdouns. 

Which  to  recure  his  force  [he]  hath  applied, 

Al-be  the  Senat  his  request  hath  denied. 


2804.  tassaille  B.      28 1 1.  To  scape  B. 

2822.  in  Itaille  B. 

2825.  Lumbardie]  Germanye  H,  R  3,  H  5  —  in  Lumbardie  &] 

ful  often  tyme  J,  ful  oft  times  P. 

2827.  al3  as  H.      2832.  xiije  B. 

2834.  recure]  replye  H. 

2835.  request]  conquest  H. 


BK.  vi]         Calipurnia's  Dream  and  Casars  Death  751 

And  his  name  mor  to  magnefie,  2836  tAe^apltd, 

To  shewe  the  glorie  *  of  his  hih  noblesse,  '''"^'^  ^'^  ^^- 

o  II-  crees  as  em- 

To  the  Capitoile  faste  he  gan  hym  hie,  peror-  That 

,  .       ,  I  J  day  began  with 

As  emperour  his  doomys  ther  to  dresse.  joy  but  ended 

That  day  began  with  ioie  &  gret  gladnesse;  2840 

The  eue  nothyng  accordyng*  with  the  morwe: 
The  entre  glad;  the  eende  trouble  &  sorwe. 

Calipurnia,  which  that  was  his  wifF,  Cafpurni'a 

Hadde  a  drem  the  same  niht  afforn,  2844  hefiord'wouid 

Toknis  shewed  of  the  funeral  strifF,  tl^the'^Ca'^ri 

How  that  hir  lord  was  likli  to  be  lorn  the  next  day. 

Be  conspiracy  compassed  &  Isworn, 

YifF  he  that  day,  withoute  auisement,  2848 

In  the  Capitoile  sat  in  iugement. 

She  drempte,  alas,  as  she  lay  &  sleep[te],        [p.  332]  Jh^^ter' 
That  hir  lord,  thoruh  girt  vfith  many  a  wounde,  Mj^'  ^'^^"'^ 

Lay  in  hir  lappe,  &  she  the  bodi  kepte  2852  wounds,  lay  in 

Of  WOmawheed,  llk  as  she  was   bouwde.  her  dream  came 

But,  o  alas,  to  soth  hir  drem  was  fouwde! 
The  nexte  morwe,  no  lenger  maad  delay, 
Of  his  parodie  was  the  fatal  day.  2856 

A  poore  man  calHd  Tongilius,  _  namedTongiims 

Which  secreli  the  tresouw  dede  espie,  uTaTon^'^ut 

Leet  write  a  lettre,  took  it  lulius,  Csesar 

neglected  ills 

The  caas  declaryng  of  the  conspiracie,  2860  warning, 

Which  to  reede  Cesar  list  nat  applie. 
But,  o  alas!  ambicious  necligence 
Caused  his  mordre  bi  vnwar  violence. 

Cesar  sittyng  myd  the  consistorie,  2864  ?hf  mi"st"of'° 

In  his  estat[e]  most  imperiall,  w^'s'muldered 

Aftir  many  conquest  &  victorie,  with  bodkins. 

Fortune  awaityng  to  yiuen  hym  a  fall. 

With  boidekenys,  percyng  as  an  all,  2868 

He  moordred  was,  with  many  mortal  wounde. 

Loo,  how  fals  trust  in  worldli  pompe  is  founde! 


2837.   gloire  B,  J. 

2841.   accordyng  nothyng  B. 

2844.   toforn  H,  R  3,  beforn  J. 

2868.  bodkyns   H,   bodkynes   R  3,   boidekynes  J,   Boydkynnys 
H  5,  Bodkins  P. 

2869.  many  a  H. 


752  ^n  Envoy  on  Julius  Ccrsar  ^bk.  vi 

Lenvoye. 

morc"^fui''    npHORUM  al  this  hook[cl  Tad  cch  tragedie, 
of'aeMr'*"  Aftorn  rehersid  &  put  in  r^'iiiembrance,         2872 

Is  non  nior  woful  to  my  fa/ztasie, 
Than  is  the  fall  of  Cesar  in  substau/ice, 
Which  in  his  hiest  imperial  puissaunce 
Was,  whil  he  wende  haue  be  most  glorious,  2876 

Moordred  at  Roome  of  Brutus  Cassius. 

countri'e/'to  '"  This  marcial  prince  ridyng  thoruh  Luwbardie, 
•ubjection,  and  g^h  contrc  yolde  &  brouht  to  obeissaunce; 

yet  he  was  -'  .  i  i     /^ 

inurJered  at      Passyng  the  Alpies  rood  thoruh  Germanye,  2880 

Rome  by  _,-'?.  \  ,,  ri- 

Brutus  Cassius.  1  o  subieccioun  brouht  the  rewm  or  l^raunce, 
Gat  Brutis  Albioun  bi  long  contynuaunce: 
To  lustris  passed,  this  manli  lulius 
Moordred  at  Roome  bi  Brutus  Cassius.  2884 

las  ha"chc"  b'y  Among  thc  Sen  at  was  the  conspiracye 
the  Senators,     ^\\q  q^  assent  &  of  oon  accordaunce,  — 

in  spite  01  .  . 

whom  he  had    Whos  tryumphc  thei  proudli  gan  denye; 

celebrated  his      _,  i  i  11 

triumph.  hsut  maugre  them  was  kept  thobseruaunce,  2888 

His  chaar  of  gold  with  steedis  of  plesaunce 
Conveied  thoruh  Roome,  this  prince  [most]  pompous, 
/  The  moordre  folwyng  bi  Brutus  Cassius. 

TOnque°ts''and'  Rckne  his  conquest,  rekne  up  his  cheualrie  2892 

his  chivalry.      With  3.  countirpeis  of  worldli  variaujice: 

and  compare  i  •      c        i   • 

them  with        Fortunys  chaungis  for  his  purpartie;  — 
ancei  Weic  al  to-gidre,  cast  hem  in  ballaunce, 

Set  to  of  Cesar  the  myscheeuable  chaunce,  2896 

With  his  parodie  sodeyn  &  envious,  — 
Moordred  at  Roome  bi  Brutus  Cassius. 

jupiter°united    Bookis  allc  and  cronicles  specefie, 

to  enhance  his   gj  influence  of  heuenli  purueiaunce,  2900 

noblesse,  yet  ,   t     i  •  i  r  t  i  i  • 

he  was  mur-     Mars  and  lubiter  ther  rauour  did  applie 
by  Brutus        With  glade  aspectis  his  noblesse  to  enhaunce:* 
Mars  gaf  hym  knihthod,  lubiter  gou^rnaunce. 
Among  princis  hold  oon  the  moste  famous,  —      2904 
Moordred  at  Roome  bi  Brutus  Cassius. 


2896.   myschevous  H. 
2902.   tenhaunce  B,  J,  R  3. 


Cassius. 


BK.  vi]       The  Punishment  of  the  Murderers  of  Ccesar  753 


Behold  the 
monarchy  of 


Behold  of  Alisaundre  the  grete  monarchic. 

Which  al  the  world  had  vndir  obeissauwce,  Alexander,  the 

T«                           c  T^                       11'  1         •    7                   •  chivalry  of 

Prowesse  of  Ector  medhd  wzt^  gentne,  2908  Hector,  Achuies' 

Of  Achilles  malencolik  vengaunce,  —  the  end  of 

Rekne  of  echon  the  quaueryng  assuraunce,  Conskier  of 

Among  remembring  the  fyn  of  lulius,  uembiLV''^ 

Moordred  at  Roome  bi  Brutus  Cassius.  2912  security! 

Princis  considreth,  in  marcial  policie  kTrtmst^b 

Is  nouther  trust[e],  feith  nor  assuraunce:  Sfmaychlnge 

Al  stant  in  chaung  with  twynclywg  of  an  eye.  '"the  twinkling 

Vp  toward  heuene  set  your  attendaunce,  2916  record  on' 

TL                IJ                        CI             Ur       1  Juhus,  whowas 

Ihe  world  vnseur  &  al  worldli  plesaunce;  murdered  at 

Lordship  abit  nat,  record  on  lulius  Bmus  Cassius. 
Moordred  at  Roome  bi  Brutus  Cassius. 


plow  Octavian  /  succeded  next  and  how  the 
mordres  of  lulius  /  deied  at  mischefif.]  ^ 

AFFTIR  the  moordre  of  t)is  mawli  man,  2920  aiath,^'"' 

This  noble  prince,  this  famous*  emperowr,  "avian^  ^'^' 

His  worthi  nevew  callid  Octouyan  succeeded  to 

_,  .  -;  the  empire, 

1  o  regne  m  Roome  was  next  his  successoMr.  and  his  en- 

Which  dide  his  deueer  bi  dilligent  labour  2924  to  punish  aii 

T"  L  11   ^L  C         ^  U  U^  those  who  had 

lo  puwshe  all  tho,  or  nature  as  he  ouhte,  been  guilty  of 

Bi  rihtful  doom,  that  the  moordre  wrouhte.  ^^^  '"""^"• 

CheefF  conspiratoMr  was  Brutus  Cassius,  wif  chie^^fn-* 

Which  of  this  moordre  made  [all  the  ordynaunce.  2928  spirator,  Dedus 

■-,     ■■  -'  ^        another,  slain 

Anothir  Brut,  surnamyd  Decius,  afterwards  in 

Was  oon  also  conspiryng  the  vengaunce  Murder  always 

Wrouht  on  Cesar;  he  aftir  slayn  in  Frauwce.        2931  eviTend!  ^^ 
Heer  men  may  seen,  what  coostis  that  men  weende. 
How  moordre  alwey  requereth  an  euel  eende. 

Withyne  the  space  almost  of  thre  yeer  [p.  333]  ^ar''s'°aii\he 

Destroied  wern  al  the  conspiratours  conspirators 

^  ,  were  either 

Be  sodeyn  deth;   &  sumwe  stood  in  daungeer       2936  destroyed  or 

To  be  banshed  or  exiled  as  treto^rs. 

And  as  it  is  cronicled  bi  auctOMrs, 

Space  of  thre  yeer,  reknid  oon  bi  oon, 

Deide  at  myscheefF  the  moorderis  euerichon.         2940 

2921.  famous]  manli  B. 

2922.  Octauian  P.       2926.   the]  he  H. 
2937.   banyssh  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  136  recto. 


754  ^^^  Story  of  Marcus  Tullius  Cicero  [j&k..  vi 

lin'Vto^murderTo  moordrc  a  prince,  it  is  a  pitous  tliyng. 

"vi[ru"e  ^°^  ^"^'  o^  'lis  "'i'^  ^^'^  ^'-^^^  thcrof  vengaunce; 

Vc"*""""-       Namli  an  eiiipero;/r,  so  famous  in  ech  thing, 

but  little  Which  al  the  worldlcl  haddc  in  goiicrnaunce.         2044 

security  in  high  ij     i  i-  ^     r  a-  I 

estate.  Kckiic  his  conqucst  digne  oit  remewbraujice, 

AI  peised  in  oon,  Bochas  bei[e]th  vvitnesse, 
In  hih  estat  is  litil  sekirnesse. 


[How  Tullius  was  too  tymes  exiled  and  atte  last/ 

slayn  by  Pompylyus.]  ^  j 

nixtmlde'        1\/T YN  aucto?<r  hcct  WHt  no  long  proccsse,        2948  \ 

abol/i  Tullius?     ■  O^  luliiis  deth  compleynyng  but  a  while;  ' 


mat  nis  Darren    -^  .  i-i-iTrr  -i 

style  was  inade-  Lompendiousli  his  Iiff  for  to  compile, 

scribe  the  life    Complcynyng  first,  seith  his  bareyn  stile  2952 


complaining      "Jq  write  of  Tullie  in  hast  he  gan  hym  dr^sse, 

that  his  barren     -  o  j  7 

style  was  inade 
quate  to  de- 
scribe the  life 
of  so  noble  a       t      •  ai    '       ^  ^ 

rhetorician.        IS  insutticient  to  wHtc,  as  men  may  seen, 
Of  so  notable  a  rethoricien. 

quencVhe^''*"    Lsumpc  and  lanteme  of  Romeyw  oratowrs, 
flow"s^tn''Mt^  Among  hem  callid  prince  of  elloquence,  2956 

Parnassus  and    Qn  Pemaso  he  gadred  up  the  flot^rs, 
with  laurel  by   This  rcthoricieu  most  of  excellence. 

the  nine  Muses,  -itti  ■    ■  i- 

VVnos  mentis  treuii  to  recompence, 

The  Muses  nyne,  me  thouhte,  as  I  took  heed,       2960 

A  crowne  of  laureer  set  upon  his  hed. 

Keld^and     Bochas  astoued,  gan  of  hymsilfF  conclude, 

w°iift'ie  skiih*^  H's  look  abasshed,  dul  of  his  corage, 

that  'ff°^"^^^'    Thouhte  his  termys  &  resouns  wer  to  rude,  2964 

laboured  all      That  he  lakked  kunnyng  &  langage, 

his  life  he  ,,n  ...  ,      ,,  \P  6    6    > 

could  not  Wnerebi  he  sholde  to  his  auauwtage, 

scribe'^Tuiiy's    Thouh  he  laboutcd  writyng  al  his  lyue, 

merits.  Q£  jyHj^g  ^}^g  meritis  to  descryue.  2968 

bered'^thaT^ar'  Whcrof  suppHsed,  he  kauhte  a  fantasJe, 
timef\h^Tind  Withyuwe  hymsilf  remembryng  anon  riht, 
drives  a  cloud    Thouh  it  SO  falle  sumtyme  a  cloudi  skie 

across  the  sun,    x-v         ,         .  ,        .    ,  -,      ly  i     m 

it  does  not        Be  chacid  With  wynd  affor  the  sunne  briht,  2972 

lessen  its  l;ght,    .,7.      .  ~,  •     1  i  1  •     i-i 

and  that  his  dull  lit  in  ettect  It  lasseth  nat  his  lint; 
nof'ecfip^se"      So  Bochas  dempte  that  his  dul  writyng 
of  TuUius.""'   Eclipsed  nat  of  Tullius  the  shynyng. 

2953.   sufficient  H.       2958.   excellence]  Elloquence  H. 
2960.   me]  om.  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  136  recto. 


It  comforted 
him  to  think 
that  all  manner 
of  things  can 
be  told  in 
unadorned 
language,  and 
that  colours 
shew  best  by 
contrast. 


Nevertheless  he 
said,  "I  feel 
my  hand 
tremble  when  I 
write  about 
him. 


BK.  vi^        Bochas  fears  he  may  not  do  Tully  Justice  755 

With  rud  language  a  man  may  weel  r^porte  2976 

The  laude  off  tryuwphes  &  conquestis  m^rueilous, 
Which  thyng  remembryng  gredi  gan  cowzforte 
The  herte  of  Bochas;   &  to  hymsilf  spak  thus: 
"Too  colours  seyn  that  be  contrarious,  2980 

As  whiht  and  blak;  it  may  bee  non  othir, 
Ech  in  his  kynde  sheweth  mor  for  othir. 

In  Phebus  presence  sterris  lese  her  liht; 

Cleer  at  mydday  appeereth  nat  Lucyne;  2984 

The  fame  of  Tullye  whilom  shon  so  briht, 

Prince  of  fair  speche,  fadir  of  that  doctrine, 

Whos  brihte  bemys  into  this  hour  doth  shyne: 

Sothli,"  quod  Bochas,  "of  whom  wha?z  I  endite    2988 

Myn  hand  I  feele  quakyng  whan  I  write. 

But  for  to  yiue  folk  occasioun, 

Which  in  rethorik  haue  mor*  experience 

Than  haue  I,  &  mor  inspeccioun  2992 

In  the  colours  and  crafF[t]  of  elloquence, — 

Them  texcite  to  do  ther  dilligence, 

Onto  my  writyng  whan  thei  may  attende, 

Of  compassioun  my  rudnesse  to  amende."  2996 

Vnto  hymsilfiF[e]  hauyng  this  langage, 

Bochas  to  write  gan  his  penne  dresse, 

Vndir  support  afforced  his  corage 

To  remembre  thexcellent  noblesse  3000 

Of  this  oxTitoux,  which  wztZ?  the  suetnesse 

Of  his  ditees,  abrod  as  thei  haue  shyned, 

Hath  al  this  world  most  cleerli  enlumyned. 

This  TuUius,  this  singuler  famous*  man,  3004 

First  to  remembre  of  his  natyuyte, 

Born  at  Aprinas,  a  cite  of  Tuscan, 

Of  blood  roial  descendid,  who  list  see. 

Grekissh  bookis  of  old  antiquite,  3008 

Maad  of  rethorik  and  in  ther  vulgar  songe, 

He  translatid  into  Latyn  tunge. 

In  tendre  youthe  his  contre  he  forsook 

And  fro  Tuscan  his  passage  he  gan  dresse;  3012 

Toward  Roome  the  riht[e]  weie  he  took, 

Entrywg  lie  cite,  the  renommed  noblesse 


"However, 
people  who  are 
more  skilled 
than  I  will 
have  oppor- 
tunity to 
amend  my 
rudeness  out  of 
compassion." 


After  he  had 
said  this  to 
himself  he 
began  to  write. 


TuUius  was 
born  at  Ar- 
pinum  in 
Tuscany.     He 
was  of  royal 
descent,  and 
at  first  trans- 
lated old  Greek 
books  into 
Latin. 


In  his  youth 
he  went  to 
Rome;  and 
his  fame 
spread  abroad 
like  a  sun. 


2983.    liht]  siht  H. 

2991.   mor]  non  B.       3004.    famous  singuler  B. 

3005.   of  his]  his  famous  H. 


7S6  Tullius  and  the  Conspiracy  of  Catiline  [bk.  vi 

Hid  in  his  persone  shewed  the  brihtnesse 

Of  dyuers  vertues,  tyme  whil  he  abood,  3016 

That  hk  a  sonne  his  fame  spradde  abrod. 

He  w«.  made  •  ^qx  his  vettues  made  a  citeseyn,  [p.  334] 

Citizen  lornn  j%  *  «  « 

virtue»  and       The.  coode  tepoft  of  hym  shon  so  deer, 

chosen  consul       ,  .,      °    ,        ,        i  i      i        i  r> 

in  the  time  of   Lilc  as  he  haddc  be  born  a  Komeyn,  3020 

Catiline.  -  .  ^  •    ■ 


cuizcn  lor  ni»  - 

virtues  and       T\\e  coode  Tcport  of  hym  shon  so  deer, 

chosen  consul       ,  .,      °    ,        ,        i  i      i        i  r> 

in  the  time  of   Lilc  as  he  haddc  be  born  a  Komeyn, 

Catiline.  tit  i  •  ^'       _ 

In  ther  tauour  his  name  was  so  entieer. 

Among  hem  chose  for  a  consulcer,  — 

Ageyn  the  cite,  tyme  of  his  consulat, 

Whan  Catalyne  was  with  hem  at  debat.  3024 

Catiline,  cruel    gj  ^j^g  prudcnce  of  this  TuHius 

and  lull  of  t-  i       •  i    i         i        Tf 

wrath,  was        ^^id  his  manhod,  reknid  bothe  Ireere,  — 

always  busy  to       ■  i  j   • 

injure  Rome;     Catclyna,  most  crucl  and  irous, 

Froward  of  port  &  froward  of  his  cheer^?,  3028 

Besi  euere  to  fynde  out  the  maneer^. 
How  he  myhte  be  any  tokne  or  signe 
Ageyn  the  cite  couertH  maHgne. 

and  689  years    gj^g  hundtid  ycer,  fourscore  told  &  nyne,  3032 

alter  the  toun-  r  \        r         ^        ' 

dation  of  the     Rekuid  of  Roome  fro  the  iundaciouw, 

city  he  con-  .  .     .  ,  .  i      r^         i 

spired  with       This  cruel  tiraunt,  this  proude  L-atalyne, 


alter  tne  loun-  f  i        r         1        • 

dation  of  the     Rekuid  of  Roome  fro  the  iundaciouw, 

city  he  con-  .  .     .  ,  .  ,      ^~         . 

spired  with       This  cruel  tiraunt,  this  proude  l 

others  against      -k  r      t  •    i  i   • 

its  franchises     Made  With  othir  a  coniuracioun 

and  freedoms,    ^^^^^  fraunchises  &  fredaui  of  the  toun.  3036 

First  discurid,  as  bookis  telle  can, 
In  the  parties  &  boundes  of  Tuscan. 

purposing  to     jj^g  purpos  hooly  of  this  Catalyne, 

brmg  Rome  *^  ,  r    i    r    i 

to  ruin.  Imagyned  on  rals[ej  couetise,  3040 

Was  to  brynge  Roome  vnto  ruyne. 
And  therupon  in  many  sondri  wise 
Fond  out  weies,  menys  gan  deuise. 
To  his  entent  bi  dilligent  labowr  3044 

In  the  cite  gan  gete  hym  gret  fauowr. 

Tuiiy  w-as  told  g^.  fynali  his  coniuracioun 

about  the  con-  J  r\    '       ' 

spiracy,  and  by  DisCUred  WaS  bl  OOU  QuintlUS, 

and^the  ITelp  of  Which  was  afForn[e]  fals  vnto  the  toun.  3048 

brX"/  a'nd"^^*  Tolde  al  the  caas  vnto  Tullius, 

withdrawn.        gj  ^j^^^  prudeucc  &  wcrkyng  m^rveilous, 

Bi  help  of  Antoyne,  that  was  his  felawe, 

The  coniuracioun  was  broken  &  withdrawe.  3052 

3016.  whil]  whan  H. 

3027.   Catilina  P  —  most  Irous  H. 

3036.  Ageyn]  geyn  H. 


BK.  Vl] 


The  Great  Eloquence  of  Tullius 


7S7 


BI  witt  of  Tullle  al  the  coniuratOMrs 

Espied  wern  and  brouht  onto  myschauwce, 

Ther  namys  rad  tofor  the  senatOMrs, 

Of  ther  falsheed  told  al  the  gou^rnauwce,  3056 

Manli  ordeyned  thoruh  his  purueiaunce. 

With  al  his  peeple,  as  maad  is  menciouw, 

Catilyna  departid  fro  the  touw. 

With  Antonye*  the  said[e]  Catalyne 

Beside  Pistoie  hadde  a  gret  bataile. 

Slayn  in  the  feeld;   he  myht[e]  nat  declyne, 

For  he  abood  whan  the  feeld  gan  faille. 

Poweer  of  oon  litil  may  auaile,  3064 

Namli  whan  falsheed,  of  malis  &  of  pride 

Ageyn[es]  trouthe  dar  the  bront  abide. 

Ther  was  another  callid  Lentulus 

Of  his  felawes,  that  namyd  was  Fabyne;  3068 

The  thridde  of  hem  eek  callid  Cetegus,  — 

Alle  assentid  &  sworn  to  Catallyne, 

Stranglid  in  prisoun,  at  myscheef  dide  fyne. 

Cause  Tullius  dide  execucioun,  3072 

Tullyane  was  callid  the  prisoun. 

Thus  koude  he  punshe  tretoMrs  of  the  toun, 

Outraie  ther  enmyes,  of  manhod  &  prudence; 

Callid  of  ther  cite  gouernour  &  patrouw, 

Sent  from  aboue  to  been  ther  diffence, 

Ther  champioun,  most  digne  of  reuerence. 

Chose  of  ther  goddis  ther  cite  for  to  guie 

Bi  too  prerogatyues:  knihthod  &  polycie.*  3080 

Lik  a  sunne  he  dide  hem  enlumyne 

Bi  hih  prowesse  of  knihtli  excellence; 

And  thoruh  the  world  his  bemys  dede  shyne 

Of  his  rethorik  &  his  elloquence,  3084 

In  which  he  hadde  so  gret  experience. 

Bi  circuwstaunces  that  nothyng  dede  lakke, 

He  transcendid  Polityus  &  Grakke. 

Of  oratOMrs  it  is  put  in  memorie,  3088 

This  Tullius,  thoruh  his  hih  renoun, 
Of  all  echon  the  honoz^r  &  the  glorie 
Was  youe  to  hym,  as  maad  is  mencioun: 


Through  his 
ability  all  the 
conspirators 
were  punished. 
Catiline  left 
Rome 


_-/;_  and  was  slain 
3000  i„  3  battle 

with  Antony 
near  Pistoia. 


Three  of  his 
companions 
were  strangled 
in  prison;  and 
the  prison  was 
afterwards 
called  Tullian, 
after  TuUy, 
who  had  de- 
feated the  plot. 


Thus  he  pun- 
ished traitors 
to  Rome. 
He  was  called 
2076  patron  and 
governor  of 
the  city. 


He  illumined 
the  Romans 
like  a  sun; 
and  the  beams 
of  his  rhetoric 
and  eloquence 
shone  through 
the  world. 


He  surpassed 
all  orators  and 
won  the  golden 
triumph  of  the 
House  of 
Fame. 


3060.   Antoyne  B.       3063.   faille]  falle  H.       3073.   Tullianum  P. 
3076.   ther]  Jje  H,  the  R  3.       3080.   polycie]  clergie  B,  J. 
3087.   Plotyus  H,  R  3,  Plocius  J,  Plotius  P. 


758  Tullius  compared  by  the  Greeks  to  Plato        [bk.  vi 

Surmou/itid  all;   &  in  conclusiou;/,  3092 

The  goldene  tru//iphe  of  the  Mous  of  Fame 
Thoruh  al  the  world [e]  bleuh  abrod  his  name. 

secre\»'of ''"^     He  kiicw  sccictis  of  philosophie, 

«'li'diS^m  """^  C^^m  to  Athenys*  to  scoole  for  doctryne,  3096 

Athens  where    VVhcF  hc  profited  SO  cretli  in  clercie 

he  profited  in  .     »^  i-  j     i 

•II  sciences.       In  ai  scicnccs  neucnli  and  dyuyne, 

That  he  was  callid,  as  aucto;/rs  determyne, 

Among  Romey/is,  of  verray  dieu[e]  riht,  3100 

Of  elloquence  the  lanterne  &  the  liht. 

two  "great'''       It  is  rcmembred  among  orato;<rs,  [p.  335] 

before  the^"'"'  How  TulHus  pletcd  causcs  tweyne 

senators.  In  the  Romcyn  court  affor  the  senatoiirs,  3104 

The  cause  defendyng  be  langage  souereyne 
Of  too  accusid  geyn  hem  that  dede  pleyne 
On  ther  defautis,  them  sauyng  fro  myscheef, 
The  court  escapyng  fro  daunger  &  repreefF.  3108 

lccu"sed!"a°nd     Thes  causes  tweyne  he  pleted  in  Latyn, 
spoke  such        With  so  excellent  flouryng  fair  langage, 

beautiful  Latin  ■  ,      ,      ,  i        r 

and  dealt  so      With  suich  rcsouns  conciudcd  at  the  ryn, 

wisely  with  his    —,,  ,        ,  .     ,  ,  ,  , 

material  that      1  hat  he  be  wisdaw  kauhte  the  auauwtage  3112 

no  man  could      t       i   •  ^  •    ;       i   ^i  i 

deny  what        In  his  matccrcs  -with  ai  the  surplusage 


he  said. 


That  myhte  auaile  onto  his  partie: 
What  he  saide  ther  koude  no  man  denie. 


In  Greece  his    Among  Grckis  [at]  Athenys  the  cite  31 16 

reputation  and  &  l       j  j  -j 

authority  were   He  was  SO  grct  of  reputaciou7i, 

so  great  that  P  ^  T   1 

he  was  com-      l:>o  tamous  hoidc  ot  aucton[tJe, 

pared  to  Plato,  <-!-'      i  •  i    i   •      i 

upon  whose       1  o  be  compatid  bi  ther  oppynyoun 

iaid°honey,  a"  To  the  phiHsophre  that  callid  was  Platouw,  3120 

would-be  the     To  whos  cradcl  bees  dede  abraide 

source  and  well  ^nd  hony  soote  thei  on  his  lippes  laide. 

01  rhetoric.  •'  '^  '^ 

Yet  Tully  was  -i  r    n     i-i  i         i  •  ii 

his  equal.  A  pronostik[eJ,  Ilk  as  bookis  tell, 

Plato  sholde  bi  famous  excellence,  3124 

Of  rethorik  be  verray  sours  &  well. 

For  his  langage,  merour  off  elloquence. 

Yit  the  Grekis  recorden  in  sentence, 

How  Tullius  in  parti  and  in  all  3128 

Was  onto  Plato  in  rethorik  egall. 


3096.   to  Athenys^  Tathenys  B,  H  5. 

3107.   themjom.  H.       3109.   Thes] The  H.      3 116.   at]om.H. 


BK.  vi]  Tullius'  oratorical  Skill  and  Writings 


759 


Thoruh  his  langage  this  saide  TuIHus 
Reconsilede  hi  his  soote  orisouws 
To  the  lordshipe  &  grace  of  luHus, 
Princes,  kynges  of  dyuers  regiouns, 
That  suspect  stood  hi  accusaciouns, 
Because  thei  dide  luHus  disobeie, 
Wer  enclyned  with  Romeyns  to  Pompeie. 

He  coude  appese  bi  his  prudent  langage 

Folkis  that  stoode  at  discencioun; 

Bi  crafFt  he  hadde  a  special  auauwtage, 

Fauour  synguleer  in  pronunciacioun, 

In  his  demenyng  gret  prudence  &  resoun: 

For  the  pronouncyng  of  maters  in  substaunce, 

His  thank  resceyueth  bi  cheer  &  contenaunce. 


Through  his 
orations  he 
reconciled  the 
princes  and 
3132  kings  of  many- 
regions  to  the 
lordship  of 
Julius. 


3136 


He  could 
soften  people 
who  were  at 
enmity  with 
one  another, 


3140 


To  a  glad  mateer  longeth  a  glad  cheer, 

Men  trete  of  wisdam  with  woordes  of  sadnesse, 

Pleyntes  requeere,  aftir  the  mateer, 

Greuous  or  mortal,  a  cheer  of  heuynesse, 

Lik  as  the  cause  outher  the  processe  3148 

Yiueth  occasioun  to  hyndren  or  to  speede,  — 

The  doctryne  in  Tullius  men  may  reede. 


and  knew  well 
3144  how  to  adapt 
his  expression 
to  the  matter 
of  which  he 
treated. 


The  name  of  Tulie  was  kouth  in  many  place; 

His  elloquence  in  eueri  lond  was  ryfF;  3152 

His  langage  made  hyw  stonde  in  grace 

And  be  preferrid  duryng  al  his  lyff. 

Maried  he  was,  and  hadde  a  riht  fair  wifF, 

Childre  manye,  seruauntis  yonge  &  old;  3156 

And,  as  I  fynde,  he  heeld  a  good  houshold. 

De  Officijs  he  wrot  bookis  thre, 

De  Amicitia,  I  fywde  how  he  wrot  oon, 

Of  Age  another,  notable  for  to  see;  3160 

Of  moral  vertu  thei  tretede  eumchon. 

[And]  as  Vincent  wrot  ful  yore  agon 

In  his  Merour  callid  Historiall, 

Nouwbre  of  his  bookis  be  ther  remembrid  all.      3164 


His  reputa- 
tion was 
known  in  every 
land. 

He  had  a  wife, 
who  was  right 
fair,  and  many 
children  and 
servants. 


He  wrote  three 
books  de  Officiir, 
Caio  Major 
(Vincent 
described 
all  his  writings 
in  his  Spicu- 
lum   Historiall), 


3150.  in]  of  H. 

3151.  Tullyus  H. 
3154.   be]  he  H. 


76o  The  Dream  of  Tullius  [bk.  vi 

the  Dreim  of      pjg  ^^.^^^^  ^jgQ  ^.j^e  OlCni  of  ScipioUW, 
Scipio,  two  -1      1    1  I   • 

books  of  Qf  Rcthoriqucs  compilod  bookis  tweyne, 

divination,  on  *  ,  ^    . 

•Kricuiture.        Aiiu  twcyiic  lie  wiot  ot  dyuyiiaciouu; 
Fite '''      Of  tllthe  of  lond  to  write  he  dede  his  peyne,  3168 

rti'o'n.'rnd'  °^  A  large  book  of  glorie  that  is  veyne, 
"S'""""'       De  Re  pubHca;  &  as  he  seith  hymselue, 
Of  his  Orisou;!S  he  wrot  bookis  tuelue. 

But  in  spite  of  /^,^j  of  j^jg  dictes  that  calHd  be  morall  3172 

all,  he  was  i  i-    •         i         i 

banished  from    Jg  remcmbred  notabh  in  deede 
In  the  said  Merour  Histoiiall. 
And  yit  this  saide  TulHus,  as  1  reede, 
Mid  his  worshepes  stood  alvvey  in  dreede  3176 

Of  Fortune;  for  in  conclusiouw, 
He  be  envie  was  ban[y]shed  Roome  touw. 

to  Campania;     gevng  in  exil,  this  famous  Tullius, 

and  there,  at  •'     o  '  .  . 

the  house  of  a    In  Campanya  at  Atyne  the  Cite  3180 

Resceyued  he  was  ot  oon  rlancius, 
A  man  that  tyme  of  gret  auctorite. 
And  whil  that  he  abood  in  that  contre, 
Slepyng  aniht,  the  book  makl)  mencioun,  3184 

How  that  he  hadde  a  wonder  visioun. 

he  had  a  j^g  thouhte  thus,  as  he  lay  slepyng:  [p.  336] 

wonderiul  '  •!  j* 

dream  of  how    j^  a  desert  and  a  gret  wildirnesse 

he  met  Oaius       _,         ,  i       i  o     r  oo 

Marius  in  a       Fyndyng  no  path,  but  to  &  iro  etryng,  31^0 

desert.     Marius  .  ^  i  i      i    •  ^      *    L 

inquired  the      How  he  mette,  clad  in  gret  nchesse, 
troubie,^^nd  on  Gaius  Marrius,  a  prince  of  hih*  noblesse, 
learning  what    ^y^g  TulH  with  sad  contenauwcc,  _ 

What  was  cheef  ground  &  cause  of  his  gr^uaunce.  3192 

assigned  Whan  Tullius  hadde  hyw  the  cause  told 

a  sergeant  to  i   •  l 

convey  him  in   Qf  his  disese  &  his  mortal  wo, 
his  sepulture,     Matrius  with  his  hand  set  on  \\ym  hold, 
Sd  "  '"'     To  a  sergau7it  assigned  hym  riht  tho,  3196 

oftirreS'to  And  in  al  haste  bad  he  sholde  go, 
Rome.  Jq  couveic  hym  doon  his  besi  cure 

In  al  haste  possible  to  his  sepulture, 

3 171.  Orisouns]  Oracions  P.  •       t>       u 

3172.  dictes]  ditees  H,  dictes  H,  dities  P,  dues  R  3,  H  S- 

3175.  this]  ^e  H. 

3176.  worshipp  H.       3180.   Ative  H. 

3 181.   Plantius  P.  r^       ^  t. 

3190.   hih]  gret  B,  J,  H  5,  R  3,  great  P  —  Cayus  P. 
3198.   doon  his  besi]  doun  hi  his  H. 


BK. 


VI] 


Tullius  exiled  by  Antony 


761 


Wher  he  sholde  haue  tidyngis  of  plesauwce  3200 

Of  his  repeir  into  Roome  toun, 

Been  aleggid  ofF  his  old  gr^-uauwce. 

This  was  the  eende  of  his  auiseouw. 

The  nexte  morwe,  as  maad  is  menciouw, 

Ther  was  holde,  to  Tullius  gret  auail, 

Tofor  lubiter  in  Roome  a  gret  couwsail 

Withyne  the  temple  bilt  bi  Marrius: 
The  senatours  accorded  wer  certeyn 
To  reconcile  this  prudent  Tullius, 
Out  of  his  exil  to  calle  hym  hom  ageyw. 
Aftir  resceyued  as  lord  &  souereyn 
Of  elloquence,  bassent  of  the  Senat, 
Fulli  restored  vnto  his  first  estat. 

This  thing  was  doon  whan  that  in  Roome  toun 

The  strifFwas  gr^ttest  tween  Cesar  &  Powpeie; 

And  for  Tullius  drouh  hym  to  Catouw, 

With  Pompeius  Cesar  to  werreie 

And  of  lulius  the  parti  disobeie, 

Out  of  Roome  Tullius  dide  hym  hie, 

Fledde  with  Powpeie  into  Thesalie.  3220 

Cesar  aftir  of  his  fre  mociouw, 

Whan  that  he  stood  hiest  in  his  glorie, 

Hym  reconciled  ageyw  to*  Roome  tou«, 

Vpon  Powpeie  accomplisshed  the  victorie.  3224 

But  lulius  slayn  in  the  coMsistorie 

Bi  sexti  senatours  beyng  of  assent, 

Tullius  ageyn  was  into  exil  sent. 

And  in  a  cite  callid  Faryman 
Tullius  his  exil  dide  endure; 
For  Antonyus  was  to  hym  enmy  than. 
Because  that  he,  parcas  of  auenture. 
Compiled  hadde  an  invectifF  scripture 
Ageyn  Antoyne,  rehersyng  al  the  cas 
Of  his  defautis  &  of  Cleopatras. 

Thus  of  envie  and  [of]  mortal  hatreede, 
His  deth  compassed  bi  Antonyus, 
And  aftirward  execut  in  deede 
Bi  procuryng  of  oon  Powpillius;  — 


3204 


The  next  day 
a  council  was 

,208  '^^''^  '°  Rome 
"^  in  the  temple 

built  by 
Marius,  and 
shortly  after- 
wards TuUy 
was  restored  to 
his  former 
3212  estate. 


This  was  done 
during  the 
struggle  be- 
tween Caesar 
3216  ^""^  Pompey; 
and  although 
Tullius  had 
fled  with 
Pompey  to 
Thessaly, 


Caesar  became 
reconciled  with 
him. 


3228 


After  Caesar's 
death  he  wag 
again  exiled; 
and  Antony 
hated  him  and 
compassed  his 
murder  because 
he  had  exposed 
3232  his  relations, 

with  Cleopatra. 


Finally  one 
Popilius  went 
■2226  ^°  Campania  on 
^   ■^     the  authority  of 
Antony 


3201.   into]  vn  to  H. 

3223,   to]  into  B.       2224,  25  are  transposed,  but  corrected  H. 

3232.  invectifF]  Inuentive  H,  Inuentif  J. 


762  The  Death  of  Tullius  [bk.  vi 

Cat  a  commyssloii;;,  the  storl  tcllith  thus, 

Of  fals  niahce,  &:  foorth  anon  wtiite  he  3240 

Into  Gaycte  of  Campaigne*  a  cite, 

Tullius**!-        ^"^  ^'  ^^^  vertu  of  his  cowimyssioun, 
though  he  had  XalcvHC  of  Aptoync  Ucencc  &  Hberte, 

once  uved  him  -     T*       ....  .         , 

from  the  Cheeff  rcthoricien  that  euer  was  in  the  toun,        3244 

gillows.  A  r»  II- 

Among  Komcyns  to  worshep  the  cite, 

Was  slayn.  ahis,  of  hate  and  enmyte 

Bi  Ponipilius,  roote  of  al  falsheed, — 

Prof^iyng  hymsilfF  to  smyten  of  his  hed.  3248 

rtte'wheu"  Tullius  afForn[e]  hadde  been  his  difFence 
the  rope  is        Yxo  the  galwes,  &  his  deth  eek  let, 

tied  about  his  •    ,     ,        i  .        i-  i    r        i   •  cr 

neck,  will  hive    Which  hadde  disserued  tor  his  gret  ortence 

an  evil  reward,    rr^      ,  ,  •  •  .  i   -i         •! 

lo  haue  been  hangid  upon  an  hih  gibet.  3252 

Who  saueth  a  theef  whan  the  rop  is  knet 

Aboute  his  nekke,  as  olde  clerkis  write. 

With  sum  fals  towrn  the  bribour  wil  hyw  quite. 

fhe^s"""        Loo,  heer  the  vice  of  ingratitude,  3256 

».[^''f       ,      Bexperience  brouht  fulli  to  a  preefF, 

will  always  be  ^^  .  i       i     •       i      i 

ungrateful.  W  ho  in  his  hcrte  tresoun  doth  include. 
Cast  for  good  wil  to  do  a  man  repreefF. 
What  is  the  guerdoun  for  to  saue  a  theefF?  3260 

Whan  he  is  scapid,  looke,  ye  shal  fynde 
Of  his  nature  euere  to  be  vnkynde. 

So^'^Popiiius  This  Popilius,  tretowr  most  odible, 

smote  off  TuUy'sfo  shewe  hymsilfF  fals,  cruel  and  vengable,  3264 

after  he  was     Toward  Tullie  dide  a  thyng  horrible: 

Whan  he  was  ded,  this  bribowr  most  coupable, 
Smet  of  his  riht  hand,  to  heer^  abhomynable. 
With  which[e]  bond,  he  lyuyng,  on  hyw  took       3268 
To  write  of  vertues  many  [a]  famous  book, 

and  hid  were  The  hand,  the  hcd  of  noblc  Tullius,—  [p.  337] 

afterwards  set    Which  eucti  man  ouht  of  riht  compleyne,  — 

up  on  a  stake,  .  ,  ,     ^      -^        ' 

until  the  wind   Wet  take  and  brouht[e]  bi  Popilius,  3272 

and  weather         _.  ,  i        i 

wasted  them.     Vpon  a  Stake  set  up  bothe  tweyne, 

Ther  tabide,  wher  it  dide  shyne  or  reyne. 

With  wynd  &  wedir,  til  thei  wer  deffied. 

In  tokne  al  fauour  was  to  hym  denied.  3276 

3239.   z]  om.  H. 

3241.    Gayete]  Gaire  J,  Caiatte  P  —  Compaigne  B,  J,  compay- 

gne  H  5,  Campaygne  H,  Campaynge  R  3,  Champayne  P. 
3255.   bribour]  labour  H. 
3263.   Popilius]  Pompelyne  H,  Pompilyn  R  3. 
3  270.    R  begins  again  with  this  line. 


BK.  Vl] 


On  Rhetoric  and  Oratory 


763 


^  A  chapitle  ageyn  [langelers  and]  ^  dififamers  of 
Rethorique. 

BOCHy/S  compleynywg  \n  his  studie  allone 
The  deth  of  TuUIe  and  the  woful  fall, 
Gruchchiwg  in  h^rte  made  a  pitowj  mone, 
The  folk  rebukyng  in  especial, 
Which  of  nature  be  boistous  &  rurall. 
And  hardi  been  (for  thei  no  kunwyng  haue) 
Craft  of  rethorik  to  hyndren  and  depraue. 

Clerkis  olde  dide  gretli  magnefie 

This  noble  science,  that  wer  expert  &  wis, 

Callid  it  part  of  philosophic. 

And  saide  also  in  ther  prudent  auys, 

Ther  be  thre  partes,  as  tresours  of  gret  pris. 

Compiled  in  bookis  &  of  old  prouided, 

Into  which  philosophic  is  deuyded. 

The  firste  of  hem  callid  is  morall, 

Which  directeth  a  man  to  goode  thewes; 

And  the  secouwde,  callid  naturall, 

Tellith  the  kynde  of  goode  men  &  shrewes; 

And  the  thridde,  rac[i]ownal,  weel  shewes 

What  men  shal  uoide  &  what  thing  vndirfonge, 

And  to  that  parti  rethorik  doth  longe. 

Bi  Tullius,  as  auctowrs  determyne, 

Of  his  persone  rehersyng  in  substaunce, 

Translatid  was  fro  Greek  into  Latyne 

CrafFt  of  rethorik;   and  for  the  habundaunce 

Of  elloquence  stuffed  with  plesaunce. 

All  oratours  remembrid,  hym  to-fore 

Was  ther  non  lik,  nor  aftir  hym  yit  bore. 

Bochas  also  seith  in  his  writingis 

And  preueth  weel  be  resoun  in  sentence, 

To  an  oratour  longeth  foure  thingis: 

First  naturel  wit,  practik  with  science, 

Vertuous  lyfF,  cheef  ground  of  elloquence, 

Of  port  and  maner  that  he  be  tretable; 

Thes  menys  had,  myn  auctowr  halt  hym  able. 

3280.   The]  tho  H.       3283.   and]  or  H. 

3288.   gret]  om.  H.       3290.   deuyded]  prouyded  R. 

3307.   longeth]  longe  R. 

'  Supplied  from  MS.  J.  leaf  139  recto. 


Bochas,  com- 
plaining the 
death  of  Tully, 
rebuked  those 
people  who  are 
rude  and 
32S0  tumultuous   by 
nature  and  bold 
Cfor  they  have 
no  skill  them- 
selves) to  decry 
the  art  of 
rhetoric. 

Q     In  the  old 
3204  days  scholars 
called  it  a 
branch  of 
philosophy. 


^288  There  are 

three  branches 


of  philosophy: 


moral,  natural 
and  rational, 

5202  ^"4  ^° 
"5   y     rational 

rhetoric 

belongs. 


3296 


The  art  of 
rhetoric  was 
transferred 
from  Greece  to 
3300  Ro|"e  by 

lulhus.     No 
orator  like  him 
was  ever  born. 


3304 


3308 


Bochas  says 
that  an  orator 
must  have 
natural  wit, 
broad   know- 
ledge, a  virtuous 
life  and  affa- 
bility. 


764  On  Rhetoric  and  Oratory  (^bk.  vi 

dcmonmlfe.     I"  ^'^  wHtyng  and  In  his  scriptures  3312 

that  every        Bochas  wccl  prcucth,  If  iiiut  nccdis  been, 

notable  rheton-  r-iii  r 

cian  must  have  How  that  ot  nht  tlicr  loHire  ryue  armures 

five  armours,        ^x-.  •  ■  i  i         •    • 

which  he  calls    lo  cuefi  notablc  rethoricien, 

of  "^eloquence!'"' Set  heet  in  ordre,  who  that  Hst  hem  seen,  3316 

Which  he  callith,  rehersyng  in  sentence. 
The  fyue  baneeres  longyng  to  elloquence. 

The  first  is       q^i^g  firste  off  hem  calHd  Inuenciou^, 

Invention,  _  _  _  _  ' 

Bi  which  a  man  doth  in  his  herte  fynde  3320 

A  sikir  grou7ide  fou?idid  on  resoun, 
With  circu7?2Staunces,  that  nouht  be  left  behynde, 
Fro  poynt  to  poynt  enprentid  in  his  mynde 
Touchyng  the  mateer,  the  substau?zce  &  J^e  grete,  3324 
Of  which  he  caste  notabU  tentrete. 

Vv'^f?"£       Another  armure,  in  ordre  the  secounde. 

Disposition,  .... 

which  helps  us  Of  riht  is  calUd  Disposioun, 

avoid  digres-         .  ^  i  i  i   •      r  i 

sions;  As  oi  a  mateet  whan  the  ground  is  rounde,  3328 

That  eueri  thyng  bi  iust  dyuysioun 
Be  void  of  al  foreyn  digressiouw. 
So  disposid  touchyng  tyme  &  space, 
Fro  superfluite  keepe  his  dewe  place.  3332 

Eiocu^bn  ''the   The  thHdde  armure  namyd  in  sentence 

art  of  effective  jg  EUocucioun,  with  woordcs  many  or  fewe, 

expression;  '  .   ,  .   . 

Materes  conceyued  bi  mst  cowuenyence, 
Disposid  in  ordre  couenably*  to  shewe,  —  3336 

Lik  a  keruer  that  first  doth  tymbir  hewe, 
Squier*  &  compas  cast  fetures  &  visage, 
With  keruyng  tool  makth  [up]  a  fair  Image. 

the  fourth  IS     Pronuwciacloun  is  the  fourth  armure,  3340 

rronunciation,  _  _  '  vj>^-t 

which  is  joined  Nccessarie  to  eueri  oratour, 

to  execution,  i  r 

In  such  caas  whan  crart  onto  nature 

lioyned  is  bi  dilllgent  labour 

With  execucioun,  and  that  ther  be  fauour  3344 

In  declaryng,  with  eueri  circumstaunce, 

Folwyng  the  mateer  in  cheer  &  contenaunce. 

Tratof  conforms  ^^  heuy  mateer  requereth  an  heuy  cheer;       [p.  338] 
his  mien  and     "fo  z  glad  matecr  longeth  weel  gladnesse;  3348 

gestures  to  his  .°  =  r   i  i 

matter;  Men  m  ptonouncyng  mut  rolwe  the  mateer,  — 

Old  oratours  kan  bern  herof  witnesse,  — 

3336.   couenable  B,  R  3.  3338.   Squiers  B. 

3342.   craft  is  repeated  R.  3339.   toolis  H. 

3350.   herof]  ther  ofF  R. 


BK.  Vl3 


On  Rhetoric  and  Oratory 


765 


A  furious  compleynt  vttrid  in  distresse: 
This  was  the  maner,  as  poetis  do  descryue. 
In  his  tragedies  whan  Senec  was  alyue. 

The  fifFte  armure  callid  Remembraunce, 

With  quik  memorie*  be  prouidence  to  see, 

So  auisili  to  grose  up  in  substauwce 

Hooli  his  mateeris,  that  nouht  forgetyn  be, 

Liste  foryetilnesse  dirke  nat  the  Hberte 

Of  cleer  report,  ech  thing  hadde  in  mywde, 

That  in  pronouwcyng  nothing  be  left  behynde. 

AfForn  prouided,  so  that  foryetilnesse 

Be  non  hyndrere  to  inuenciou«. 

And  in  proceedyng  no  foreyw  reklesnesse 

Trouble  nat  the  ordre  of  disposicioun. 

And  for  tacomplisshe  al  up  with  resoun. 

That  pronouncyng  be  cleer[e]  remewbrauwce 

Be  weel  fauoured  with  cheer  &  contenauwce. 


3352 


3356 


the  fifth  is 
Memory,  that 
nothing  may  be 
forgotten; 


3360 


3364 


for  forgetfulness 
should  not 
hinder  invention 
or  trouble  the 
order  of  dis- 
position. 


3368 


Thes  said[e]  thynges  be  inli  necessarie 

To  euery  prudent  notable  oratoMr, 

Nat  to  hasti  nor  ouer  long  to  tarie. 

But  to  conveie  his  processe  be  mesowr; 

In  cheer  accordyng  stant  al  the  fauoMr:  3372 

For  in  pronouwcyng,  who  lakketh  cheer  or*  face, 

Of  Tullius  scoole  stant  ferr  out  of  grace. 

^  Al  erthli  beestis  be  muet  of  nature, 
Sauf  onli  man,  which  haueth  auauwtage 
Bi  a  prerogatifF  aboue  ech  creature 
To  vttre  his  conceit  onli  be  langage. 
The  soule  be  grace  r^pressith  al  outrage, 
Namli  whan  resoun  hath  the  souereynte 
To  bridle  passiouns  of  sensualite. 

Kynde  onto  man  hath  youen  elloquence, 

A  thyng  couenable  in  especiall 

Whan  that  it  is  conveied  bi  prudence, 

To  talke  of  mateeris  that  be  natural 

And  secrees  hid  aboue  celestial,  — 

Doth  entrete  of  sunwe,  moone  &  sterris 

Thynfluent  poweer  doun  sent  of  pes  &  werris. 


These  things 
are  necessary 
to  every  able 
orator. 


All  earthly  crea- 
tures are  dumb 

oong  by  nature; 

^^'      only  man  has 
the  power  of 
speech. 


3380 


Nature  has 
given  him 
eloquence,  a 
convenient 
3384  thing  when  it 
is  prudently 
managed. 


3388 


3352.  maner^  mateer  H. 

3355.  memoire  B.       3366.   be]  wit/?  H. 

3373.  For]  &  H  — or]  &  B.       3374.   ferr]  full  H. 

3376.  haueth]  hath  H.       3386.   secretis  H. 

3388.  Thynfluence  R. 


766  On  Rhetoric  and  Oratory  [bk.  vi 

u'lfattiX-   ^^^  of  al  this  hath  praiu/ted  knowleching 

universe  and        Qpji  ^q  pi^n   1-,|  wistlaill   aild   rCSOlW/, 
express  his  ,  , 

thoughts  in       And  thoruh  hinp;age  youc  to  hym  shewyng, 

Outward  to  make  declaracioun  3392 

Of  the  heuenh  cours  &  sondri  mocioun, 
Diners  chaiuiges,  &,  pleynli  to  difFyne, 
The  reuolucioun  of  the  speeris  nyne. 

He  can  discuss  ]yj      |^j  langace  shewe  out  ther  enteritis,  3396 

the  moving  and  "*'-••   •-'  t^    (-> 

mutations  ac-    'Yht  naturall  nieeuyng  &  mutaciouns, 

cord  and  discord  ,    -       i-  i       r     i        r  i 

of  the  four       Accord  &  discord  of  the  toure  elementis, 

elements,  the       .,         ...  .  r-  c  I  '      

cominR  and       Kyndh  vatiaunce  of  toure  cowplecciouns, 
eaTthVy"fhi°!gs:  The  generacioun*  &  the  corupciouns  3400 

Of  erthh  thynges,  contrarie  ech  to  other, 
Corrupcioun  of  oon  engendryng  to  another. 

and  he  is         This  the  poweer  &  the  pr^cellence 

taught  by  r  i  •    i     •  il 

language  to       Youe  vnto  man,  which  is  resonabk,  3404 

be  steadfast  in  ■  •   •  i   i  •      11 

virtue.  That  bi  langage  and  bi  elloquence 

A  man  is  tauht  in  vertu  to  be  stable,  — 

Of  soule  eternal,  of  bodi  coruwpable, 

Tauht  wttZ?  his  tunge  whil  he  is  alyue  3408 

Of  his  defautis  how  he  shal  hym  shryue. 

Bochas  tells  us  gochas  eek  tellith,  touchyng  rethorik, 

that  there  is  .  - 

natural  rhetoric  fher  been  too  maneres".  oon  is  or  nature, 
youth,  and  the  Lemyd  in  youthe,  which  doth  oon  spek[e]  lik       3412 
?o*whilhTe'""  As  he  heereth  &  lerneth  bi  scripture;  — 
greTt  dulgence.  CrafFt  of  rethorik  youe  to  no  creature 
Sauff  to  man,  which  bi  gret  dilligence 
Be  studie  kometh  to  crafFt  of  elloquence.  3416 

abTef  pfeache'rs  CrafFt  of  langage  and  of  prudent  speche 

to  teach  the      Causcth  prechours  bi  spiritual  doctryne 

ousiy,  and  in-    VcrtuousH  the  pceplc  for  to  teche, 

the%e"pe°ct  of    How  thei  shal  lyue  bi  moral  disciplyne.  3420 

holy  church.      L^^gagg  techcth  men  to  plaunte  vyne, 

Enfourmeth  folk  to  worshepe  hooli  cherche, 

The  artificeer  treuli  for  to  werche. 
But  there  are    yit  thet  be  summe  that  pleynli  preche  and  teche,  3424 

some  who  say  '■       •' 

that  God  has     Haue  of  langage  this  oppynyouw: 

more  regard  to^^"  ir  ,r  j    ^ 

our  hearts  than  God  ha[th]  nat  most  reward  onto  specne, 

to  our  language.  ^^^  ^^  ^j^^  ^^^^^  ^  ^^  thafFeCcioUn; 

3400.   generaciouMS  B. 

3413.   &]  or  R.       3416.   to]  bi  R. 

3426.   nat]  om.  H  —  reward]  rewardid  H. 


BK.  Vl3 


On  Rhetoric  and  Oratory 


7^7 


339] 
3432 


Best  can  guerdone  the  inward  entenciouw  3428 

Of  eueri  man,  nat  after  the  visage, 

But  lik  the  menyng  of  ther  inward  corage. 

To  vttre  langage  is  gret  dyuersite  [p. 

Whan  that  men  shewe  thefFect  of  ther  menywg, 

Be  it  of  ioie  or  off  aduersite. 

Cheer  for  taccord  therwith*  in  vtt[e]ryng, 

Now  debonaire,  sumwhile  rebukyng. 

And  in  rehersyng,  lik  cheer  alwei  tapplie, 

Be  it  of  rudnesse,  be  it  of  curteisie. 

Of  discreciouw  sette  a  difference 

In  his  pronouwcyng  to  perce  or  vndirmyne, 

To  drawe  the  iuge  vnto  his  sentence 

Or  to  his  purpos  to  make  hym  to  enclyne, 

Seen  wher  he  be  malencoHk  or  benigne,  — 

Or  his  mateer  be  vttrid  or  vnclosid,* 

Considre  afForn  how  that  he  is  disposid. 

Peised  al  this  thyng,  the  rethoricien, 

With  other  thynges  which  appertene  of  riht 

To  crafft  of  speche,  he  mut  cowueye  &  seen 

Mateeris  of  substaunce  &  mateeris  that  be  liht, 

Dispose  hymsilf  tentretyn  euery  wiht 

Lik  to  purpos  &  fyn  of  his  mateere, 

As  for  the  tyme  rethorik  doth  requeere. 

As  bexauwple,  myn  auctour*  doth  record,  3452 

Men  sette  at  werre,  in  herte  ferr*  assonder, 

The  rethoricien  to  make  hem  for  taccord 

Mut  seeke  weies  &  menys  heer  &  yonder, 

Of  old  rancour  tappese  the  boistous  thonder,        3456 

Be  wise  exaumplis  &  prouerbis  p^rtynent 

Tenduce  the  parties  to  been  of  oon  assent. 

A  man  also  that  stant  in  heuynesse, 

Disespeired  and  disconsolat,  346c 

The  rethoricien  mut  doon  his  besynesse, 

The  ground  considred  &  felt  of  his  estat, 

The  cause  serchid  whi  he  stant  desolat, 

Which  to  refFourme  be  dilligent  labour  3464 

Is  the  trewe  offis  of  eueri  oratoMr. 

3434.  for  taccord  therwith]  of  accord  therof  B. 

3443.  vnclosid]  enclosid  B.       3444.   that]  om.  H. 

3445.  the]  bi  R,  J.       3446.   apperteneth  R. 

3449.  tentretyn]  tentren  H,  tentrete  J,  P. 

3452.  As]  AH  —  myn  auctour]  Rethorik  B. 

3453-  werre]  a  werre  R  —  ferr]  be  ferr  B. 


There  is  great 
variety  in  our 
means  of  ex- 
pression, de- 
pending upon 
our  feelings 


3436 


and   according 
with  our  inten- 
tions, as,  for 
example,  when 
3440  "'s  ^^y  to  win 
over  a  judge. 


3444 

Thus  the 
rhetorician 
must  prepare 
himself  to  treat 
all  manner  of 
subjects  and  in 
3448  many  different 
ways. 


He  must  bring 
warring  men  to 
concord  and 
allay  the 
thunder  of  old 
rancour, 


and  he  must 
also  aid  and 
comfort  those 
who  are  de- 
spaired and 
disconsolate. 


768                           On  Rhetoric  and  Oratory                         [^bk.  vi  ! 

!he°Iirtuou5      Of  rethoriclcns  whilom  that  wer  old  1 

rort'^lp°PM.'ii"    T^^  sugrid  langagc  &  virtuous  daliau^rce  \ 

ty?a*"'^  °f     Be  goode  exau//;ples  &  proucrbcs  that  thci  tolde, 3468  i 
Woordes  pesible  cnbelisshed  with  plesaunce, 

Appesid  of  tirau/!t<fj-  the  rigerous  vengaunce,  I 

Sette  aside  thcr  furious  sentence  j 

Bi  vertu  onli  of  prudent  elloquence.  3472 

o"her°"hanJ        ^nd  in  contraric,*  pleynli  to  conclude, 

scrf(Sr/and""  ^^"  ^^^"  alday  bi  cleer  experience  i 

*'_[«Jp|"»^ people  Folk  vnauised,  &  hasti  foolis  rude,  ! 

random.           And  braynles  peeple,  of  wilful  necligence,  3476                ' 

Because  thei  wern  bareyn  of  elloquence,  I 

Vttringe*  ther  speche  as  nakid  folk  &  bare,  i 

For  lak  of  rethorik  ther  mateer  to  declare.  ' 

I 

tgs  fo"'''''    ^  Bi  cleer  exaumple,  as  purpil,  who  takl>  heede,  3480               I 

gi"rm<:n«  fref  Longcth  to  kyngcs,  in  stori  men  may  fywde,  i 

with  precious     With  clothes  of  gold  &  riche  velwet  weede  i 

stones,  pleasant   ^                -ii-ii-                  '      ^t      ^  ' 

objects  to  the    i<  rct  With  tubics  and  othir  stonis  Ynde, 

Saphirs,  emeraudis,  perlis  of  ther  kynde,  —  3484 

As  alle  thes  thynges  aproprid  been  of  riht,  \ 

Plesaunt  obiectis  to  a  mannys  siht,  \ 

i 

^eech'^of         So  the  langage  of  rethoriciens  j 

[^VTiie^ing     ^^  ^  S^^*^  obiect  to  mannys  audience,  3488                | 

°[ad"ob^ic"''  ^  ^^"^^  song  mellodious  of  musiciens,*  | 

the  hearing.      Which  doth  gtet  counfott  to  cuety  hih  presence.  1 

Bexaumple  as*  Amphioun,  with  song  &  elloquence  j 

Bike  the  wallis  of  Thebes  the  cite,  3492                ] 

He  hadde  of  rethorik  so  gret  subtilite.  j 

5.?S  of"'"   In  his  langage  ther  was  so  gret  plesaunce, 

Stioqulnce     Fyndyng  therbi  so  inli  gret  proffit,  ; 

and  song,  for     That  al  the  contre  kam  to  his  obeissaunce,  ^406                 1 

men  were  so        _,      ,                ,                        i          i      •   i        i  i  I 

attracted  that     lo  hccre  hym  speke  thei  hadde  so  gret  debt;  i 

all  the  country   /-pi                    i                •               i       i  i               i                            •  i 

came  to  help      1  he  pcepic  envitoun  hadde  such  an  appetit  1 

'™'                In  his  persone,  in  pes  &  in  bataille:  j 

Heer  men  may  seen  what  rethorik  doth  auaille!  3500                , 


3472.  vertu  onli]  \)e  vertu  H.                                                                          1 

3473.  contraire  B.  ] 
3478.   Vttrid  B. 

3485.  As]  om.  H.  i 

3489.   Musclciens  B.  I 
3491.   as]  of  B. 


BK.  vi^       The  War  of  Sextus  Pompey  and  the  Triumvirs    769 


3508 


[How  Sextus  werreide  Trjmmvir,  and  of  the  deth  of 
grete  Antonye  and  Cleopatras.]  ^ 

FOLWYNG  the  ordre  Boch^s  of  his  book, 
With  penwe  in  hond[e],  castyng  up  his  eye, 
Tofor  hym  cam  pale  of  cheer  &  look 
A  myhti  prince,  sone  onto  Pompeye, 
CalHd  Sextus,  which  as  bookis  seye, 
Delited  hym,  with  a  gret  naue 
Lik  a  pirat  to  robben  on  the  se. 

To  his  fadir  contrarie  in  such  caas,  — 
For  eueri  pirat  of  custum  he  dede  hate, 
Vpon  the  se  whos  vsage  alwey  was 
Ageyn[es]  hem  proudli  to  debate, 
Pursued  hem  erli  and  eek  late,  — 
Wher  this  Sextus,  to  his  gret  repreeff, 
Was  of*  the  se  a  robbour  and  a  theeff. 

The  sclaundre  of  hym*  gan  to  spreede  ferre,  [p. 

Reportid  was  to  many  ferr  contre; 

With  Tryuwvir*  this  Sextus  gan  a  werre,  — 

Which  is  an  offis  and  a  dignite 

Bi  the  Romeyns  cowmyttid  onto  thre 

Notable  estatis,  chose  for*  cheualrie, 

Thempire  al  hool  to  gouerne  &  to  guie. 

The  firste  of  hem  namyd  Lepidus, 
And  the  s'ecouwde  callid  Octouyan, 
The  thridde  in  nouwbre  was  Antonyus, 
Ageyn[s]  which  thre  Sextus,  this  proude  maw, 
Of  surquedie  a  newe  werre  gan, 
Afforn  bi  lulius  for  his  rebellious 
Banisshed  for  euere  out  of  Roome  toun. 

Triumvir  of  politik  gouernauwce, 

Weel  auised  afForn  in  ther  resouws, 

Tretyng  for  pes  bi  notable  purueyauwce 

With  proude  Sextus  vndir  condiciouws 

Write  &  enact  in  ther  conuenciouns,  — 

But  anon  afFtir,  list  no  while  tarie. 

He  to  his  promys  was  froward  &  cowtrarie. 


Bochas,  looking 
up,  saw  before 
him  a  mighty 
prince,  Sextus, 
son  of  Pompey, 
who  robbed  on 
3504  the  sea  like  a 
pirate. 


He  was  very 
different  from 
his  father,  who 
hated  pirates; 


3SI2 


^  . -.I  and  his  ill 
j4^J  fame  was 
3516  widespread. 
■^•^        He  began  a 
war  with  the 
Triumvirate, 


3520 


Lepidus,  Octa- 
vian  and  Mark 
Antony. 

3524 


3S2S 

The  Triumvirs 
first  made 
peace  with   him 
under  condi- 
tions, but 
Sextus  was 
3532  perverse 


3514- 
3517 

3521- 
3525. 


of]  on  B.  3515-   hym]  hem  B. 

Tryumvir]  tryuKiphir  B  —  this]wU^H.     3520.    for]  of  B. 
2nd  to]  om.  H.       3523.   Octauian  P  {throughout). 
this]  the  R.       3527.    bi]  om.  H.       3535.   his]  om.  R. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  139  recto. 


770 


The  End  of  Sextus  Pompey 


[bk.  VI 


and  broke  liis 
agreement. 
Bochas,  dis- 
gusted  with  liis 
lack  of  virtue, 
did   not  care 
to  magnify  his 
name  by  writ- 
ing about  him. 


He  associated 
with  fugitives 
and   men  of 
evil  life,  and 
made  one 
Moena  captain 
of  40  of  his 
(hips. 


This  churl 
allied  himself 
with  Octavian 
and  came 
down  against 
his  lord; 


but  as  soon  as 
the  battle 
began,  Oclavius' 
ships  were 
sunk  by  a 
storm,  and 
Sextus  fled  in 
disaster. 


He  then  went 
to  Greece  to 
fight  Antony, 
but  was  taken 
and  slain. 


One  of  the 

Triumvirs  was 
Lepidus,  who 
reconciled 
Antony  with 
Octavian; 


For  Ills  convict  outraious  falsnesse,  3536 

And  on  the  se  for  his  robbcrye, 

Bochas  of  hyni  writ  no  long  processe, 

Haiiyng  disdcyn  his  name  to  magnefie; 

For  he  to  vertu  list  nothi;;g  applie,  —  3540 

The  difference  cause  which  [is]  in  thestat 

Atwixe  knihthod  &  liff  of  a  pirat. 

With  fugityues,  theuys  and  robbowrs 

And  men  exiled  out  of  Roome  toun,  3544 

Banisshed  peeple,  fals  conspiratojits, 

With  othir  convict  of  moordre  &  tresoun,  — 

He  took  al  such  vndir  proteccioun; 

And  oon  Moena,  a  cherl  of  his  certeyn,  3548 

Of  fourti  shippes  he  made  hyw  a  capteyn. 

The  said[e]  cherl  vnwarli  tho  began 

Folwe  the  nature  of  his  condicioun, 

Allied  hymsilff[e]  with  Octauyan  3552 

Ageyn  his  lord[e],  bi  ful  fals  tresoun; 

Wit/?  al  his  naue  and  shippes  he  cam  douw, 

Spared  nat  to  meete  of  verray  pride 

With  Menecrates,  that  was  on  Sextus  side.  3556 

But  also  soone  as  the  bataile  gan 

And  the  parties  togidre  sholde  gon, 

AUe  the  vessellis  of  Octauyan 

With  sodeyn  tempest  wer  drownid  eumchon        3560 

Beside  a  castell  bilt  of  lym  &  ston 

Callid  Nauletum,  wher  yit  to  gret  repreeff 

Sextus  fledde  &  was  brouht  to  myscheeff. 

Wente  into  Grece  to  make  hym  stronge  ageyn      3564 

To  holde  a  bataile  with  Antonyus, 

Take  in  his  komyng  bi  strengthe  of  a  capteyn 

Longyng  to  Antoyne,  callid  Furnyus, 

Whilom  neuew  to  Cesar  lulius:  3568 

And  or  duk  Sextus  myhte  itv^er  weende, 

He  slay[e]n  was  &  made  ther  an  eende. 

Of  Tryumvir  in  thempire,  as  I  tolde, 

Ther  was  a  capteyn  callid  Lepidus,  3572 

Which  bi  his  offis  lik  as  he  was  holde, 

Riht  besi  was,  the  book  rehersith  thus, 

3546.   &]&ofR,J.       3549.   a]owz.H,  P.      3553.  bi]wu/?RJ. 
3556.   Menecratus  P  —  on  Sextus  side]  an  homy  side  H. 
3562.   repreeff]  preeff  R.       3563.   was  brouht]  brouht  was  H. 
3568.   Cesar]  om.  R.       3570.   an]  his  R,  P,  H  5. 


BK.  vi]         Division  in  Rome  after  Ccesars  Death 


771 


To  reconcile  the  proude  Antonyus 

To  the  grace  of  gret  Octouyan,  3576 

Ech  thyng  forgete  wherof  the  werr^  gaw. 

And  to  conclude  shortli,  who  list  see, 

Fortune  a  while  was  to  hym  gracious, 

Thempire  al  hool  gou^rnid  bi  thes  thre:  3580 

Lordship  of  Affrik  hadde  Lepidus, 

Bi  which  he  wex  proud  &  contrarious, 

To  hym  assigned  vndir  commissiouns 

FuUi  the  nouwbre  of  tuenti  legiouns.  3584 

Wherof  in  herte  he  kauhte  such  a  pride, 

Causyng  be  processe  his  destrucciouw. 

Surquedie  a  while  was  his  guide, 

From  his  estat  til  he  was  falle  douw;  3588 

Namli  whaw  he,  of  fals  presuwpcioun, 

Took  upon  hym  of  malis  to  werreye 

The  said  Octouyan,  &  gan  hym  disobeie. 

Whan  Octouyan  his  malis  dide  see. 
That  he  gan  wexe  sodenli  cowtrarie, 
He  threw  hym  doun  from  his  dignite. 
Cast  hym  in  exil,  list  no  lenger  tarie. 
Loo,  how  Fortune  sodeynli  caw  varie, 
To  maken  hym  that  hadde  gou^rnauwce 
OfF  al  Affrik  to  comen  to  myschaunce! 

Another  prince,  Cesar  Lucyus,  [p. 

Exiled  was  fro  Roome  the  cite 

Bi  his  vncle,  the  saide  Antonyus, 

Of  wilfulnesse  &  hasti  cruelte; 

For  in  that  tyme,  as  men  may  reede  &  see, 

Contreued  causes  wer  founde  up*  of  malis 

Texile  princis  notable  holde  &  wis. 

Sumwe  because  thei  heeld[e]  with  Cesar, 
Other  for  Pompeie  that  heeld  on  that  partie, 
Sumwe  for  ther  good,  afforn  or  thei  wer  war,        3608 
Sumwe  for  suspecioun,  summe  for  envie, 
Sumwe  for  thei  koude  nat  flatre  nouther  lie, 
Sumwe  for  vertues,  which  was  gret[e]  routhe, 
Because  thei  wern  so  stable  in  ther  trouthe.  3612 


and  for  a  time 
the  three 
governed  the 
empire  in  peace. 


Finally  Lepidus, 
who  was  lord 
of  Africa, 
maliciously 
disobeyed 
Octavian, 


-J,       who  exiled 
^59-*  him.     Lo,  how 

Fortune  can 

vary! 


3596 


.J  J  t]  Another  prince, 
JT    J  Caesar  Lucius, 
^600  "'^^  exiled  from 
"  Rome  by  his 

uncle  Antony 
out  of  wil- 
fulness. 
Many  notable 
princes  were 
then  exiled  on 
contrived 


3604 


some  for  siding 
with  Caesar  or 
Pompey,  others 
for  their 
wealth  or  out 
of  hatred,  or 
because  they 
were  honest 
and  could  not 
flatter  and  lie. 


3576.   gret]  om.  R.       3579.   gracious]  contraryvs  H. 
3600.   from  R.       3603.   For  in]  fro  H.       3604.   up]  out  B. 
3610.   nouther]  nor  H,  J, 


772 


Antony  and  Cleopatra 


[bk.  VI 


so  in  his 
Lfgendf  of 
Cupide. 


It  were  pre- 
sumption for 
me  to  write 
again  a  thing 
once  said  by 
Chaucer. 


w«  e'iledtr      ^^  t^lis  tfOublc  drccdful  &  odioUS, 

t'ht'dcath'o'f      ^^  '^  rehersid  in  ordre  ye  may  reede, 
Antony  and      The  noblc  kiiilit,  Paulus  Lucyus, 

Qeopatra.  t-     Tj  r  r      e     L  J 

hxilid  was  o\  mails  &  hatrecdc,  3616 

Folw  yng  upon  the  grete  horrible  deede, 
The  pitous  deth  &:  the  hatful  caas 
Of  gret  Antonye  and  Cleopatras. 

!vrUc"th"?r        The  tragedie  of  these  ilke  tweyne  3620 

Chaucer  ^fas""*  ^^^  "^^   ^^  "'^^  ^^^^   ^^  ^^^  aside, 

already  done     Cause  Chauceer,  cheef  poete  of  Breteyne, 
Seyng  ther  hertis  koude  nat  deuyde, 
In  his  book,  the  Legende  of  Cupide,  3624 

Remembryng  ther,  as  oon  thei  dide  endure, 
So  wer  thei  buryed  in  oon  sepulture. 

Thyng  onys  said  be  labour  of  Chauceer 

Wer  presuwzpcioun  me  to  make*  ageyn,  3628 

Whos  makyng  was  so  notable  &  enteer, 

Riht  cowzpendious  and  notable  in  certeyw. 

Which  to  reherse  the  labour  wer  but  veyn,* 

Bochas  remembryng  how  Cleopatras  3632 

Caused  Antonye*  that  he  destroied  was. 

cfeo^pafra"  "^''  Hir  auarice  was  so  importable, 

tor^destruc-  ^^  supptised  with  hir  gret  fairnesse, 

tion.   He  fell     Folwyng  ther  lustis  foul  &  abhowinable,  ^6^6 

in  love  with         n        j       • 

her,  and  as  she  bhc  dcsiryug  to  haue  be  emperesse; 
And  he,  alas,  of  froward  wilfulnesse, 
To  plesen  hire,  vnhappily  began 
To  werreye  the  grete  Octouyan.  3640 

Froward  ambicioun  sette  his  herte  affire 

To  clymben  up  to  the  imperial  see, 

To  haue  pocessioun  of  the  hool  empire, 

Took  upon  hym,  yifF  it  wolde  haue  be,  3644 

To  regne  allone  in  Roome  the  cite, 

Cleopatras  to  fostren  in  hir  pride, 

Title  of  Octauyan  for  to  sette  aside. 

im\lT!ll  With  multitude  of  many  legiouns,         ,  3648 

As  I  haue  told,  ageyn  Octauyan, 
To  hym  acrochid  of  dyuers  regiouns 
Gret  multitude  of  many  mawli  man; 

3613.  dreedful]  hatful  R. 

3628.  make]  take  B,  H. 

3631.  Which]  wher  H  —  veyn]  in  veyn  B,  R,  J. 

3633.  Antoine  B. 


desired  to  be 
empress,  he 
made  war  on 
Octavian. 


Froward  ambi- 
tion made  him 
wish  to  reign 
alone  in  Rome. 


was  put 
to  flight. 
Despairing, 
he  went  home, 


BK.  Vl] 


The  End  of  Antony  and  Cleopatra 


m 


First  on  the  se  to  werreye  he  began, 
Wher  he  was  first,  maugre  al  his  miht, 
To  his  confusioun  vnwarU  put  to  fliht. 

Disespeired,  fledde  horn  to  his  contre, 
Knowyng  no*  helpe  nor  mene  to  recure, 
But  to  encres  of  his  aduersite, 
Wha«  that  he  sauh  this  woful  auenture, 
Geyn  Octouyan  he  myhte  nat  endure, 
With  a  sharp  suerd  his  dauwgeer  to  dyuerte 
HymsilfF  he  rooff  vnwarli  to  the  herte. 

Of  whos  deth  the  queen  Cleopatras 
Took  a  sorwe  verray  importable; 
Because  ther  was  no  recure  in  the  caas, 
Thouhte  of  his  wo  she  wolde  be  partable, 
Whos  fatal  eende  pitous  &  lamentable?: 
Slouh  eek  hirsilf[e],  loue  so  did  hir  raue; 
Afftir  thei  bothe  buryed  in  o  graue. 

3655.   Disepeired  R.       3656.   no]  non  B. 
3657.  encres3  thencres  H. 

f  Finis  Ubri  Sexti. 
^  Incipit  liber  septimus. 


3652 


and,  knowing 
no  help,  pierced 
■?6?6  himself  to  the 
"^   ^      heart  with  a 
sword, 


3660 


3664 


whereupon 
Cleopatra  slew 
herself  for  sor- 
row, and  after- 
wards both 
were  buried  in 
one  grave. 


3668 


BOOK  VII 


[Off  Antonye  son  and  heire  to  grete  Antonye,  and  of 
Cesarius,  lulia,  Agrippa,  Cassius,  and  Galbus.]  ^ 


343] 


THIS  stori  eendid,  last  of  t)e  sixte  book,  [p. 
Boch^j  weri,  thouhte  for  the  beste, 
Of  gret  trauaile  oppr^ssid  iw  his  look, 
Fill  in  a  slombre  lenyng  on  a  cheste, 
Fulli  in  purpos  to  haue*  take  his  reste. 
But  euene  as  he  sholde  his  reste  haue  take, 
Cam  a  gret  pres  &  made  hyw  to  a-wake. 

^  First  of  that  felashipe  cam  the  sone  &  heir 

Of  Antonye,  with  blood  spreynt  al  his  weede, 

Callid  eek  Antonye,*  falle  in  gret  dispeir 

Cause  Octoyuan  bar  to  hym  hatreede, 

Whos  suerde  he  fledde,  quakyng  in  his  dreede,         12 

To  an  old  temple  socour  for  to  haue, 

Trustyng  fro  deth  the*  place  sholde  hym  saue. 

In  that  temple  Cesar  was  deified. 
Of  whom  be  Romeyns  set  up  a  gret  image; 
But  whan  he  sauh  [that]  he  was  espied, 
He  ran  to  lulius  hih  upon  the  stage, 
Gan  hym  tenbrace  in  his  pitous  rage,  — 
He,  rent  awey  be  sodeyn  violence, 
Vnwarli  slayn;   ther  geyned  no  difFence. 

^  Next  in  ordre  cam  Cesarius, 

Of  whom  ther  fill  a  wonder  pitous  caas, 

Whilom  begete  of  Cesar  lulius  24 

Vpon  the  yonge  faire  Cleopatras, 

Slayn  in  his  youthe,  thus  writeth  Bochas, 

As  Octouyan  dide  hymsilfF  assigne. 

For  he  geyn  Romeyns  sholde  nat  maligne.  28 

I.   vjteB.       4.   in]onH  — a]hisR,  P. 

5.   to  hauej  taue  B  —  to  haue  take  his]  for  to  take  a  H. 

7.   &]  om.  H.       8.    Phelishipp^  R. 

10.  Antonye]  Antoyne  B  —  disespeir  R.       11.   to]  vn  to  H. 

14.   the]  that  B.       23.    pitous]  om.  H. 

28.   geyn  Romeyns  sholde]  ageyn  Romayns  did  H. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  140  recto. 

775 


This  story,  the 
last  of  the 
sixth  book, 
ended,  Bochas 
leaned  on  a 
chest  and  fell 
asleep.     But 
just  as  he 
began  to  take 
his  rest,  a 
great  number 
of  people  ap- 
peared to  him, 

of  whom  An- 
tony, son  of 
great  Antony, 
was  the  first. 
Octavian  had 
caused  him 
to  be  slain  in 
the  temple 


where  Cassar 
was  deified,  as 
j<  he  embraced 
Caesar's  image. 


20 


Next  came 
Csesarius,  son 
of  Julius  Csesar 
and  Cleopatra. 
He  too  was 
slain  in  his 
youth  by  Oc- 
tavian. 


776 


The  Severity  of  Oct  avian 


[bk.  VII 


^  FoKvyng  in  ordre,  lulia  began 

Hir  greuous  co/«pleynt  to  Bochas  specefie, 

Whilom  douhtir  to  grete  Octouyan, 

With  wecpyng  eyen  ga;?  to  houle  &  crie, 

W  liich  bi  hir  fadir  to  pu;;she  hir  Iccherie 

Exihd  was  out  of  hir  contre, 

For  lak  of  socour  deide  in  pouerte. 

^  Hir  sone  Agrippa,  yong  &  tendre  of  age, 
Born  off  hih  bIood[e],  Bochas  doth  expresse, 
Cam  next  in  ordre,  pale  of  his  visage, 
Which  spent  his  tyme  in  slombre  &  idilnesse, 
Froward  to  vertu;   &  for  his  wrechidnesse 
Octovyan,  which  was  gret[e]  routhe, 
SufFrid  hym  deie  at  myscheefF  for  his  slouthe, 

im"  cfsTs'    ^  Afftir  Agrippa  cam  forth  anon  riht 
marr/knight,  a  Cassius  of  Patmc,  a  famous  gret  contre, 
poet  and  friend  Which  in  Itaillc  was  holde  a  manli  knyht, 

of  Mark  itv/t  a  *  ii-ii 

Antony.  With  Marc  Antonye*  weel  cherisshed  &  secre, 

Bood  in  his  court,  &  therwithal  parde 
Gretli  allowed,  first  for  his  cheualrie, 
And  for  his  notable  famous  poisye. 


Julia,  Ocia- 
vian's  daughter, 
began,  hcmling 
and  crying,  to 
tell  Bochas  her 
grievous  com- 
plaint; for  she 
was  exiled  by 
her  father  in 
punishment  of 
her  lechery, 
and  she  died 
in  poverty. 

Her  son 

Agrippa,  who 
spent  his  time 
in  slumber  and 
idleness,  was 
allowed  to  die 
in  mischief  by 
Octavian. 


32 


36 


40 


44 


48 


He 

to 


o«Ivian"fof  And  therwithal  he  hadde  in  existence 
tolhldeart  A  riht  gret  name  &  stood  in  gret  fauowr 
Caesar,  por  his  Icnihthod  &  for  his  hih  prudence. 

AfFtir  accusid  vnto  the  emperowr 

Octouyan  for  a  coniuratowr. 

He  sholde  haue  bee  of  froward  fals  entent 

To  lulius  deth  fuUi  of*  assent. 


S2 


S6 


for  which  Oc- 
tavian had 
him  taken  and 
offered  up  in 
sacrifice  to 
Julius'  image. 


For  which  be  biddyng  of  Octouyan 
Take  he  was,  beyng  but  yong  of  age; 
And  as  myn  auctour  weel  remembre*  can, 
Brouht  tofor  lulius  hih  upon  a  stage, 
Ther  ofFrid  up  onto  his  ymage 
Be  cruel  deth,  the  stori  tellith  thus, 
For  the  fals  moordre  of  Cesar  lulius. 


60 


32.  eyen]  om.  R,  J. 

33.  hir]  his  H. 
44.  Parma  P. 
46.  Antoyne  B. 

59,  remembre]  reherse  B. 


BK. 


VIl] 


The  Story  of  King  Herod 


777 


^  Aftir  the  deth  of  saide  Cassius, 

Another  cam  of  Roome  the  cite, 

Which,  as  I  reede,  calHd  was  Galbus, 

Of  a  pretour  hauyng  the  dignite; 

And  for  suspeciouw  slay[e]n  eek  was  he, 

His  eyen  first  out  of  his  hed  wer  rent, 

For  luHus  deth  than  into  exil  sent. 

Toward  his  exil  hi  brigaunt^j"  he  was  slayn. 

And  aftir  that,  withyne  a  Htil  while, 

Of  his  labour  nouther  glad  nor  fayn, 

Bochas  began  to  direct  his  stile 

To  gret  Herodes,  breeffli  to  compile 

His  greuous  fall  &  hooli  the  maneer^ 

To  sette  in  ordre  heer  next,  as  ye  shal  heer^. 


64 


68 


[How  the  tiraunt  herodes  slouh  wiff  and  children 
and  deied  atte  mischefif.]  ^ 

REMEMBRYNG  first  in  lurie  he  was  kywg, 
Antipater  his  fadir,  who  list  see. 
In  Arabia  myhtili  regnyng  80 

Ouir  the  prouynce  callid  Ydumee. 
This  same  Herodes,  gard[e]yn  of  Gallile, 
Ordeyned  was,  [first]  for  his  hih  prudence, 
And  for  his  notable  knihtli  excellence.  84 

Famous  in  mawhod,  famous  of*  his  lyne,        [p.  344] 
Famous  also  bi  p'rocreacioun, 
I  reede  also  he  hadde  wyues  nyne; 
And  among  alle,  as  maad  is  menciouw,  88 

To  his  plesauMce  and  his  oppynyouw, 
Maister  of  stories  reherseth  ther  was  oon 
Mariannes,  fairest  of  euerichon. 

Bi  whom  she  hadde  worthi  sones  tweyne,  92 

Alisauwdre  and  Aristobolus. 

But  for  his  sustir*  dide  at  hir  disdeyne, 

Callid  Saloma,  the  stori  tellith  thus, 

He  vnto  hir  wex  suspecious,  96 

Because  she  was  accusid  of  envie 

Bi  Saloma  touchyng  auoutrie. 

64.   saide]  the  sayde  R. 

66.   reede]  tolde  H.       74.   began]  gan  H.       82.   garden  H. 

85.   of]  in  B,  H.       88.    among]  mong  R. 

93.  Aristobolus]  Aristobiis  R,  Aristolus  J,  Aristobolus  H. 

94.  his  sustir]  hir  stustir  B. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  140  verso. 


Galbus,  a 
prjEtor,  was 
slain  by  brig- 
ands after  his 
eyes  had  been 
torn  out.     He 
was  exiled  on 
suspicion  of 
aiding  in 
Caesar's  death. 


Bochas  next 
turned  to 

,,,    Herod  the 

'^     Great. 


76 


He  was  king 
in  Jewry, 
son  of  Anti- 
pater, and  for 
his  knighthood 
made 

guardian  of 
Gallilee. 


A  famous  man, 
he  had  nine 
wives. 

Mariannes  was 
fairest  of  them 
all. 


She  had  two 
sons  by  him, 
Alexander  and 
Aristobolus; 
but  because  his 
sister  Saloma 
disdained  at 
her  and 
accused  her  of 
adultery, 
Herod  became 
suspicious  and 
slew  her. 


77S 


The  Story  of  King  Ilcrod 


[bK.  VII 


After»-jird»  he 
greatly  rc- 

3 retted  her 
eath. 


That  is  what 
followt  when  a 
prince  is  hasty 
to  believe 
every  tale  he 
hears. 
For  sorrow 
Hcrcvd  fell  into 
melancholia 


and,  troubled 
with  fits  of 
fury  and  bad 
dreams,  was 
lunatic  once  a 
month. 


But  he  was 
made  king  of 
Judaea  by 
Antony  and 
Octavian, 


although  a 
foreigner  and 
a  usurper. 
This  was  at 
the  time  of 
the  birth  of 
Christ  Jesus. 


Ageyn[c]s  hire  of  rancour  sodcnli 

He  gan  of  herte  greuousli  dlsdeyne;  loo 

With  rigcrous  suerd  he  slouh  hir  furioush'. 

But  as  the  stori  doth  vs  acerteyne, 

He  for  hir  deth  felt  aftirward  gret  peyne, 

Euere  whan  it  cam  to  his  remenibraunce,  104 

Hir  port,  hir  cheer,  hir  woma/di  plesaunce. 

Loo,  what  it  is  a  prince  to  he  hasti. 

To  eueri  tale  of  rancour  to  assente. 

And,  cou;;sailles,  proceede  wilfulli  108 

To  execuciou;;,  of  froward  fals  entente; 

For  Herodes  so  sore  dede  hym*  rrpente 

That  he  for  thouht[e]  fill  into  anoye 

Of  hertli  sorwe  &  malencolie.  112 

Reste  hadde  he  non  novther  day  nor  niht, 

Tronblid  v^ith  furye  that  he  wex  frentik, 

With  dremys  vexid  &  many  an  vnkouth  siht; 

Of  cheer  nor  colour  to  no  man  he  was  lik,  116 

And  eueri  moneth  onys  lunatik. 

A  gret[e]  while  he  hadde  this  woful  lyfF 

For  sorwe  onli  he  hadde  slayn  his  wiff. 

And  as  the  stori  weel  reherse  can,  120 

In  the  Capitoile  mid  Roome  the  cite, 

Bi  Antonye  and  hi  Octouyan 

He  crownid  was  &  maad  kyng  of  lude, 

Bi  the  Senat  maad  theron  a  decre,  124 

And  registred  that  he  and  his  kynreede 

Sholde  in  that  lond  lynealli  proceede. 

In  Roome  was  maad  the*  confirmaciouw 

To  this  Herodes,  bookis  specefie,  128 

Beyng  a  foreyn  the  translacioun 

Was  maad  of  luda  &  of  luerye. 

Sceptre,  crowne,  with  al  the  regalie 

Bi  hym  vsurpid,  as  ye  haue  herd  toforn,  132 

Vpon  the  tyme  whan  Crist  lesus  was  born. 


103.  aftirward]  om.  R. 

109.  entente]  om.  R. 

no.  so   sore  dede  hym]  dede  hym  so  sore  B  —  dede  hym]  he 

did  R,  J,  he  dyd  P. 

113.  nor]  ne  H,  J.       116.   no]  om.  H.       117.   onys]  he  wex  R. 

119.  he]  \>at  he  H. 

127.  the]  a  B.       133.   Crist]  cast  R. 


BK.  VIl] 


The  Story  of  King  Herod 


779 


This  same  Herodes  bi  procuraciouw 

Of  Antonye  did  also  occupie, 

Bi  Augustus  plener  comwyssioun  .  136 

The  grete  estat[e]  calHd  Tetrarchie 

In  too  kyngdames,  with  al  the  regahe: 

Of  Traconytides,  Iturye  eek  also, 

Bi  the  Romeyns  maad  lord  of  bothe  too.  140 

Maister  of  stories  r^herseth  of  hyw  thus: 

For  comendacioun  in  especiall 

In  Ascalon  he  bilt  a  statli  hous 

Of  riht  gret  cost,  a  paleis  ful  roiall,  144 

Was  non  so  riche,  for  to  reknyn  all. 

Aftir  which,  myn  auctour  doth  so  write. 

He  callid  was  Herode  Ascolonyte. 

This  same  Herodes,  cruel  of  nature,  148 

Of  cheer  &  port  passyng  ambicious. 

Ay  to  be  uengid  dide  his  besi  cure 

On  al  that  wern  to  hym  contrarious. 

His  wyues  brothir  Aristobolus,  152 

In  Iherusalem  cheefF  bisshop,  as  I  reede, 

Falsli  he  slouh  of  malis  &  hatreede. 

Vniustli  regnid,  born  heuy  thoruh  his  reum, 

His  herte  fret  &  kankrid  with  envie.  156 

Another  bisshop  in  Iherusalem, 

Callid  Hircanvs,  myn  auctowr  list  nat  lie. 

This  same  Herodes  in  his  malencolie 

Slouh  hym  vnwarli  be  ra.ncour  ful  vengable,  160 

Sittyng  at  dyneer  at  his  owne  table. 

Ther  was  no  man  of  corage  mor  cruell 

Nor  mor  desirous  to  be  magnefied; 

To  make  his  name  also  perpetuell  164 

Foure  statli  cites  he  hath  edefied, 

Of  which  the  names  been  beer  specefied: 

Cesaria,  Sebasten,  cites  souereyne, 

Antipadra,  Cipre,  the  othir  tweyne.  168 

He  hadde  also  a  fals  condiciouw:  [p.  345] 

He  truste[d]  non  that  was  of  his  kynreede. 

His  sonis  tweyne  hadde  in  suspeciouw, 

Ther  purpos  was  to  slen  hym  of  hatreede,  172 

Whan  he  wer  ded[e]  hopyng  to  succeede. 

149.   port  &  cheer  R.       156.    kankrid]  cancrik  H. 
158.   Hircamvs  H.       168.   Antipa'tra  and  Cipre  P. 


Herod  also 
occupied  the 
estate  of 
Tetrarch. 


He  built  a 
stately  palace 
in  Ascalon, 
which  Bochas 
thought  was  to 
his  credit. 


But  he  was 
cruel  and  am- 
bitious, and 
slew  his  wife's 
brother  Aris- 
tobolus, Bishop 
of  Jerusalem, 
out  of  hatred. 


He  reigned 
unjustly  and 
killed  another 
bishop  named 
Hyrcanus  as 
he  sat  at 
dinner  at 
his  own  table. 


No  man  was 
ever  more 
desirous  of 
fame.    To  per- 
petuate his 
name  he  built 
four  stately 
cities. 


He  also  had 
the  evil  habit 
of  not  trusting 
his  own  family, 
and  suspecting 
his  two  sons 
made  them  to 
be  slain  with- 
out cause. 


magi  came  to    Ncucr  thync;  so  cretli  dede  nim*  trouble, 

Jcriisalcm   to.  ,  11  ■  ti  i 

worship  Jesus,    As  whan  thie  kyngcs  kaw  to  Ihcrusaleni, 


780  Herod  slays  the  Infants  of  Bethlehem.  [[bk.  Vll 

And  causeles,  as  fadir  most  vnkynde, 
Made  liem  be  slayn,  in  stori  thus  I  fynde. 

fuf  Tna'a'""    I"  3I  his  wcrkyng  he  was  founde  double,  176 

tyrant:  and       \  gretfel  tifaunt  holde  thoruh  his  rcwm, 

when  the  three  e>         '    J  ' 

magi  came  i 
Jerusalem  t< 
worship  Jest 

caii"d  ki'ng.       \esws  to  scckc,  that  was  [born]  in  Bcthlem,  180 

Boldli  afFermy^jg,  cause  of  ther  komyng 
Was  to  worshepe  that  blissid  yonge  king. 

that'"rihiid      The  which[e]  thyng  whan  he  did  aduertise, 
to'de''7ive'him   Pfophecies  remewbryng  &  writyngis,  184 

of  his  realm.     Withynne  hymsilfF  a  mene  he  gan  deuise 

First  to  destroye  thes  hooli  famous  kynges; 
Namli,  whan  he  knew  of  ther  offrynges, 
Imagynyng,  gan  suppose  blyue  188 

The  child  was  born  that  sholde  hym  depryue, 

fn'tt' i^ragf.      NewH  descendid  from  Dauid  doun  be  lyne,  — 
slew  all  the       Cast  almost  Herodes  in  a  rage; 

inlants  ol  •       ,■  r  ii-  i* 

Bethlehem.       Of  cursid  herte  gan  frowardh  mahgne,  192 

Lik  a  tiraunt  of  venymous  outrage 
Slouh  al  the  childre  -withynne  too  yeer  age 
Aboute  Bethlem  a  ful  large  space; 
He  spared  non  for  fauowr  nor  for  grace.  196 

?h"fdrL'!ou°tTt  On  of  his  childre  beyng  at  norcerye, 
nurse,  was        ^.s  the  stoH  put  in  tcmembrauncc, 

slam  by  his  i      •   i  i      •  • 

knights  with      Of  aucnture  or  thei  koude  it  espie 

the  others,  tt-      i       -i  i        i         T 

probably  out     His  knihtifj  slouh;   1  trowe  it  was  vengaunce.         200 
vengeance,     ^^j^  titaunt  gladli  eendith  -with  myschaunce, 
And  so  must  he  that  wex  ageyn  Crist  wood. 
Which  for  his  sake  shadde  innocentifj  blood. 

^i^°oTO'chii-     The  nouwbre  of  childre  that  wer  slayn  in  deede     204 
dren  were  put   Aboute  Bcthlem  &  in  tho  parties, 

to  death  for  .1  1    •  1    r  •   r  1  1  t  1 

Christ's  sake.     An  hundrid  fourti  four  thousand,  as  1  reede, 
Too  yeer  of  age  souht  out  be  espies* 
Of  Herodes;   &  for  the  prophecies  208 

Of  Cristes  berthe  menciou?!  did[e]  make, 
Thei  wer  echon  slay[e]n  for  his  sake. 

176.  werkyng]  werk^j  H.       178.    him]  hem  B. 

180.   Bethlem]  bedlem  R,  Bedleme  H,  Betheleme  J. 

195.   Bethleem  R,  P,  Bedlem  H,  R  3,  Bethelem  J. 

198.   stori]  om.  R.      206.   fourti]  fourty  &  H.      207.   bespies  B. 


BK.  vii]  Herod's  disgusting  Illness  and  Death 

Fro  that  day  forth,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 

He  fill  in  many  vnkouth  malladie;  212 

His  flessh  ga«  turne  to  corrupciouw, 

Fret  with  wermys  upon  ech  partie, 

Which  hym  assailed  hi  gret  tormentrie: 

His  leggis  suell[e],  corbid  blak  gaw  shyne;  216 

Wher  vengauwce  werkith,  a-dieu  al  medec^'^ne. 

Of  his  seeknesse  the  stench  was  so  horrible, 

Tawaite  on  hym  no  man  myhte  abide; 

Vnto  hymsilff  his  careyn  wex  odible,  220 

So  sore  he  was  troublid  on  ech  side. 

Lechis  for  hym  did  a  bath  prouyde. 

But  al  for  nouht;   in  such  myscheeff  he  stood, 

Of  greuous  constreynt  he  sodenli  wex  wood.  224 

In  tokne  he  was  weri  of  his  lifF, 

So  importable  was  his  mortal  peyne, 

To  pare  an  appil  he  axed  a  sharp  knyfF,  — 

His  malladie  did  hym  so  constreyne,  —  228 

Fulli  in  purpos  to  kutte  his  herte  in  tweyne. 

The  knyfF  he  rauhte,  leiser  whan  he  fond;  — 

Oon  stood  beside,*  bakward  drouh  his  bond. 

For  peyne  vnnethe  his  wynd  he  myhte  drawe,       232 

GafF  al  his  freendis  in  comauwdement 

Bi  a  decre  &  a  furious  lawe. 

That  al  the  worthi  of  parties  adiacent. 

Which  that  wer  fayn  or  glad  in  ther  entent  236 

Of  his  deth,  he,  void  of  al  pite, 

The  same  day  thei  sholde  slay[e]n  bee. 

This  cursid  wrech,  this  odious  caitiff, 

I  reede  of  non  stood  ferther  out  of  grace,  240 

In  sorwe  &  myscheeff  eendid  hath  his  liff. 

Ech  man  was  glad[e]  whan  he  shold[e]  pace. 

And  for  his  stori  doth  this  book  difface 

With  woful  clauses  of  hym  whan  I  write,  244 

Therfor  I  caste  no  mor  of  hym*  tendite. 

^  ExpUcit. 


781 


From  that  day 
Herod  fell  into 
a  strange  ill- 
ness; his  flesh 
corrupted  and 
was  tormented 
with  worms; 
his  legs  swelled 
and  bent  and 
turned  black. 


His  odour  was 
so  awful  that 
no  man  could 
wait  on  him, 
and  a  bath 
prepared  by  his 
physicians  did 
him  no  good. 


Unable  to 
stand  it  any 
longer,  he  went 
mad,  and  ask- 
ing for  a  knife 
to  pare  an 
apple  tried  to 
kill  himself. 


He  could 
hardly  draw  in 
his  breath  for 
pain,  and  in  his 
fury  ordered 
all  the  worthies 
of  the  country, 
who  were  glad 
of  his  sickness, 
to  be  slain 
on  the  day  of 
his  death. 


Finally  this 
cursed  wretch 
came  to  an 
end.     No  one 
ever  stood 
farther  out  of 
grace.     His 
story  disfigures 
this  book. 


215.  Which]  with  R.      216.   blak]  bak  R. 
219.  Tawaite]  to  waite  H,  to  wait  R  3. 
225.   was]  wex  H.       226.   inportable  R. 
231.   beside]  behynde  B. 
245.   no  mor  of  hym]  of  hym  no  mor  B. 


229.   2nd  in]  on  H. 


782 


y^n  Envoy  on  Herod 


[bk.  VII 


Herod,  who 
tlenr  his  wife 
and  children 
and  the  infants 
of  Bethlehem 
and  frowardly 
shewed  malice 
to  Jesus,  ended 
niiterabiy. 


His  sword  of 
vengeance  was 
always  ready 
whet  to  shed 
innocent  blood. 


He  would  have 
no  one  his 
equal  to  suc- 
ceed  him,  and 
as  he  was  but 
an  alien,  he 
especially 
dreaded   Jesus, 
who  was  of  the 
line  of  Jesse. 


Noble  Princes, 
do  not  oppress 
your  people; 
remember  the 
end  of  Herod, 
who  maligned 
against  Christ. 


o 


pLenvoye.] 

FF  Herodes  the  vnwar  cursid  fall,      [p.  346] 
The  lyff  vngracious  of  hym  &  his  kinreede, 


Euere  vengable  in  his  estat  roiall, 
His  wifF,  his  childre  sloiih  of  old  hatreede; 
In?;ocentis  he  made  in  Betiileiii  bleede, 
Regnyng  in  luda,  born  of  a  foreyn  lyne, 
The  firste  tiraunt  (ye  may  the  Bible  reede) 
Which  ageyn  Crist  gan  frowardli  maligne. 

His  suerd  of  rigour,  cruell  &  mortall, 
Ay  reedi  whet  to  do  vengaunce  in  deede, 
Hasti,  funious  with  furies  infernall 
Of  wilful  malis  innocent  blood  to  sheede. 
Dide  execucioun  also  in  womanheede, 
Slouh  his  allies,  which  was  a  cursid  signe,  — 
Was  the  firste  cause  he  stode  in  dreede,  — 
Which  ageyn  Crist  ga«  frowardli  maligne. 

He  wolde  that  non  wer  to  hym  egall 
That  day  alyue  in  Israel  to  succeede; 
The  berthe  of  Crist  dradde  in  especiall, 
Cause  fro  lesse  his  lyne  gan  floure  &  seede. 
He  but  a  foreyn,  cam  in  be  fraude  &  meede, 
Withoute  title,  to  that  estat  vndigne, 
The  firste  also,  who  list  take  heede, 
Which  ageyn  Crist  gan  frowardli  maligne. 

Noble  Pryncis,  that  gouerne  all 

This  large  world[e]  bothe  in  lengthe  &  breede, 

Whan  ye  sit  hiest  in  your  roial  stall, 

Doth  nat  the  peeple  oppresse  nor  ouerleede. 

Vpon  Herodes  remembreth,  as  ye  reede, 

In  what  myscheeff  that  tiraunt  dide  fyne, 

To  shewe  that  non  shal  in  his  purpos  speede, 

Which  ageyn  Crist  doth  frowardli  maligne. 


248 


252 


256 


260 


264 


268 


272 


276 


Herod  Antipas 
succeeded 
Herod  the 
Great;  but  as 
he  was  exiled 
by  Octavian 


[Off  Antipas  exilid  bi  Octavian  and  of  Achelaus  son 
of  herodes  the  secounde.]  ^ 

COMPETVDIOUSLI  as  ye  haue  herd  l^e  fall 
Of  Herodes  remembrid  be  Bochas, 
How  bi  his  testament  set  in  especiall  280 

To  succeede  was  Herode  Antipas; 

246.   cursid  vnwar  H.       255.   whet]  wher  R. 
256.   fumous]  furious  H.       265.   gan]  did  H. 
1  MS.  J.  leaf  141  verso. 


BK.  VII  ]  The  Words  betzveen  Messalina,  Caliguluy  y  Tiberius  783 


In  hast  exilid,  of  hym  this  was  the  caas, 

Bi  Octovian  to  Vyenwe,  as  I  reede, 

Archelaus  ordeyned  to  succeede,  284 

Sone  of  Herodes  callid  the  secouwde, 

Which  in  effect  took  pocessiouw, 

In  Iherusalem  regned,  as  it  is  fouwde, 

Of  whom  myn  auctowr,  for  short  conclusiouw,         288 

Maketh  in  his  book  but  smal  menciouw: 

Hym  and  his  brothir  set  sodenli  aside;  — 

Of  them  to  write  no  lenger  list  abide. 

SaufF  that  he  writ  how  forseid  Antipas  292 

At  Vyenwe,  a  myhti  gret  cite, 

In  [his]  exil  soone  aftir  slay[e]n  was. 

Archelaus,  succeedyng  in  ludee, 

With  Herodias,  the  stori  who  list  see,  296 

Bi  Agrippa  to  Tiberie  accusid. 

Of  certeyn  crymes  koude  nat  been  excusid. 

A  certeyn  tyme  comauwdid  to  prisoun, 

Of  themperoMr  koude  neu^r  gete  grace;  300 

Ban[y]shed  hym  [ferr]  from  his  regeouw 

Into  Spayne  for  a  certeyn  space. 

And  his  worshepe  breeffli  to  difface, 

Fortune  causid  to  his  fynal  repreff,  304 

He  deide  ther  in  pouert  &  myscheefF. 

The  fatal  eende  rehersid  of  thes  tweyne. 

In  what  distresse  that  thei  dide  fyne, 

Myn  auctowr  aftir  gan  his  penwe  ordeyne  308 

To  write  the  caas  be  many  a  woful  lyne, 

Vpon  the  striff  atween[e]  Messalyne 

And  othir  tweyne  stondyng  bi  hir  side, 

Tofor  lohn  Bochas  how  thei  dide  chide.  312 

Tofor  Bochaj"  thei  cam  al  thre  to  pleyne, 

Messalyne,  wiff  onto  Claudius, 

Ageyn[e]s  whom  ther  wer  othir  tweyne, 

Calligula  and  Tiberius,  316 

In  whos  tyme  was  slay[e]n  Crist  Ihesus. 

Touchyng  debat  that  was  among  thes  thre, 

Suende  the  processe,  heer  folwyng  ye  shal  see. 

282.   this]  thus  H.  285.   secounde]  secounde  in  deede  H,  R  3. 

287.   regned]  regnyng  H  —  it  is  founde]  I  reede  H,  R  3,  R,  J, 

H  s,  I  rede  P. 
296.   who  list  the  story  R,  J. 
311.   hir]  his  H.       319.   Suende]  sueng  H,  Suyd  H  5,  Suinge  P. 


and  set  aside, 
together  with 
his  brother,   in 
favour  of 
Archelaus, 


my  author  says 
little  about 
him,    except 
that  he  was 
slain  during 
his  exile. 
Archelaus, 
accused  by 
Agrippa  to 
Tiberius, 


was  sent  to 
prison  and 
died  in 
poverty  in 
Spain. 


Bochas  next 
turned  his 
pen  to  the 
unseemly 
quarrel  be- 
tween Messa- 
lina, wife  of 
Claudius, 


and  Caligula 
and  Tiberius, 
who  upbraided 
one  another  in 
his  presence. 


784  7he  Words  bctu.'een  Affssalina,  Caligula,  i^  Tiberius  [bk.  vii 


Tiberiut  and 
Calutula  ttooil 
angrily  before 
Bochas,  with 
Messalina  be- 
tween them. 


Caligula  first 
(poke,  and  he 
said  to  Mcssa- 
lina,  without 
respect  or 
ihame. 


"  You  defamed, 
adulterous 
woman,  what 
are  you  doing 
here  in  your 
mourning  gar- 
ments?    I  sup- 
pose you  have 
come  to  visit 
the  five  most 
infamous 
women  who 
ever  lived. 

"As  a  token, 
one  of  them, 
jtmilla,  was 
taken  in 
adultery  and 
divorced  by 
her  husband. 


"It  is  well 
known  that 
you  murdered 
Drusus;  nor 
are  you  any 
better  than 
Qaudia,  who 
also  was 
thrown  out  by 
her  lord  for 
adultery. 


[Ofif  the  striff  /  betwene,  Calligula,  Tiberius  & 
messalyne,]  ' 

THIS  emperesse  namyd  Messalyne,  320 

As  I  haue  told,  was  wlf  to  Claudius, 
Successour,  as  bookis  determyne, 
To  Calligula  callid  Gayus. 

And,  as  I  fynde,  that  Tiberius  324 

With  Calligula,  bothe  wood  for  teene, 
Stood  affor  Bochas,  &  Messalyne  atweene, 

Meetyng  al  thre  with  furious  look  &  cheere.   [p.  347] 

Gayus  Calligula,  callid  be  his  name,  328 

Gan  first  reherse,  anon  as  ye  shal  heere, 

Withoute  reuerence  or  any  maner  shame, 

With  an  exordie  to  difFame, 

Bochas  present,  felli  gan  abraide  333 

To  Messalyna,  &  euene  thus  he  saide: 

^  "Thou  sclau?zdrid  woman,  noised  in  lecherie 

Thoruh  al  the  world,  as  folk  thi  name  atwite, 

And  reportid  for  thyn  auoutrie,  336 

What  dost  thou  heer  in  thi  murnyng  habite? 

I  trowe  thou  komest  of  purpos  to  visite 

In  this  place  thunhappi  women  fyve, 

Touchyng  disclaundre  that  eu^r  wern  alyue.  340 

The  firste  of  hem  callid  Amylia, 

And  Lepida  was  named*  the  secounde, 

Lyuia,  Plaucia,  &  the  fifte  Elia, 

DifFamed  echon  in  deede,  as  it  was  founde.  344 

In  tokne  wheroff  the  lecherye  to  confouwde 

Off  Emylia,  in  auoutry  take, 

Was  bi  the  lawe  of  hir  lord  forsake. 

Bi  the  whilom  was  knowe  that  Drusus  348 

Istranglid  was  and  moordred  be  poisoun; 

Lik  to  Claudia,  douhtir  of  Claudius, 

Which  bi  hir  lord,  the  book  makth  mewciouw, 

Was  throwen  out,  to  hir  confusioun,  352 

For  hir  defautis  founde  in  auoutrie 

Sclaundrid  for  euere;  ther  was  no  remedie. 

328.   Gayus]  geyn  H.       331.   exordie]  Exody  H. 
333.    Messaline  P.       334.    noised  in]  namyd  with  H. 
341.   Emilia  R,  P,  Emylia  H.       343.   Elia]  Helya  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  142  recto. 


BK.  Vii]  The  Words  between  Messalina,  Caligula,  ^  Tiberius  785 

Thou  koudest  whilom  mak  thi  lord  to  slepe, 

With  certeyn  drynkis  to  cast  hym  in  a  r^rage,        356 

Bi  which  he  was  maad  his  bed  to  keepe, 

To  gete  leiseer  in  thi  flouryng  age, 

For  to  mysuse  of  fals  lust  thyn  outrage, 

Anihter  tyme  took  upon  a  weede,  360 

At  the  bordel  dist  amys  for  meede. 

Thyn  appetit  was  verray  vnstaunchable; 

It  is  a  shame  to  write  it  or  expresse. 

Thyn  hatful  lyff  was  so  abhowinable,  —  364 

Tiberi  and  I  can  bern  heerof  witnesse." 

And  with  that  woord  anon  she  gaw  hit  dresse, 

Whan  she  had  herd[e]  al  ther  fel  langage, 

Gaff  hem  this  ansuere  with  a  sad  visage:  368 

^  "Certis,"  quod  she,  "I  koude  neuer  keepe 

To  saue  my-silff,  a  woful  creature,  — 

I  haue  gret  cause  to  cowpleyne  &  weepe 

My  sclauwdrous  l}^,  which  I  may  nat  r^cure.        372 

But  I  suppose  I  hadde  it  of  nature 

To  be  such  oon;   for  be  daies  olde 

An  astronomyen  so  my  fadir  tolde, 

At  my  berthe  takyng  the  ascendent,  376 

Tolde  longe  afforn  of  my  mysgou^rnauwce: 

The  sunwe,  the  moone  toward  thorient 

Wer  in  the  signe  that  bereth  the  ballauwce;  — 

And  saide  also,  mor  for  assurauwce,  380 

The  same  signe  hadde  be  descripcioun 

His*  foot  in  Virgyne,  armys  in  the  Scorpiouw. 

Amyd  the  heuene  was  Venus  exaltat, 

With  Mars  conioyned,  \>e  book  makth  mencioun;  384 

And  lubiter  was  also  infortunat 

To  my  saide  disposiciouw, 

Withynne  the  Fissh  heeld  tho  his  mawsiouw: 

Thus  be  the  lordship  pleynli  of  Venvs  388 

I  was  disposed  for  to  be  lecherous." 

In  hir  excus  the  saide  Messalyne 

Gan  alegge  hir  constellaciouw; 

But  prudent  clerkis  pleynli  determyne,  392 

Of  the  heuenly  cours  the  disposicioun 


"You  knew 
how  to  drug 
your  husband 
and  make  him 
sleep;  while 
you   went  to 
the  brothel  and 
debauched 
yourself  for 
money. 


"It  is  shameful 
to  write  about 
your  insatiable 
lust  and  your 
hateful, 
abominable 
life.    Tibery 
and  I  can 
bear  witness 
to  it." 


"It  is  true," 
she  replied, 
"I  have  good 
reason  to  weep 
over  my  scan- 
dalous life,  but 
it  was  nature's 
fault;  for  when 
I  was  born  an 
astronomer 


told  my  father 
that  the  sun 
and  moon  were 
in  Libra,  and 
that  Libra's 
foot  was  in  the 
Virgin  and  his 
arms  in 
Scorpio. 


Venus  was  in 
a  position  of 
greatest  in- 
fluence, and, 
as  the  book 
says,  in  con- 
junction with 
Mars;  and 
Jupiter  too, 
was  unfavour- 
able to  my 
disposition, 
and  had  his 
mansion  in 
the  Fish. 
Thus  it  is  plain 
that  Venus  dis- 
posed me  to  be 
wanton." 


365.   Tiberius  P. 


382.   His]  The  B. 


7S6  The  Words  betzveen  Messalina,  Caligula,  y  Tiberius   [bk.  vii 


In  th!«  manner 
Messalina 
pleaded   her 
constellation  in 
excuse;    but 
clerks  say  that 
no  well  be- 
haved person 
is  constrained 
to  do  wrong 
by  force. 
ISior  is  there 
any  necessity 
for  living  a 
vicious  life. 
There  is  no 
sin  that  is  not 
voluntary. 

Yet  Messalina 
would  not 
leave  off  ex- 
cusing herself. 
"Hercules  once 
bore  up  the 
heavens,  yet 
for  all  his 
chivalry  he 
never  could 
overcome  the 
vice  of  lechery. 

"And  as  for 
you,   Caligula 
and  Tiberius, 
I  shall  not 
heed  what 
either  of  you 
say.     You, 
Gaius  Cali.[;ula, 
are  yourself 
besmirched,  and 
should  know 
better  than 
rebuke  others. 

"Your  scanda- 
lous behaviour 
is  reported 
through  all  the 
world :    you 
seduced  your 
three  sisters, 
and  may  well 
blush  for 
shame.     Don't 
blame  me  again 
as  long  as  you 
live! 

"It  is  not 
fitting  that  a 
thief  should  sit 
in  judgment 
on  theft,  nor 
should  one 
profligate 
chastise  others. 


396 


400 


404 


Is  obeissau«t  &:  soget  to  resoun, 

That  eueri  man  wliich  weel  gou^rnid  is, 

Is  nat  constreyned  of  force  to  doon  amys,  — 

Nor  bynt  no  man  of  necessite 

Vicious  lustis  frowardli  to  sue. 

A  vertuous  man  stant  at  liberte 

Fals  inclynaciou/!s  be  prudence  to  r^mewe; 

Euery  man  be  grace  may  eschewe 

All  thyng  to  vertu  that  founde  is  contrarie: 

For  ther  is  no  synne  but  it  be  voluntarie. 

Yit  for  al  this,  the  saide  Messalyne 

In  hire  excus[e]  wolde  nat  been  in  pes: 

"The  heuene,"  quod  she,  "as  poetis  Attermynt, 

Was  born  up  whilom  be  myhti  Hercules, 

Yit  coude  he  neuere  of  nature  ha[ue]  reles,         -     408 

For  al  his  knihthod  &  his*  cheualrie, 

To  ouercome  the  vice  of  lecherie. 

But  thou  Calligula  and  thou  Tiberius,  [p.  348] 

What-euer  ye  seyn  I  take  therof  non  heede;  412 

For  thou  Calligula,  callid  eek  Gayus, 

Thi-silfF  diffoulid  with  lecherie  in  deede, 

To  rebuke  othir  thou  sholdest  stonde  in  dr^ede, 

But  thi  rebukis  in  parti  for  to  quyte;  416 

Who  is  diffoulid  non  othir  sholde  atwite. 

Bi  Fames  trumpet  thi  sclauwdre  is  out  blowe, 
Thoruh  al  the  world  reportid  shamfuUie, 
Thi  thre  sustren  fleshli  thou  dest  hem  knowe, 
Wex  red  for  shame;  and  for  thi  partie, 
For  the  vice  of  hatful  lecherie 
Duryng  thi  liff  put  me  no  mor  in  blame, 
Which  art  thi-silfF  diffoulid  in  the  same. 


430 


424 


It  sittith  nat  in  no  man^r  wise 

A  theef  for  theffte  to  sitte  in  iugement; 

A  lecherous  man  a  lechour  to  chastise, 

Nor  he  that  hath  al  his  lyfF  Ispent 

In  wast  &  riot,  forfetid  &  myswent, 

To  been  a  iuge  othr^  to  redresse, 

Nor  leprous  lechis  to  cure  men  of  seeknesse. 


428 


409.  his]  al  his  B. 

411.  1st  thou3  om.  H,  R  3. 

418.  Fames]  famous  H  —  out]  vp  H. 

423.  thi]  the  R.      430.   to]  for  to  R. 


420.   dest]  didst  H. 


BK.  vii3  The  Words  between  Messalina,  Caligula,  y  Tiberius   ySj 


I  wolde  ha  sufFrid  and  take  [in]  pacience 

YifF  of  AfFrik  the  chast[e]  Scipiouw 

Hadde  me  rebukid  for*  my  gr<?t  offence: 

I  wolde  haue  suffrid  his  yerde  of  iust  resouw. 

Or  yif  the  famous  prudent  old  Catoun 

Hadde  ageyn  me  in  swich  cas  maad  abraid, 

I  wolde  haue  suffrid  what-euere  he  hadde  said. 


432 


436 


"If  chaste 
Scipio  of  Africa 
had  rebuked 
me,  or  prudent 
old  Cato,  I 
should  have 
accepted  it 
with  submis- 


Or  yif  Lucrese  for  my  correccioun 

Hadde  seid  to  me,  for  vertuous  doctrine,  440 

Alle  my  surfetis  myd  of  Roome  toxin, 

I  wolde  haue  bowed  [bothe]  bak  &  chyne. 

To  have  obeied  onto  hir  disciplyne. 

Shame  for*  a  crepil,  to  stonde  that  hath  no  miht,  444 

To  rebuke  othir  for  thei  go  nat  vpriht! 

Ageyn[e]s  the  also  I  may  replie, 

Many  another  fals  conspiraciouw 

Touchyng  mateeres  of  nigromawcie,  448 

And  many  another  contreued  fals  poisoun 

Fouwde  in  too  bookis,  Bochas  makth  mencioun, 

Oon  callid  Pugio,  most  supersticious, 

And  the  secounde  Inamyd  Gladius,  452 

Hable  al  this  world  tenvenyme  &  encloie; 

Ageyn  thre  statis  duellyng  in  Roome  touw, 

Ther  namys  write  of  them  thou  cast  destroie, 

Which  to  remembre  is  gret  abusioun.  456 

A  chest  also  fulfilled  of  poisouw, 

Aftir  thi  deth  cast  in  the  se,  I  reede, 

Bi  which  an  hundred  thousand  fisshes  wer  dede"  .  .  . 


^  (On  this  mateer  is  tedious  for  tabide, 
Namli  to  princis*  born  of  hih  estat; 
It  sittith  nat  gentil  blood  to  chide, 
Bi  furious  rancozir  to  stonde  at  debat. 
And  for  thes  mateeres  been  infortunat, 
I  wil  passe  ouer  &  no  mor  of  hem  write, 
Sauff  of  ther  eende  compendiousli  tendite.) 


460 


464 


"Or  if 
Lucrece  had 
held  up  to 
me  my  ex- 
cesses I  should 
have  bowed 
down  to  her 
discipline. 


"I  may  also 
say  that  you 
dabbled  in 
necromancy, 
and,  as  Bochas 
mentions, 
concocted 
poisons  with 
the  help  of  two 
books,  and 


kept  a  list  of 
the  people  you 
wished  to  de- 
stroy.    After 
your  death 
your  poison 
chest,  cast  into 
the  sea,  killed 
100,000  fishes. 


(This  subject  is 
so  unpleasant, 
especially  to 
princes,  with 
its  ill-bred 
quarreling, 
that  I  will  pass 
over  to  the 
last  part  of  it.) 


432.   in]  om.  R.       434.   for]  bi  B. 
444.   for]toB,  H,  R  3,H  5. 
446.   I  may  also  R. 
453.   this]  t)e  H. 

461.   princis]  princis  princessis  B,  H,  R  3,  R,  J,  P,  R  2, 
H  4,  SI,  Add,  H  s. 


H3, 


7S8    The  Words  hehveen  Messalina,  Caligula,  y  Tiberius  [bk.  vii 


''I  have  «l»o 
■omethinR  to 
My  to  you, 
Tiberius:    the 
people  of  Cam- 
pania scorned 
you   for   you  r 
unnatural 
vice*, 


and  even 
when  you  grew 
old  you  would 
not  forbear, 
and  used  res- 
toratives, so 
infatuated  you 
were  in  your 
debauchery. 
"What  right 
have  you  to 
scold  me? 

"I  did  wrong 
when  I  was 
young,  as 
Gaius  has  just 
said,  but  you 
were  outrag- 
eous all  your 
life;  and  both 
of  you  became 
froward 
gluttons  to 
enforce  your 
excesses. 

"  Moreover, 
Tibery,  when 
you  were  em- 
peror, you 
murdered 
Asinius,  the 
famous  orator, 


and  you  exiled 
the  king  of 
Parthia  out  of 
covetousness, 
for  you  wanted 
his  wealth;  and 
he  died  in 
distress. 


"You  let 
Agrippina 
starve  to 
death, 

although   she 
ran  to  the 
image  of  Octa- 
vian  in  the 
temple  for  aid. 


"  To  the  Tiberye  I  hauc  siinnvhat  to  seyn: 

Knowe  and  rcportid  be  many  a  creature,  468 

How  in  Chau?;ipayne  folk  hadde  of  the  disdeyn 

For  thi  most  hatful  lecherous  ordure, 

In  thilke  vice  which  is  ageyn  nature. 

Which  tacomplissh,  void  of  al  hap  &  grace,  472 

Thyn  abidyng  was  in  suspecious  place. 

To  swich  fals  lustis  duryng  al  thi  lyff, 

List  nat  forber[e]n  in  thi  latter  age, 

Thou  vsist  many  riche  restoratiff  476 

In  suiche  vnthrifFt  tencrece  thi  corage, 

Of  ribaudi  thou  fill  in  such  dotage,  — 

How  maist  thou  thanne  rebuke  me.''  For  shame! 

Which  in  such  caas  art  blottid  with*  difFame.         480 

I  dide  amys,  but  it  was  in  my  youthe. 

Horrible  thynges,  which  Gayus  heer  hath  told. 

But  thyn  outrage,  the*  report  is  yit  kouthe. 

Thou  dist  hem  vse  bothe  yong  &  old.  484 

And  for  tafforce  your  vices  manyfold. 

Thou  &  Calligula,  in  al  swich  ribaudie, 

Dide  grettest  surfet  in  froward  glotonie. 

Also  Tiberye,  thou  beyng  emperowr,  488 

Cruel  causeles,  &  most  malicious, 

Dist  moordre  in  Roome  the  famous  oratowr 

Callid  in  his  tyme  prudent  Asynyus, 

Which  thoruh  thempire,  Romeyns  tolde  thus,        492 

Was  liht  &  lanterne  founde  at  al  assaies, 

Of  rethorik[e]  callid  in  his  daies. 

Thou  wer  eek  cause  that  worthy*  Nonomus,  [p.  349] 

Kyng  of  Parthois,  thoruh  thi  cruelte  496 

Exilid  was,  thou  wer  so  coueitous 

To  haue  pocessioun  of  his  tresour,  parde,  — 

Deide  in  myscheefF  and  in  pouerte. 

Be  sham[e]fast  any  wiht  taccuse,  500 

Which  in  such  caas  thi-silf  canst  nat  excuse! 

^  To  Agripyne  thou  dist  ful  gr<?t  outrage. 

As  Romeyn  stories  weel  reherse  can. 

Whan  she  for  socowr  to  the  gret  image  504 

Ran  to  be  sauyd  of  Octouyan, 

Mid  the  temple  a  place  callid  than, 

480.   with]  for  B.       483.   outrage  the]  outrages  be  B. 
495.   worthy]  werri  B,  werrey  H,  werry  R,   R  3,  H  5,  H  4, 
werrei  R  2,  wery  H  3,  werreie  Add,  verry  SI,  wourthy  H  2. 


BK.  vii^  The  Words  between  Messalina,  Caligula,  y  Tiberius    789 


Which  halp  hir  nat  ^at  she  list  thidir  weende: 

Put  out  be  force;   for  hunger  made  aw  eende.         508 

Thyn  owyn  brothir  callid  Germanicus, 

Which  in  his  tyme  was  so  good  a  kniht,  — 

^  Thi  brothir  also  named  eek*  Drusus,  — 

Bothe  wer  poisowned  &  slayn  agey«[es]  riht  512 

Bi  fals  conspirywg  of  thyn  imperial*  myht. 

Texcuse  the  moordre,  thi-siluen  at  the  leste 

Wer  clad  in  blak,  at  ther  funeral  feeste. 

I  haue  no  kunnywg,  speche  nor  langage  516 

To  reherse  nor  make  mencioun 

Specialli  of  the  gret  outrage 

And  sacrilege  thou  dist  in  Roome  town. 

Be  violence  whan  thou  drouh[e]  doun  ^        520 

The  image  of  lanus,  &  aftir  in  al  hast 

Into  Tibre  madest  hym  to  be  cast. 

And  thou  Calligula,  among  thi  vices  all, 
Of  surquedie  and  fals  presumpcioun 
Woldest  that  men  a  god  the  sholde  call, 
Tueen  Pollux  Castor  to  haue  thi  mawsiouw. 
Fro  whiche  place*  thou  art  now  throwe  dou«, 
Which  heeld  thi-silfF  among  the  goddis  seuene 
Egal  with  lubiter  for  to  sitte  in  heuene. 

Ansuere  to  me,  heer  beyng  in  presence. 

Which  of  thes  foure,  Mars,  lanus,  Myn^rue, 

Or  Mercuric,  god  of  elloquence,  532 

Hath  rent  the  douw,  as  thou  dist  diss^rue, 

Fro  lubiter  in  myscheef  for  to  sterue? 

That  thou  heer-aftir,  wher-so  thou  lauh  or  frowne, 

Shalt  haue  no  fauoz^r  mor  with  hym  to  rowne.       536 

With  these  defautis  &  many  another 

AfFor[n]  rehersid  in  hyndrywg  of  thi  name  — 

How  thou  ordeynest  first  to  slen  thi  brothir 

Wzt^  men  of  armes,  which  was  to  the  gr^t  shame;  540 

^  To  Tholome  thou  dist  also  the  same, 

Sone  &  heir  to  kyng  lubatouw; 

And  many  a  senatowr  thou  slouh  in  Roome  toun. 


524 


528 


"You  had  your 
brothers  Ger- 
manicus and 
Drusus 

poisoned,  and 
then  wore 
black  at  their 
funerals  to  ex- 
cuse the  mur- 
der. 


"I  have 
neither  art  nor 
language  to 
tell  the  out- 
rage and 
sacrilege  you 
did  when  you 
pulled  down 
Janus  and 
threw  him  into 
the  Tiber. 


"And  you, 
Caligula, 
wanted  men  to 
call  you  a  god 
and  to  have 
your  mansion 
between  Castor 
and  Pollux! 


"Inasmuch  as 
you  thought 
yourself  equal 
to  Jupiter,  tell 
me  now  which 
god.  Mars, 
Janus,  Minerva 
or  Mercury, 
cast  you  down? 


"You  slew 
your  brother 
with  men-at- 
arms,  and 
Ptolemy  and 
many  a  sena- 
tor. 


511.  also  named  eek]  also  callid  B,  eke  namyd  also  H. 

513.  imperial]  owen  B.       521.   al]  al  l)e  H. 

526.  Castor]  &  Castor  H,  P. 

527.  Fro  whiche  place]  For  which  B. 


790  The  IJ'ords  between  Messalina,  Caligula,  ^  Tiberius   []bk.  vii 


"You  shut  up 
the  granaries 
and   starved 
tlie  people  of 
Home,  Ki  that, 
dreadful  to 
say,  they 
ate  their  own 
members. 


"  I  don't  sup- 
pose that 
Jupiter  or 
Juno  told  you 
to  do  this; 
very  likely  it 
was  Venus, 
who  wanted  to 
flatter  you,  or 
Mars.     Soon 
afterwards  you 
yourself  were 
murdered 
by  your  own 
servants. 


"Look  to  your 
left;    is  that 
not  Cacsonia, 
your  wife, 
whom  you 
afterwards 
slew,  and  your 
daughter  Dru- 
Gilla? 


I' I  am  aston- 
ished that 
neither  of  you 
is  ashamed  to 
blame  me  for  a 
small  mote  like 
lechery,  and 
cannot  see  the 
beam  in  your 
own  eye. 


"Where  do 
your  souls 
dwell.'     I   sup- 
pose Charon 
landed  you  on 
the  strand  of 
Styi  in  hell. 


Shettlst  up  myd  Roome  the  cite  544 

Ther  jicrneris,  which  neuer  afforn  was*  seyn; 

Wheibi  eiifauiyncd  was  the  coniounte,  — 

Pite  to  heere;   this  [is]  plat  &  pleyn,  — 

Of  necessite  constreyned  in  certeyn  548 

(Shame  to  reherse  or  put  [it]  in  scripture) 

Eet  ther  mewbris,  a  thyng  ageyn  nature. 

lubiter  nor  luno  the  goddesse 

Gaff  no  such  counsail,  I  suppose,  onto  the;  552 

But  it  was  Venus,  to  flatre  thyn  hihnesse, 

And  furious  Mars,  bi  froward  cruelte 

To  slen  senatours  grettest  of  that  cite; 

Thi-silff  soone  aftir,  wherof  the  toun  was  fayn,      556 

Bi  thi  s^ruauntifj"  moordrid  wer^  &  slayn. 

And  for  tabate  thyn  outrage  &  [thi]  pride, 

Which[e]  thou  hast  vsid  al  thi  liff, 

Lefft  up  thyn  hed,  looke  on  thi  lefft[e]  side,  560 

Thou  fyndere  up  of  moordre  &  of  striff! 

^  Slouh  thou  nat  Cesonia  thi  wiff?  — 

Thi  douhtir  aftir,  that  callid  was  Drusill, 

Of  cursid  entent  thi  malis  to  fulfill?  564 

I  haue  m<frueile  how  any  of  you  tweyne, 

Thou  Calligula  or  thou  Tiberius, 

Be  nat  ashamed  any  thyng  to  seyne 

Ageyw[e]s  me,  with  visage  despitous  568 

Me  for  tatwite  that  I  was  lecherous! 

Of  a  smal  mote  ye  can  abraide  me. 

But  in  yowr  eye  a  beem  ye  cannat  see. 

Wher  haue  yowr  soules  take  l^^r  herbergage,  572 

That  been  contrarle  with  me  for  to  stryue? 

I  trowe  that  Caron  hath  maad  yowr  passage 

Vp  at  the  stronde  in  helle  for  taryue, 

Ther  ye  abide,  thus  I  [can]  descryue,  576 

Wher  dr^dful  Stix,  callid  Jie  infernal  flood, 

Of  custuw  renweth  with  furious  wawes  wood. 


544.  Shettlst]  Settist  R,  H  5  —  myd]  amyd  H. 

545.  was]  wer  B.       547.   is]  om.  R,  J,  P,  H  5. 
549.  it]  om.  R,  J,  R  3. 

558.  thi]  om.  H,  R  3,  H  5. 

560.  looke  on  thi]  take  on  \>e  H. 

576.  can]  om.  R,  J,  H,  R  3,  H  5,  P,  SI,  H  4,  H  3,  R  2. 


BK.  vii]  The  Words  between  Messalhia,  Caligula,  &  Tiberius  791 


[P-  350] 
580 


584 


Radamantus,  oon  of  the  iuges  tweyne, 
With  kyng  Mynos  hath  youe  a  fugement, 
Perpetueli  ye  shal  abide  in  peyne; 
And  Eacus  hath  ordeyned  your  torment: 
In  Flegeton,*  the  flood  most  violent, 
Ye  shal  be  drowned  &  an  eende  make, 
Euere  for  tabide  among  the  stremys  blake. 

I  may  you  calle  of  emperoiirs  the  refus, 

Ye  sholde  be  shamfast  to  shewe  out  yowr  visages, 

Verray  astoned,  dreedful  and  confus  588 

To  haue  to  me  so  vncurteis  langage!" 

Thus  Messalyne  dauwted  ther  corage 

With  hir  femynyn  crabbid  elloquence. 

Thei  durste  no  lenger  abide  in  hir  presence.  592 


where  Rhada- 

manthus, 
Minos,  and 
.'Eacus  have 
ordained  that 
you  shall  be 
forever 
drowned 
in  Phlegethon. 


"You  are  the 
refuse  of  em- 
perors, and 
ought  to  be 
ashamed  to 
speak  so  dis- 
courteously  to 
me."     At   this 
they  lost  coun- 
tenance and  no 
longer  dared 
remain  in  her 
presence. 


[Off  the  most  vicious  tiraunt  Nero  that  slouh  Petir 
and  Paule  and  atte  laste  himself  .3  ^ 

THIS  hatful  stori  with  many  a  woful  lyne 
Of  Calligula  and  Tiberius, 
Touching  \)e  strif  tueen*  hem  &  Messalyne, 
Shamful  rebukis,  froward  &  odious,  596 

Bi  them  rehersed  with  cheer  most  furious, 
As  ye  haue  herd,  heer  eendeth  ther  chidyng; 
Nero  the  tirant  kometh  next  onto  ^e  ryng. 

Oon  most  cursid  in  comparisoun  600 

That  euer  was,  of  hih  or  louh  degre, 

Most  disnaturel  of  condiciou« 

Bi  gret  outrages  of  cursid  cruelte, 

That  euere  regned  in  Roome  the  cite.  604 

His  fadir  callid,  bookis  determyne, 

Domycius,  his  moodir  Agripyne. 

This  Agripyna  bi  hir  subtilite,  — 

And  blynde  Fortune  beyng  fauourable,  608 

That  set  up  tirauwt^j"  of  froward  volunte 

(Be  ther  demeritis  thouh  thei  be  nat  hable) 


582.  Eacus]  Gacus  R,  J>  Cacus  P,  H  5,  Carus  H,  R  3. 

583.  Flageton  B,      587.  visage  H.      589.  languages  R  3. 


590. 
S9S- 
599- 
607, 


corages  R  3. 
atueen  B. 
onto]  on  H. 
hir]  his  H. 


600.  Oon]  This  Nero  H. 
MS.  J.  leaf  143  verso. 


After  this  hate- 
ful quarrel, 
with  its 
odious  and 
shameful  re- 
bukes, Nero 
appeared  on 
the  ring. 


He  was  one 
of  the  most      * 
cursed  men 
who  ever  lived 
or  reigned 
in  Rome.    His 
father  was 
Domitius  and 
his  mother 
Agrippina. 


She  was  sub- 
tile, and  For- 
tune favour- 
able; but  what 
thing  is  more 
dreadful  than 
cruel   tyrants! 


792  The  Story  of  the  vicious  Tyrant  Nero         [uk.  vii 

To  estat  imperial,  famous  &  notable. 

What  thi/;!^  mor  cliriiful,  who  ca;;  vndirrstonde,      612 

1  ha?/  cruel  tirau/;t^j  with  bloodi  sueicl  on  honde! 

wa's'tw^iv^       Whan  this  Nero  of  age  was  twclue  yeer 

G"ica'rncd"'^     IIc  was  ordcyucd  in  espcciall, 

his  grammar      Afftit  hc  haddc  Icmid  his  crameer  616 

and  the    seven       .        ,      ,  .  ,,.  ?,.,  ,, 

liberal  arts,  he   And  the  seucne  artis  callid  libcrall, 

was  put  in  the     ^r  ...  ,, 

hands  of  \  uto  a  maistet  m  al  vertu  nioiall, 

encca,  Callid  moral  Senec,  which  did  al  his  peyne 

From  all  vices  his  youthe  to  restreyne.  620 

from 'alfVi'cc"    ^^  keptc  hym  euere,  this  Senec,  as  I  reede, 
knowing  that     Maugte  his  fatal  disposicioun, 

his  natural  ">-      t,.  o  ,  , 

ciination  was     Bi  a  constreynt  &  a  maner  dreede 

towards  evil.        -,  ,  i     i  ■         i        ■ 

rrom  al  outrage  and  dissolucioun.  624 

Conseyued  weel  his  inclynacioun 

To  be  vicious  as  of  his  nature, 

Which  to  restreyne  he  dede  his  besi  cure. 

^entyi'ne''*'    ^^  ^'^^  ^  tucnti  wyntir  of  his  age,  628 

years  of  age  he   Croniclecrs  rchcrsen  of  hym  thus: 

married  Octa-       t  t  i  i  i     • 

via.  daughter     How  he  that  tyme  took  m  manage 

and  Messaiina.   Octovia,  douhtir  ofF  Claudius,  — 

Al  this  while  beyng  vertuous,  632 

Whil  Senec  hadde  hym  vndir  disciplyne,  — ■ 
His  moodir-in-lawe  callid  Messalyne. 

SeLe^'VeJt'*  The  saidc  Senec  made  hym  to  desire 

*^ith  0°  vinue-  ^^  pursue  kunnyng  bi  dilligewt  labowr;  636 

and  when  he  At  cntryng  in  first  of  his  empire,  — 

crowned  em-  I  mecne  whan  he  was  crownid  emperowr,  — 

the°favourof  Of  alle  the  Senat  hadde  gret  fauo^r; 

the  Senate.  p^^^  ^^  rcport,  as  cletkis  of  hym  write,  640 

In  prose  and  metre  he  koude  riht  weel  endite. 

weii^iTboth'^   In  lohn  Boch^j-  as  it  is  maad[e]  mynde, 
prose  and         j^g  jjjjg  excclle  gretli  in  poetrye, 

verse,  and  made   -.  ,      ,      .  ,     .  t   r         i 

a  notable  book   Made  m  tho  daics  also,  as  I  fynde,  644 

of  poetry  called      .    ,         ,  i  i         r  •    • 

Lusce.  A  book  notable  or  strauwge  poisie, 

Lik  as  myn  auctowr  of  hym  doth  specefie, 

The  title  therof  callid[e]  Lusce, 

Ageyn  a  pretowr  Clodius  Polle.  648 

614.   twelue^  xij  B. 

618.   vertu3  werkes  H.       629.   Cronyclis  H,  Cronycles  R  3. 

637.   in3  om.  R.      647.   Luscio  P.      648.   Pollio  P. 


BK.  vii]         The  Story  of  the  vicious  Tyrant  Nero 


793 


Excelled  in  muslk  &  in  armonye, 

Crownid  with  laureer  for  the  beste  harpowr 

That  was  that  tyme;   &  he  did  edefie 

In  Roome  a  paleis,  y^ith  many  a  riche  tour,  652 

Which  in  beeldyng  coste  gret  tresour, 

The  circuit  beyng  thre  thousand  pas; 

And  Transitorie  that  paleis  callid  was. 

For  this  cause,  as  put  is  in  memorie,  656 

The  said[e]  paleis  aftirward  was  brent, 

Therfor  it  was  callid  Transitorie;  — 

But  aftir  that,  Nero  in  his  entent 

Leet  beelde  an  hous,  bi  gret  auisement,  660 

To  recompence  the  tothir  that  was  old, 

And  callid  it  the  riche  hous  of  gold. 


He  was  also  an 
excellent  musi- 
cian and  the 
best  harper  of 
his  time. 
He  built  a 
palace  called 
Transitory 


because  it 
burnt  down 
soon  after- 
wards, and  a 
rich  house  of 
gold, 


In  al  this  world[e]  was  non  to  it  liche,  [p.  351] 

Wher  that  euer  men  did  ride  or  gon,  664 

Tables  of  iuor  fret  with  perre  riche, 

Pileres  of  cristal  garnished  v^ith  many  a  ston, 

Saphirs,  rubies  &  topazion, 

Crisolitis  &  emeraudis  greene, 

With  plate  of  gold  tiled  that  shon  ful  sheene. 

To  bodili  lust*  and  delectaciouw 
This  said[e]  Nero  set  al  his  desires; 
Gardyns,  conduitis  for  recreacioun 
He  dide  ordeyne  tendure  many  yeeris. 
Wzt^  nettis  of  gold  fisshed  in  his  ryueeris. 
His  garnementis  of  golde  &  Ynde  stonis, 
And  neuer  he  wolde  haue  hem  on  but  onys. 

In  his  begynnyng,  the  stori  doth  deuise. 

Lord  &  emperour  in  Roome  the  cite, 

To  senatours  he  gaf  ful  gret  frauwchise, 

Grauwted  comouws  many  gret  liberte;  680 

But  in  his  most  imperial  dignite. 

Of  froward  wil  lefft  al  good  policie. 

And  al  attonis  gaf  hym  to  ribaudie. 


to  which 
none  other  was 
comparable, 
with  its  ivory 
tables,  crystal 
pillars  orna- 
mented with 
precious 
stones,  and 

,,„     gold-tiled 

068     roof. 


All  his  inclina- 
tion turned  to 
sensuality.   He 
built  gardens 
and  artificial 
streams  in 
which  he  fished 
with  golden 
nets. 


672 


676 


His  clothes 
were  of  gold 
and  jewels, 
and  he 
would  never 
wear  them 
but  once. 


670.  Iust3  lustis  B. 

672.   conductes  R,  J. 

674.   is  misplaced  at  end  of  stanza,  hut  correction  indicated  R. 

678.  in]  in  the  R. 

679.  To]  t)e  H. 


794 


At  firit   virtu- 
out  and  liber- 
al, he  tuJJcnly 
turned  to 
ribaldry,  left 
the  company 
of  old  sena- 
tors, and 
harped  and 
tanK  amonK 
vagabonds  and 
openly   danced 
with  common 
women  at  the 
brothel. 

In  the  course 
of  lime  he  fell 
into  gluttony 
and  inconti- 
nence, for  one 
vice  leads  to 
another;  but 
idleness  was 
the  cause  of 
all. 

At  Ostia  he 
ordained    tents 
for  debauch- 
ery,  housing 
cooks  and 
taverners  at 
great  expense. 
Ladies  who 
took  part  in 
these  revels 
were  not  well 
spoken  of 
afterwards. 

It  is  also  said 
that  this  same 
Nero  violated 
the  priestesses 
of  Vesta,  who 
were  vowed 
to  chastity. 


One  of  them, 
Rubria,  he 
dragged  out  of 
the  temple  and 
put  in  a 
bordel-house  in 
spite  of  her 
being  a  nun. 


Men  shall 
never  read  any 
writing  of 
mine  about 
his  foul  and 
outrageous 
deeds  with 
Sporus  and 
Ompharus, 


The  Story  of  the  vicious  Tyrant  Nero         [bk.  vii 

Of  Grece  a;id  Egipt  yfith  dyuers  io[n]glo?/rs,  684 

And  among  vileyns  liymsilf[e]  disporting,* 

Lefte  the  presence  of  olde  scnatours 

And  among  ribaudis  he  wold  harp  &  sywge, 

Made  comedies  dishonesth  sownyng,  688 

At  the  bordel  dide  hy;;!silf  auau«ce 

Wtt/j  comoun  women  openli  to  daunce. 

Thus  be  processe,  to  al  vertu  contrarie, 

Be  gret  excesse  he  fill  in  glotonye,  692 

And  aftir  that  list  no  lenger  tarye,  — 

As  euery  vice  to  othir  doth  applie,  — 

Surfet  &  riot  brouht  in  lecherie; 

And  ground  of  al,  as  cheef[e]  porteresse,  696 

Texile  vertu  was  froward  idilnesse. 

Aboute  the  cite  callid  Hostience, 

Beside  Tibre  &  othir  fressh  ryuers 

Dide  ordeyne  bexcessifF  expence 

Tentis  for  riot,  kookis,  tauerneeris, 

And  al  the  niht  reuel  aboute  the  feeris. 

Ladies  komen,  that  wer  afForn  weel  namyd, 

Bi  suich  fals  riot  wer  aftirward  difFamed. 

The  same  Nero  be  fals  abusioun, 

It  is  reportid,  his*  stori  who  list  see, 

Bi  violence  from  ther  religioun, 

Suich  as  hadde  auowed  chastite  708 

And  wer  professid  to  virgynyte 

In  the  temple  of  Vesta  the  goddesse,  — 

Of  froward  lust  he  dide  hem  oppresse. 

Amongis  which  Rubria  was  oon:  712 

Maugre  hir  wil,  she  durste  [it]  nat  denye, 

From  the  temple  bilt  of  lym  &  ston 

Sacrid  to  Vesta,  myn  auctot^r  list  nat  lie, 

He  rente  hir  out  to  vse  his  lecherie;  716 

Natwit^standyng  she  was  religious, 

Made  hir  tabide  at  the  bordel-hous. 

Be  my  writyng  men  shal  neuer  reede, 

The  mateer  is  so  foul  &  outragous  720 

To  be  rehersed,  &  the  horrible  deede 

Which  Nero  vsid  whilom  on  Sporus 

And  on  another  callid  Ompharus: 

684.   loglers  P.       685.   disparting  B,  dispartynge  R. 

698.   Aboute]  Aboue  R.      706.   his]  the  B.      707.   ther]  the  R. 

723.  Ompharus]  Doriphorus  P. 


700 


704 


BK.  vii]  The  Story  of  the  vicious  Tyrant  Nero 


795 


Bothe  male  childre,  as  bookis  telle  can,  724 

Them  to  transfFoorme  to  liknesse  of  [wo]man. 

Somme  bookis  of  hym  determyne, 

Lik  a  ribaude  horrible  &  detestable, 

He  mysusid  his  moodir  Agripyne,  728 

And  lik  a  tirauwt  cruel  &  vengable,  — 

Which  to  remewbre  it  is  abhominable,  — 

He  made  hir  wombe  be  korue  upon  a  day 

To  seen  the  place  nyne  monethes  wher  he  lay.       732 

Of  disnaturel  hatful  cruelte. 

To  God  nor  vertu  hauyng  no  reward, 

And  of  the  vice  of  prodigalite 

He  was  accusid,  in  knihthod  a  coward,  736 

And  to  al  vertu  contrarie  &  froward,  — 

Of  whos  woodnesse  good  heed  whan  I  took, 

I  was  ashamed  to  sette  hym  in  this  book. 

He  hated  alle  that  wer  vertuous  740 

And  to  hem  hadde  specialli  envie; 

His  brethre,  his  wifF,  this  tiraunt  despitous. 

He  falsli  slouh  in  his  malencolie; 

His  maister  Senec,  auctours  specefie,  744 

Ay  whan  he  sauh  hym,  hauyng  a  maner  dreede, 

In  an  hot  bath  to  deth  he  made  hym  bleede. 

Cristis  feith[e]  first  he  gan  werreye,  [p.  352] 

Of  emperoMrs,  in  his  froward  entent;  748 

Petir  &  Poule  in  Roome  he  made  deie 

Vpon  a  day;  ther  legende  doth  assente. 

Half  the  cite  of  Roome,  I  fynde,  he  brente; 

And  senatowr[e]s  wol  nih  euerichon  752 

This  Nero  slouh;  spared  almost  neu^roon. 

To  Pollifagus,  a  wood  man  most  sauage,* 

Which  that  fedde  hym  most  with  flessh  of  man, 

Nero  took  men,  olde  &  yong  of  age  ,  756 

To  fynde  hym  vitaille  in  streetis  wher  he  cam. 

Cursid  at  his  eende,  cursid  whan  he  gan, 

Whan  he  did  ofFre  innocent^/  blood 

To  be  deuoured  of  hym  that  ran  so  wood.  760 

725.  woman]  man  H,  R,  R  3,  H  5,  a  man  J,  woman  P. 
749.  in]  &  H. 

752.  wol  nih]  volneth  R. 

753.  neuifroon]  noon  H,  R  3,  none  P. 

754.  This  stanza  is  transposed  with  the  next  in  P  and  MSS.  except  H. 
760.   ran]  was  H. 


and  some 
books  say  of 
him,  that  like 
a  detestable 
ribald,  he   had 
his  mother's 
womb  carved 
open  to  see 
where  he  had 
lain  for  nine 
months. 


He  was  ac- 
cused of  un- 
natural,  hate- 
ful cruelty,  a 
prodigal  and 
a  coward;  and 
when  I  took 
heed  of  his 
madness  I  felt 
ashamed  to 
put  him  in 
this  book. 

He  hated  all 
virtuous 
people, 
and  slew  his 
brother  and 
his  wife  and 
Seneca,  his 
master. 


The  first  em- 
peror to  perse- 
cute the 
Christians,  he 
martyred 
Peter  and 
Paul,  killed 
almost  all  the 
senators,  and 
burnt  up  the 
half  of  Rome. 


He  fed 
Polyphagus, 
a  savage 
madman, 
with  human 
flesh. 


796 


Hit  mules  were 
»hod  with 
tilvcr  for 
pride;    and 
after  he  burnt 
Rome  the 
people  chased 
him  from  his 
suburban 
palice 


to  a  deep 
marsh,  and 
there,  seeing 
himself 
trapped,  he 
pierced  his 
heart  with  a 
dagger.     A 
cursed  end! 


The  Death  of  Nero  the  Tyrant  [bk.  vii 

Made  his  mules  he  shod  with  sihier  shoonc 

Of  surqucdic,  whan  he  shold[e]  ride; 

The  cite  hrent.    Romeyns  aftir  soone 

Pursued  hym  upon  eueri  side;  764 

And  from  a  suharbe  wher  he  dide  abide, 

Tween  Salaria  &  Numcntana  riht, 

Ther  stant  a  path  whidir  he  took  his  fliht. 

Bi  a  deep  maris  as*  Nero  took  his  fliht,  768 

Whan  he  sauh  he  myht[e]  nat  asterte, — 

He  was  [so]  pursued  bi  a  Romeyn  kniht 

To  fynde  socour  he  myht[e]  nat  dyuerte,  — 

Rooff  hymsilfF  anon  [un]to  the  herte  772 

With  a  sharp  dagger,  a  cursid  eende,  loo! 

Of  the  fals  tiraunt  that  calHd  was  Nero. 


No  prince, 
ahould  take 
pleasure  in 
reading  the 
story  of  Nero; 
it  has  to  do 
only  with  mur- 
der, treason, 
adultery,  ex- 
cess, poison, 
riot,   gluttony, 
lechery,  ven- 
geance, and 
suicide. 

If  I  could.  I 
would  scratch 
his  name  out 
of  my  book. 
Let  no  one 
remember 
anything  more 
about  him  than 
this:    that 
every  tyrant 
ends  in  mis- 
fortune. 

What  I  say  of 
him  is  said 
only  in  reproof. 


Lenvoye.^ 

OFF  this  Nero  to  write[n]  a  Lenvoye, 
Nor  of  his  deedis  to  make  mencioun, 
To  r^ede  Jie  processe  no  prince  shold  haue  ioye. 
For  al  concludeth  on  moordre  and  on  tresouw, 
On  auoutrye,  excesse  &  poisoun. 
Riot,  glotonye,  lecherie,  vengauwce, 
Slauhtr<?  of  hywsilfF[e];  eendid  with  myschaunce. 

Yif  that  I  myhte,  I  wolde  race*  his  name 
Out  of  this  book,  that  no  man  sholde  reede 
His  vicious  lyf,  cheef  merour  of  difFame. 
Set  hym  aside;  let  no  wiht  take[n]  heede 
For  to  remewbre  so  many  a  cruel  deede, 
Sauf  onli  this,  to  thynken*  in  substaunce, 
How  eueri  tiraunt  eendith  with  mischaunce. 

Of  hym  I  caste  to  write  now*  no  more, 
And  what  I  seie  Is*  seid  but  in  repreefF 
Of  the  vices  that  he  wrouht  of  yore 
Duryng  his  empire,  concludyng  for  a  theefF. 
Al  tirannye  shal  eende  with  myscheefF, 
Record  on  Nero,  which  for  mysgou(?rnaunce. 
As  ye  haue  herd[e],  eendid  with  myschaunce. 

768.  as]  whan  B.       772.    unto]  even  to  H. 

782.  racen  B,  R,  J.  ,       t> 

783.  reede]  it  reede  R,  J,  P.       787-   thynken]  maken  B. 
789.  to  write  now]  now  to  write  B.       790.   is]  I  B. 

794.   on]  of  R. 

^  "In  stede  off  a  Lenuoie,"  R. 


776 


780 


784 


788 


792 


BK.    VIl] 


Eleazar  the  Jew.     Galba 


797 


[How  Eleazerus  a  lewe  bom  /  for  extorcioun  and 
robbery  /  was  brouht  in  prisoun  and  there 
ended.]  ^ 

AFFTIR  Nero  caw  Eleazarus,  796 

A  lew  of  berthe,  a  prince  of  robberie, 
An  extursioneer  cruel  &  despitous; 
For  his  outrages  doon  in  that  partie, 
To  redresse  his  hatful  tiranwye,  800 

A  myhti  pretowr  sent  fro  Roome  douw, 
Callid  Phelix,  into  that  regeoun. 

Be  force  of  Phelix  take  he  was  &  bouwde, 

Maugre  his  myht[e],  onto  Roome  sent,  804 

Strowgli  fetrid  with  massif  cheynis  rouwde, 

Suffred  in  prisoun  many  gret  tormewt. 

At  the  laste,  this  was  his  iugement, 

Ther  tabide  because  he  was  a  theefF;  808 

For  euermore  eendid  in  myscheefF. 


Eleazar,  a  Jew, 
came  after 
Nero.    He  was 
a  prince  of 
robbery  and  a 
cruel  extor- 
tioner, but 
Felix  came 
down  from 
Rome 


and  captured 
him  and  sent 
him  to  prison 
for  life. 


[How  the  hede  of  Galba  was  smjiien  of  filled  full 
of  gold  /  and  offred  atte  the  Sepulcre  of  Nero.]  ^ 

^  Tofor  Bochflj  next  cam  Galba  doun, 

Which  in  Spayne  did  many  knihtli  deede. 

AfFtir  the  deth  rehersed  of  Nerown 

He  stode  in  hope,  this  Galba,  as  I  reede, 

In  thempire  iustli  to  succeede, 

Parcel  for  knihthod,  he  hath  hyw  so  weel  born. 

And*  for  gr^t  manage  which  he  had  had  beforn. 


812 


Galba,  who 
had  done 
many  a 
knightly  deed 
in  Spain, 
usurped  the 
throne  after 
Nero. 


816 


I  fynde  in  Boch^j-  rehersed  in  sentence. 
He  was  disclauwdrid  of  hatful  vices  thre; 
He  was  cruel,  cowtrarye  to  clemence, 
Streiht  in  keepyng,  geyn  liberalite, 
Vengable  of  herte,  geyn  mercy  &  pite,  — 
A  thyng  nat  sittyng  onto  cheualrie,  — 
Of  custom  youe  to  slouthe  &  slogardie. 


He  was 
a  cruel, 
avaricious,  re- 
vengeful and 
lazy  man. 


820 


798.  extorsioner  R,  R  3,  extorcioner  H,  H  5,  P. 
802,  3.   Felix  R,  H,  J,  R  3,  H  5,  P. 
809.   For  euermore]  For  eiier  for  tuer  more  R. 
816.  And]  As  B,  H. 


^  MS.  J.  leaf  144  verso. 


^  MS.  J.  leaf  144  verso. 


798 


Piso,  Otho  and  Vitellius 


[bk.  VII 


He  claimed 
title  to  the 
empire  by  his 
adopted  son, 
but  not  lonff 
afterwards  his 
head  was 
smitten  ofT  by 
Otho 


and  filled  with 
gold  by  Patra- 
bolus  and 
offered  up  to 
the  gods  of 
the  lower 
regions  at 
the  sepulchre 
of  Nero. 


After  this 
sacrifice,  Piso 
came  to  make 
his  complaint 
to  Bochas. 
Surnamed 
Licinian  and 
adopted  son  of 
Galba,  he  was 
slain  by  Otho. 


The  empire 
was  then  di- 
vided into 
three  and  gov- 
erned by  Otho, 
Vitellius,  and 
Vespasian. 


Otho,  whose 
family  name 
was  Silvius, 
usurped  the 
empire  by 
murder  and 
outrage,  and 
began  a  war 
against  Vitel- 
lius. 


To  occuple  themplre  he  began,  824 

Aniong[es]  Romey^s  took  pocessioun, 

Cleyiiiyng  a  title  bi  oon  Licynyan 

That  was  his  sone  bi  adopcioun. 

But  [anone]  aftir  for  his  presuwzpcioun,  828 

Oon  calHd  Oththo,  a  ful  nia?!li  kniht, 

Smet  of  his  hed,  whcr  it  wer  wrong  or  riht. 

This  said[e]  Galba,  myn  aucto;/r  writeth  thus,  [p.  353] 

From  his  empire  vnwarH  puUid  doun,  832 

Hadde  an  emny  calHd  Patrabolus, 

The  hed  of  Galba  took  in  pocessioun, 

Filde  it  -with  golde,  made  an  oblaciouw 

At  the  sepulchre  of  Nero  therwithal  836 

To  alle  the  goddis  &  goddessis  infernal. 

[How  Ottho  and  Vitellius  /  for  glotony  lechery 
ribaudrie  and  cnielte  /  ended  in  mischeef.^  ^ 

^  And  after  that  this  ofFryng  was  ful  do. 

As  ye  haue  herd[e],  to  lohn  Bochas  than 

To  make  his  cowpleynt  in  ordre  caw  Piso,  840 

AfFor  surnamyd  iustli  Licynyan, 

Sone  adoptifF,  to  telle  as  I  began, 

Of  saide  Galba,  cleymywg  to  succeede, 

Slayn  anon  aftir  bi  Ottho,  as  I  reede.  844 

Than  was  themp[i]re  partid  into  thre: 

Ottho  took  Roome  vnto  his  partye; 

And  Vitellius  to  regne  in  the  contre, 

Ouer  the  boundis  of  al  Germanye;  848 

And  Vespasian  regned  in  Surrye. 

But  first  this  Ottho,  surnamyd  Siluyus, 

Cam  to  compleyne,  cruel  and  despitous. 

Of  al  thempire  this  same*  Siluyus  852 

Be  slauhtre,  rauyne  &  extorsioun, 

Bi  moordre,  deth  &  deedis  outraious 

With  myhti  bond  took  ther  pocessioun. 

And  ther  began  a  gret  deuysioun,  856 

829.  The  name  Otho  is  spelled  variously  with  c's  and  t's  in  the 
MSS.;  it  is  probable  however  that  the  c's  are  usually  meant  for 
t's  (Occho  R.  R  3,  Octho  J,  Ochcho  B,  H,  Otho  P). 

833.  Hadde]  And  R  — Patrobolus  R,  H,  J,  R  3,  H  5,  Patro- 
bius  P. 

836.   sepulture  H.         841.   lycyvian  H.         845.   into]  in  R. 

852.   this  same]  surnamyd  B. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  144  verso. 


BK.  VIl] 


Otho  and  Vitellius  the  Emperors 


799 


Which  was  occasioun  of  gret  sorwe  &  wo, 
Atween  Vitellius  and  this  seid  Ottho. 

It  is  rehersed,  that  in  Germanye 

In  sondri  placis  thei  hadde  batailes  thre,  860 

In  the  which  Ottho  wzt^  his  partie 

Venquisshed  the  feeld  &  maad  his  foon  to  flee. 

But  thoruh  Fortunys  mutabilite, 

The  fourte  tyme,  pleywli  this  the  caas,  864 

Maugr^  his  myht  discounfited  ]^er  he  was. 

Tofor  Bedrye,  a  myhti  strong  cite 

Of  Germanye  was  this  disconfiture. 

Aftir  which  of  froward  cruelte  868 

The  said[e]  Ottho,  seeyng  his  auenture. 

With  wo  supprised  miht[e]  nat  endure 

Of  his  coMstreynt  thymportable  peyne; 

Took  a  sharp  suerd  &  roof  his  herte  on  tweyne.     872 

Vitellius  hauyng  the  victorye. 

With  his  poweer,  as  maad  is  mewcioun. 

Of  surquedie  &  fals[e]  veynglorie. 

Cam  with  his  host[e]  into  Roome  toun.  876 

But  Bochas  heer  maketh  a  descripciouw, 

Rehersyng  shortli  his  berthe  &  eek  his  lyne. 

And  how  that  he  of  blood  was  Saturnyne. 

This  to  seyne,  Saturnyus,  kyng  of  Crete,  880 

Chacid  bi  lubiter  out  of  his  regiouw,  — 

And  lanus  hadde  in  Itaille  take  his  seete 

Vpon  a  mount  callid  laniculun, 

Wher  now  of  Roome  is  bilt  the  large  touw,  —        884 

lanus  resceyuyng  of  liberalite 

Whaw  Saturn  fledde,  into  his  cite. 

Toforn  the  komyng  of  Satvrn,  this  no  faille, 

Rud  &  boistous,  &  bestial  of  resoun  888 

Was  al  the  peeple  abidyng  in  Itaille; 

Lond  was  non  sowe  nor  turnid  up-so-dou«. 

Nor  marchaundise  vsid  in  no  toxxn 

Til  Saturn  tauhte  the  man^r  of  lyuyng,  892 

Of  tilthe  &  labour  to  lanus  that  was  kyng. 


He  won  three 
battles  in  Ger- 
many, but  was 
defeated  in  a 
fourth  battle, 


and,  overcome 
with  despair, 
killed  himself. 


Vitellius  came 
vaingloriously 
into  Rome 
with  his  army; 


and  Bochas 
says  that  he 
was  descended 
from  Saturn, 
whom  Jupiter 
expelled  from 
his  kingdom. 
Saturn  was  re- 
ceived in  Rome 
by  Janus, 


and  before  his 
coming  the 
people  were 
rude  and  un- 
lettered  and 
did  not  even 
know  how  to 
till  the  soil  or 
chaffer  in 
merchandise. 


869.  The]  This  R. 

880.   Saturnus  P. 

893.   &  labour]  of  londe  H  —  to  lanus]  om.  R. 


8oo  The  Ancestry  of  Vitellius  [bk.  vii 

beasw'unt'ii'"    AfFom  wlios  couiyiip;,  tofor  as  I  you  told,  ! 

Saturn  taught    Craft  was  iioii  vsid  be  no  creatine, 

Janus  the  art  r  i  • 

of  living.  Nor  no  beeldyng  of  housis  newe  [njor  old,  896 

But  lyued  as  beestis  the[r]  lyflode  to  recure, 
Lik  as  thei  warn  Ilernid  of  Nature. 
Thei  koude  tho  dales  make  no  cloth  nor  shape, 
Oft*  frosti  vvedris  the  greuous  cold  tescape.  900  ; 

loVmak""'^       Thei  wer  nat  besi  be  costful  apparaille 
cloth,  and  were  Of  sondrv  mctls  and  confecciouns, 

very  poor 

cooks,  and  had   Off  dyuets  dryukcs  &  manyfold  vitaillc 

no  markets  in      _,      ,  .  ,  -         .  ] 

their  towns.       1  o  be  cotious  to  thet  retccciouns.  904                  ; 

Marketis  wer  none  in  cites  nor  in  touns;  J 

No  man  with  othir  bouhte  nouther  solde  i 

Til  Saturn  cam  &  them  the  man^r  tolde.  | 

Sa"turn'Tad       ^ud  whan  he  hadde  tauhte  them  \>e  maneer^         908  ' 

taught  them      \^^  get  an  ordre  of  ther  gouernauwce,  1 

how  to  be  1  1  I   •        1       I  1  ' 

civilized,  these  The  symple  peeple,  as  bookis  doth  vs  lere, 

simple  folk  t  •    i  /^      i     i-  i        i  i  ; 

worshipped        Lich  as  to  (jod  didc  ther  attendauwce,  { 

m'ightiest  of      With  certcyn  riht^j-  to  doon  \)er  obs^ruaunce,  912                  ] 

their  gods.        Worsheped  hym,  &  aftir  dide  hyw  calle  | 

Saturn,  most  myhti  of  ther  goddis  all.  ', 

&V:fo-    [Aftyr  this  Saturne  was  n,ade  a  pe-degre,  j 

Saturn  and  so   "fo  sett  an  ordrc  conveied  from  his  lyne  916 

was  Lavinia,         t-v  i  i  t  i        i' 

his  daughter,     Desccndyng  douw,  the  maneer  who  list  see,  1 

ancestress  <-!->  t  i  r  i  t  "i 

of  Vitellius.        1  o  oon  Latynus  and  so  roorth  to  Lavyne,  j 

Which  was  his  douhtir,  as  poetis  determyne.  j 

Thus  bi  discent  from*  Saturne  and  Funus,  920                  ' 
Born  off  ther  bloode  cam  Vitellius,] 

Sigh^t'of  the    The  firste  kniht  bor[e]n  of  that  lynage.  [p.  354] 

lineage  «-as       Bccause  hc  was  manli  &  riht  famous, 

Vitellius  Pub-       TT      1  1       • 

lius;  and  his      Hadde  m  armys  prowesse  &  gret  corage,  924                  , 

vuemus^Lucius,  He  callid  was  Vitill[i]us  Publius; 

the%mpero°.     And  of  hym  caw  Vitell[i]us  Lucius,  i 

Fadir  to  hym,  myw  auctoz<r  doth  expresse,  j 

Of  whom  that  I  haue  gunwe  this  processe.  928                  j 


900.  OfF]  The  B. 

903.  OfF]  to  H. 

910.  The]  Thei  R,  Ther  J  —  doth]  don  R,  J. 

914.  of]  to  H. 

915.  This  stanza  is  supplied  from  R. 
920.  from]  to  R. 


BK.   VIl] 


The  vicious  Life  of  Vitellius 


8oi 


DYUERS  stories  r^membre  &  pleywli  tell, 
Dvryng  his  youthe  &  stood  at  liberte, 
How  J)is  forseid,  that  callid  was  Vitell, 
Was  the  most  vicious  that  owher  myhte  be,  932 

Youe  to  ribaudie  &  al  dishoneste, 
Because  of  which  chauwgid  was  his  name, 
Callid  Spyntoire,  a  name  of  gret  difFame. 

I  fynde  that  he  was  an  hazardour,  936 

In  al  his  werkis  passyng  riotous. 

For  his  surfetis  gret  wzt^  the  emperowr 

That  whilom  was  callid  Claudius. 

And  for  his  deedis  &  maneeres  outraious,  940 

For  his  gret  wast  and  prodigalite 

Of  gret  dispence  he  fill  in  pouerte. 

Among  his  riotis  [&]  surfetis  mo  thaw  oon 

Which  he  dide  in  contres  heer  &  ther,  944 

I  fynde  that  he  for  neede  solde  a  ston 

Which  his  mooder  bar  whilom*  at  hir  ere. 

For  be  old  tyme  was  vsid,  who  list  lere. 

Women  that  wern  that  tyme  of  hih  degr<f  948 

Bar  at  ther  eris  stonis  &  perre. 

And  bi  the  sellyng  of  that  riche  ston, 

For  which  that  he  resceyued  gret  tresowr. 

Be  sotil  werkyng  &  sleihtis  mo  thaw  oon  952 

He  gat  hym  freendis  &  was  maad  emperowr. 

And  therwithal  he  dide  eek  his  labour 

To  resceyue  another  dignite. 

To  be  cheef  bisshop  in*  Roome  the  cite.  956 

And  in  short  tyme  this  Vitellius 

Of  thempire  took  on  hym  al  thestat, 

The  suerd  resseyued  of  Cesar  lulius, 

Vsed  a  garnement  that  was  purpurat,  960 

Dempte  of  hymsilfF  he  was  most  fortunat, 

Natwit/jstowdiwg  mor  boldli  ^pat  tyme  atte  leste* 

Of  Aliensois  holden  was  the  feeste. 


It  is  said  that 
this  Vitell  was 
one  of  the 
most  vicious 
youths  that 
ever  lived, 
given  to  all 
dishonesty  and 
called  Spintor, 
an  infamous 
name. 


He  was  a 
gambler  and  a 
prodigal,  and 
fell  into  pover- 
ty because  of 
his  excesses. 


Finally  he  sold 
a  stone  his 
mother  had 
worn  at  her 
ear  (for  in 
olden  times 
women  of  high 
station  wore 
jewelry  in  their 
ears), 


and  through 
the  proceeds 
and  his 

cunning  he  got 
himself  friends 
and  was  made 
emperor.  He 
also  wanted  to 
be  chief 
bishop. 


He  received 
the  sword  of 
Julius  Caesar, 
wore  purple, 
and  considered 
himself  most 
fortunate. 


941.   and]  of  H. 

946.   his]  is  R  —  whilom  bar  B,  barif  som^tyme  H,  bar  some  tym 

R3. 
956.   in]  of  B. 
958.   al]  om.  R. 
962.   mor  boldli  \)at  tyme  atte  leste]  J)at  tyme  mor  boldli  at  the 

leste  B  —  t)(2t  tyme]  om.  H. 


8o2  The  vicious  Life  of  Vitellius  [bk.  vii 

The  feast  of      Allcnsois  was  a  solempnite  964 

Aliensois  was        •'»■'-  i  1  J     •  1 J 

then beiiiK held,  Amoncfcsl  Romev/js  kept  be  daies  olde, 

during  which        ,        ,,  ,  1       1     ^l  l« 

no  one  was       In  t  reiissM  \wy H  Tiwctouv  recoicleth  thus,  parae, — 

"nT'v'^r'luou'l''    And  in  that  tyme  of  custiim  no  man  sholde, 

labour;  -^^^  ^^  statut  bouMcle  was  nor  holde  968 

To  do  no  maner  occupaclou/t 

That  touched  vcrtu  or  rchgloun. 

and  bound  up   Ourvwe  thls  feeste  he  sholde  haue  his  axyng, 

with  It  was  *  -^     "...         1  • 

custoni  of         Bi  a  custum  vsid  in  that  cite.  972 

granting   the  ..,....•  o     I 

requests  of  all   And  Vitclhus,  as  emperour  &  kyng,  ' 

^"ue^iiius  asked   Axed  that  tyme  another  dignite,  ; 

^nd'^no  one'-     To  bc  checf  bisshop  &  hauc  auctoritc  I 

dared  say  no.    Qf  ^^^^  estat,  With  powcct  hool  &  plcynj  976 

No  man  so  hardi  to  replie  ther  ageyn. 

He  set  all        Prom  al  vertu  Vitclli  dide  varye, 

wisdom  and  i        •     i  o  *  i 

kno»_iedge  at     Set  at  nouht  al  wisdaw  &  science, 

nought  and  left     __,         ,  ,  o  ■ 

knighthood       Thouhte  onto  hym  was  nat  necessarye  900               i 

rnd''gTvl''h?m-   Ku?myng,  knihthod,  manhod  nor  prouidence;  \ 

to  id^e^nelS   Gaf  hym  onli  to  slouhthe  &  nedigence,  | 

gluttony.          Jq  glotonye,  folwyng  his  desir[e]s,  j 

Wach  al  niht  with  drynk  &  reresoper[e]s.  984               | 

bisho^  'he'offi-  Beyng  a  bisshop  of  ther  paynym  lawe,  I 

dated  in  the  LJ^  Romeyw  rihtis  doyng  \>er  seruise  : 

S'he  would  Tofor  the  goddes;  he  wolde  hymsilf  wzt^drawe  '_ 

censer'and  call  And  cast  aside  censct  and  sacrefise                            988  ' 

to'the'litar"''  And  calk  a  boy  in  ful  vngoodH  wise,  j 

him  toTing'^  A  kichen  boy,  tofor  the  hih  aulteer,      _  , 

him  his  dinner,  p^^^  \iym.  comauwdid  to  brynge  hyw  his  dyneer!  1 

Always  Bevnc  arrayed  in  his  pontificall,  992  '• 

gluttonous  and  •  i       r    i  •  i 

drunk,  por  the  maner  void  ot  deuocioun, 

Lik  a  ribaude,  or  Ilk  a  wood  menstrall  ■ 

Euer  dronclew,  &  out  of  al  sesoun,  1 

Gorge  upon  gorge,  this  excessif  glotoun,  996  ] 

Moste  idropik,  drank  ofte  ageyn[es]  lust:  i 

The  mor  he  drank  the  mor  he  was  a-thrust.  ] 

970.   vertu  oi]  vnto  R,  onto  J. 

978.  Vitell  J,  P.  I 

979,  at  nouht]  anouht  R.  I 
994.   mynstrall  H,  R. 

996.   upon]]  vp  R.  , 


BK.  VIl] 


The  vicious  Life  of  Fitellius 


803 


This  was  a  bisshop  sacrid  for*  Sathan, 

And  an  emperoMr  crownid  with  myschauwce: 

Mor  lik  in  poorte  a  beeste  thaw  a  man. 

Vsed  al  his  poweer  in  slauhtr^  &  in  vengau^zce; 

To  sheede  blood  was  set  al  his  plesaunce, 

Takyng  non  heed  nouther  of  wrowg  nor  riht; 

And  thus  he  wex  hatful  to  eueri  wiht. 


1000 


1004 


[P-  355] 


His  soudiours  forsook  hym  nih  echon, 

In  al  parties  bi  hym  wher  thei  wer  sent; 

Thoruh  al  the  contres  of  Septemptrion 

And  in  al  Surrye  toward  thorient, 

Of  oon  accord  &  alle  of  oon  assent 

Echon  forsook  hyw;  with  hym  bood*  nat  a  maw, 

And  becam  seruauwt^fj-  to  Vespasian. 


1008 


1012 


Vitellius  sauh  it  wolde  be  non  othir, 

And  he  for-feeble  [of]  dronknesse  &  outrage,  — 

And  sauh  the  poweer  gan  faillen  of  his  brothir, 

Wha«  he  had  sett*  and  signed  the  viage  1016 

Ageyn  Vespasian  to  holden  his  passage: 

But  al  for  nouht,  bakward  wente  his  partie. 

Stood  disespeired  of  euery  remedie. 

Thus  Vitellius  vnhappi  to  the  werris,  1020 

Lik  a  fordronke  vnhappi  gret  glotouw,* 
Whos  booste  afForn[e]  rauht  up  to  the  sterris, 
Now  al  his  pride  in  myscheef  is  come  douw, 
Fayn  for  taccorde  to  this  conuenciouw:  1024 

For  litil  tresour,  which  men  sholde  hym  assigne. 
To  Vespasian  thempire  to  resigne. 

This  was  his  promys,  but  he  heeld  it  nouht: 

What  he  saide,  his  woord  was  neuer  stable;  1028 

Certeyw  flatereres  chauwgid  hadde  his  thouht, 

And  certeyw  comouws,  that  euer  be  chauwgable, 

GafFhyw  counsail,  saide  hymsilf  was  hable 

To  gouerne  thestat  imperial,  1032 

And  non  so  hable  for  to  reknen  al. 


he  was  a  bishop 
sacred  to 
Satan,  more 
like  a  beast 
than  a  man. 
As  his  pleasure 
lay  most  in 
shedding  blood 
without  heed 
to  right  and 
wrong,  he  was 
hated  by  all 


His  soldiers 
deserted  him 
and  entered 
the  service  of 
Vespasian. 


Made  weak  by 
drink  and  ex- 
cess, and  seeing 
that  the  ex- 
pedition he  had 
sent  against 
Vespasian  had 
failed,  he  de- 
spaired,— 


a  great  un- 
happy 
drunken 
glutton,  and 
was  glad  to 
resign  his  im- 
perial dignity 
for  a  small 
compensation. 


But  when  flat- 
terers told  him 
that  he 
was  best  able 
to  govern 
Rome,  he 
broke  his 
promise 


999.  for]  of  B. 

101 1,  boode  nat  v^ith  hym  H  —  abood  B. 

1016.  sett]  sent  B,  R,  J,  R  3,  H  5,  P.       1019.   dispeired  R. 
1021.]   Lik  afForn  dronke  vnhappi  stronge  glotoure  B. 

1024.  this]  his  R. 

1027.  his]  my  H. 

1030.  that]  lie  H. 


804 


The  vicious  Life  of  Vitellius 


[bk.  VII 


to  Rome.  After 
that  he  burnt 
down  the 
Capitol  and 
soon  lost  the 
favour  of  the 
Romans. 


Sew  «l^r"'out*of   F'fst  of  Almaync  he  sent  out  soudiours, 
presumption,     ^pj  pf  presu7/;pciou7i  a  newe  wcrr^  he  can, 

and  sent  the  i  i  i  i  • 

head  of  Fabius,  Thouhtc  that  hc  was  amo«c:  othir  werreyowrs       1036 

Vespasian  s  i  t    i  i  *   r  l  \T 

brother,  who     Hablc  to*  hlite  ageyn  Vaspasian. 
kSied,**"  And  of  auenture  it  befill  so  than, 

In  thes  werris  Vespasyanis  brothir* 

I-slay[e]/i  was;   it  wolde  be  non  othir.  1040 

This  froward  man  callid  VitelHus, 

Vngracious  euere  fouwde  in  his  entente, 

Smet  of  the  hed  of  seide  Fabius, 

Brothir  of  Vespasian,  &  it  to  Roome  sente,  1044 

And  aftir  that  the  Capitoile  [he]  brente. 

But  suyng  on,  wtt^ynne  a  htil  space 

Among  Romeyns  he  loste  bothe  hap  &  grace. 

Of  his  riot  what  sholde  I  mor  entrete?  —  1048 

For  except  riot  of  hyw  nothyng  I  reede. 

His  cook,  his  pastleer,  folk  that  wer  most  meete 

To  serue  his  lust  &  appetit<fj-  to  feede, 

Forsook  hym  nat,  but  went  wzt/?  hyw  in  deede     1052 

Toward  Champayne  riht  as  any  lyne 

Vp  to  an  hill[e]  callid  Auentyne. 

Stondyng  in  hope,  but  that  was  but  in  veyw, 

Of  Vespasian  the  fauour  to  recure,  1056 

Euene  to  Roome  retournid  is  ageyn, 

The  paleis  entrid;  &  ther  hywsilfF  tassure, 

Hauyng  wit^  hym  non  othir  creature. 

The  gatis  shet,  which  was  to  hym  gret  shame;      1060 

Take  at  the  laste,  forsook  his  owne  name. 

naked'before^"  Halff  naked  he  was  &  haluendel  Iclad, 
Al  allone  lik  as  he  was  founde. 

So  in  the  cite  affor  the  peeple  lad;  1064 

Bothe  his  hondis  behynde  his  bak  wer  bounde 
Wt'tZ?  myhti  cheynys  &  with  ropis  rounde. 
Lik  a  wood  man  of  look  &  of  visage. 
The  peeple  to  hym  hauyng  this  langage:  1068 


Why  should  I 
write  more  of 
his  debauch- 
ery? 

His  cook  and 
pastryman  did 
not  forsake 
him;    they 
followed  him 
to  the  Cam- 
pania. 


Later  on  he 
returned  to 
Rome,  hoping 
to  ingratiate 
himself  with 
Vespasian. 
Seized  at  last 
in  his  palace, 
he  denied  his 
own  name. 


the  populace, 
his  hands 
bound  behind 
his  back,  look- 
ing like  a 
madman. 


1035- 
1036. 

1037. 
1039, 
1043. 
1044. 
105 1. 


he]  om.  H. 

werreyowrs]  Soudiours  H. 
to]  for  to  B,  R,  P,  H  5,  R  3,  H. 
40.   The  second  halves  of  these  lines  are  transposed  B. 
the  said  R. 
of]  vnto  R. 
lustis  H. 


BK.   VIl] 


The  shameful  End  of  Vitellius 


80s 


"  O  thou  olde  lecherous  foul  glotouw, 

A  verray  coward,  to  al  vertu  contrarie. 

Cruel,  vengable  of  thi  condiciouw, 

To  euery  goodman  cruel  aduersarye,  1072 

To  all  cursid  benigne  &  debonaire, 

Roote  of  al  surfetis,  hauyng  ay  delit 

To  sewe  &  folwe  thi  lecherous  appetit!" 

With  such  rebukis  &  castyng  of  ordure,  1076 

With  donge  &  clay  was  blottid  his  visage. 

In  the  presence  of  many  a  creature, 

With  cordes  drawen  he  was  be  gr^t  outrage 

Vnto  a  place  callid  in  ther  langage,  1080 

Ther  most  cheeff  rakkes  or  galwes  of  l)e  toun, 

Wher  is  of  custum  doon  execucioun. 

Sumwe  remewbre  he  slay[e]w  was  in  haste, 

V^ith  sharp[e]  suerdis  dismembred  on  l)e  ground,  1084 

His  careyn  aftir  into  Tibre  cast 

With  a  large  hook  of  iren,  sharp  &  round, — 

No  mor  reuerencid  thaw  was  a  stywkyng  hound. 

Remewbrywg  heer  myn  auctowr  seith  also  1088 

Of  this  Vitellius,  Galba  &  Ottho, 


The  people 
called  him  a 
coward,  an 
enemy  of  every 
good  man,  a 
lecherous  foul 
old  glutton. 


and  threw 
dung  in  his 
face.    He  was 
then  drawn 
with  cords  to 
the  gallows. 


AfFermyng  thus,  as  for  ther  partie,  [p.  356] 

Thei  be  namyd  among  the  emperours, 

For  a  tyme  thestat  did  occupie;  1092 

And  first  this  Galba,  be  record  of  auctOMrs, 

Deide  at  myscheefF,  void  of  al  socowrs, 

Eihte  monethes  regned  as  lord  &  sire. 

And  aftir  that  cast  out  of  his  empire.  1096 

The  thridde  moneth,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 

Ottho  deide,  proude  &  ambicious. 

And,  as  I  fynde,  the  domynaciouw 

Laste  eihte  monethes  of  Vitellius.  iioo 

And  for  thei  wern  proud  ribaudes*  lecherous, 

Cruel,  vengable,  born  of  cursid  lyne, 

In  wrechchidnesse  echon  thei  dide  fyne. 


and  des- 
patched with 
swords. 
They  fastened 
his  carrion  to 
an  iron  hook 
and  threw  it 
into  the 
Tiber; 

and  no  more 
respect  was 
paid  to  him 
than  to  a 
stinking 
hound. 

Thus,  to 
recapitulate: 
Galba  died 
in  misfor- 
tune, cast   out 
of  his  empire 
after  a  reign  of 
eight  months; 


Otho  died  in 
the  third 
month  of  his 
reign;    and 
Vitellius 
reigned  eight 
months. 
As  they  were 
all  proud 
dissolute 
ribalds,  they 
ended  in 
misery. 


1074. 
1078. 
1087. 
1089. 
IIOI. 


ay3  evir  H. 


om.  R,  H. 
om.  H. 


Galba]  of  Galba  R. 

ribaudes]  ribaudi  B,  P,  R,  ribaudie  J  —  &  lecherous  H. 


8o6  Bochas  on  the  Vice  of  Gluttony  [bk.  vii 


Bochas  dampnyth  l)e  Vice  of  Glotonye.^ 

rh°c'''K"ar''"'^    TTEER  lohn  BochrtJ  seyng  the  gr^t  offense       1104 
iniquity  of  this    \_  X  Of  tilis  foiscid  froward  cowpanye, 

froward  com-       r,-.        ,     ,   .  (■  ,.,,.  i         J     ' 

pany.  took  up    1  ook  liis  pciine  of  entecF  dilligence, 

conJemn  the     And  ill  liis  studie  ga?i  hynisilff  applie 

gluttony.  To  dampne  the  vice  of  hatful  glotonye,  iio8 

Fro  which[e]  synne,  record[e]  of  Adam, 

Al  our  myscheeuys  &  sorowis  caw. 

^os°"fr^m°ir    ^^  ^^^  outrage  of  disobeissau«ce, 

as  witness        Q^p  said[e]  fadir  beyng  in  paradis,  1112 

Adam,  wlio  m,-^  ,  i 

his  folly  and     1  ween  hym  and  vertu  ther  roos  a  gr^-t  distaunce, 

conceit  allowed      -^,         , .  i     i  i  • 

himself  to  be     Cleetli  conceyued,  he  that  was  so  wis, 
serpent'     ^ "   Aboue  creatutcs  be  resoun  bar  the  pris. 

Til  [he]  of  foli  wrongli  gaff  assent  1116 

To  be  gouernid  bi  a  fals  serpent. 

l^rtu'es"forsook    ^'^  innat  v^frtues  did  hyw  anon  forsake 
him  and  re-      Por  his  assentyjzg,  &  did  in  hast  retourne 

turned  to  i  i  i        •     r  i  i 

heaven,  and      Ageyn  to  heuene,  whan  the  infernal  snake  1120 

lor  this  we  tj  r  i-i         •; 

have  great        In  stedc  ot  vcttu  did  wit^  man  soiowrne. 

reason  to  t-i  i   •    •  ■  c 

mourn.  T  or  which  we  han  gr(?t  mateer  tor  to  mowrne, 

Sith  that  we  been  difFfourmyd  in  certeyn, 
Be  vicious  lyuyng  of  vertu  maad  bareyn.  1124 

be^camTdomi-    ^^^  ^hus  Cam  in  the  domynacioun 
us^  w'oefuf '""^   ^^  ^'^^^^  alle,  &  heeld  a  gret  bataille, 
";r«<:hes,  when  The  Tetcnv  Sent  from  thynfernal  dongoun, 
the  four  vir-      Vs  woful  wrcchchis  in  erthe  for  tassaille,  1128 

Strechchyng  ther  poweer,  &  proudli  gan  pr^uaille 
Thoruh  al  the  world[e]  &  pocessioun  took, 
For  our  demerites  whan  vertues  vs  forsook. 

Temper^ance,      Thes  said[e]  vertucs  comprised  in  the  noumbre      1132 
fnd'^Fwtitude.  Of  fourc  reknid :   Prudence,  Attemperaunce, 
Of*  vicious  lyfFtadawed  vs  fro  the  slornbre, 
Rihtwisnesse  taue  holde  the  ballaunce, 
And  Fortitude  of  ther  alliaunce;  1136 

Whan  thei  forsake  mankynde  to  gou^rne, 
Than  of  al  vertu  was  clipsed»the  lant^rne. 


1 1 14.   he  that]  \>ax.  he  H.       11 15.   be  resoun]  om.  R. 
1 125.   thus]  om.  H.  , 

1 134.  Of]  Fro  B,  J,  H  s,  R  3,  From  R,  P. 

1  The  heading  is  as  follows  in  MS.  J.  leaf  146  recto:   "Here 
Bochas  ageyne  Glotonye  compleyneth  seieng  as  it  folowith." 


BK.  vii3  A  Description  of  The  Golden  World 


807 


Thus  thoruh  dirknesse  vices  wer  made  bold, 

The  multitude  almost  innumerable.  1140 

Amonges  all  reknid  of  newe  or  old, 

Ther  be  foure  pereilous  &  reprouvable: 

Slouthe,  Lecherye,  &  most  abhowiwable, 

Fals  Auarice  bi  a  gredi  desir,  1144 

WftZ?  Glotonye,  cheef  kyndeler  of  ther  fyr. 

Nature  in  soth  with  litil  is  content; 

And  as  myn  auctowr  abidith  heer  a  while. 

And  to  remembre  was  sumwhat  dilligent  1148 

To  write,  whaw  Saturn  regned  in  l^e  ile 

Callid  Crete,  the  prophetesse  Cibile, 

In  hir  tyme,  bi  gret  auctorite, 

The  world  deuyded  prudentli  in  thre.  1152 


The  four  peril- 
ous vices  are 
Sloth,  Lechery, 
Avarice,  and 
Gluttony, 
chief  kindler 
of  their  fire. 


Nature  is  con- 
tent with  little; 
and  my  author 
stops  here  to 
write  about  the 
Golden  World, 
when  Saturn 
reigned  in 
Crete. 


[A  Chapitle  descryu3mg  the  golden  worlde,  that  is 
to  say  whan  attemperaunce  had  hooly  the 
gouemaunce.3  ^ 

THE  olde  world,  whan  Saturn  was  first  kywg, 
Regnywg  in  Crete  in  his  roial  estat, 
Noe,  Abraham  be  vertuous  lyuyng 
Caused  erthli  folk  to  be  most  fortunat,  1156 

The  world  tho  daies  callid  Aureat; 
For  sobirnesse  and  attemperaunce 
Hadde  in  that  world  hooli  the  gouernaunce. 

Ther  was  that  tyme  no  wrong  nor  violence,  1160 

Envie  exiled  from  eueri  creature, 

Dissolucioun  &  dronken  insolence, 

Ribaudie  &  al  swich  foul*  ordure, 

Froward  surfetis,  contrarye  to  nature,  1164 

Ibanshed  wern,  because  attemperaunce 

Hadde  in  that  world  hooli  the  goU(?rnaunce. 

Youthe  was  bridled  vndir  disciplyne,  [p.  357] 

Vertuous  studie  floured  in  myddil  age,  1168 

Dreed  heeld  the  yerde  of  norture*  &  doctrine, 
Riot  restreyned  from  surquedous  outrage. 
Hatful  detraccioun  repressid  his  langage, 

1 145.  ther]  \>t  H.       1 149.   ysle  R,  Isle  H. 

1 163.  foul]  fals  B,  H. 

1 165.  wern]  was  R  —  Ibanysshid  H. 

1 169.  norture]  nature  B. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  146  verso.    There  is  no  initial  in  B. 


Noah  and 
Abraham  also 
lived  at  that 
time,  and 
soberness  and 
temperance 
ruled  the 
world. 


There  was  no 
wrong  nor  vio- 
lence, drunken 
insolence,  and 
froward  ex- 


Youth  was 
bridled  under 
discipline,  and 
virtuous  study 
flowered  until 
middle  age; 
riot  was  re- 
strained; there 
was  no  hateful 
detraction. 


8o8  A  Description  of  The  Golden  World  [bk.  vii 

Koiitli  was  charite,  because  attemperaunce  117a 

Hadde  in  that  world  hooli  the  goud'rnaunce. 

SlHlhed 'by'     Fortitudo  stood  tho  in  his  myht, 
vJ^rf!':!-'!'^',-      Dittt'iidid  widwes  &  cherisshed  chastite, 

nc relics  \\ crc  ' 

punished,  «nj    [Knvhthod  in  prowesse  cafFout  so  cleer  a  liht.l    1176 

the  church  held     ^-.•'•ii-i^i 

up  in  spiritual   Ciiit  witli  his  sucrd  of  trouthc  &  cquyte, 
Hedd  up  the  chcrch  in  spiritual  dignite, 
Punshcd  heretikes,  because  attemperaunce 
Had  in  that  world  hooli  the  gouernaunce.  1180 

iionest.''"*       Rihtwisnesse  chastised  al  robbours 

[epT'?or-""*   Be  egal  ballaunce  of  execusioun, 

swearing  and     Ftaudc,  fals  mccde  put  balcwatd  fro  iorours, 

lying  dared  U    I  i  i  I'l       • 

enter  no  town.    1  rewc  promys  holde  made  no  dilacioun,  1184 

Forsueryng  shamyd,  durste  entre  in  no  toun, 
Nor  lesyngmongers,  because  attemperaunce 
Hadde  in  that  world  hooly  the  goU(frnaunce. 

de^sTf  mercy   That  goldcn  wotld  coude  loue  God  &  dreede,        1188 
rtrnti>°per-      ^^^^  ^^^  scuenc  decdis  of  m^rcy  for  to  vse; 
formed:  the      The  tichc  was  redi  to  do  almessedeede: 

rich  ready  to       ._-,  i       j   i         i  i-  i      i 

give  alms,  and   Who  asked  herborwc,  men  dide  hyw  nat  refuse, 
refused  a  lodg-   No  man  of  malis  wolde  othir  tho  accuse,  1192 

night?'    '        DifFame  his  neihbour,  because  attemperaunce 
Hadde  in  that  world  hooli  the  gouifrnaunce. 

artTsan^were'^   The  trewc  marchaunt  be  mesour  bouhte  &  solde, 
pfo'w  was'heid    ^cceit  was  non  in  the  artificeer,  1196 

firmly  to  the     Makyng  no  balkis,  the  plouh  was  treuli  holde, 
labourer  was     Abak  stood  idilncsse  ferr  from*  laboreer, 
Discrecioun  marchall  at  dyneer  &*  sopeer. 
Content  with  mesowr,  because  attemperaunce       1200 
Hadde  in  that  world  hooli  the  gouernaunce. 

luxnvxZTtx-     Of  wast  in  clothyng  was  that  tyme  non  excesse, 

i^ng' ('aUho°ugh     ^^"  myhte  the  lord  from  his  soget  knowe, 

one  could         A  difference  maad  tween  pouert  &  richesse,  1204 

know  the  lord     _.  .  o  i   •  •      i 

from  his  sub-     1  wcen  a  pnncessc  &  othir  statis  lowe, 
boasted  or        Of  hoHiyd  beestis  no  boost  was  than  Iblowe, 

Nor  countirfet  feynyng,  because  attemperaunce 
Hadde  in  that  world  hooli  the  gouernaunce.  1208 

1 176.   B  has  in  place  of  this  line  the  third  of  the    preceding 

stanza. —  a]  om.  R. 
1179.   Punysshed  R.  H.       1183.   bakward]  bak  H. 
1 188.  That]  The  H. 

1 198.   from]  from  the  B,  H.       1199.   &]  &  at  B. 
1 201,]  Was  set  asyde  and  lost  hir  gouernaunce  R. 
1206.  was  then  no  boste  R. 


feigned. 


BK.  Vii]  A  Description  of  The  Golden  World 


809 


1224 


This  goldene  world  long  while  did  endure, 

Was  non  allay  in  that  metal  seene, 

Til  Saturn  cesid,  be  record  of  scripture; 

lubiter  regned,  put  out  his  fadir  cleene,  1212 

Chauwged  Obrison  into  siluer  sheene, 

Al  up-so-doun,  because  attemperauwce 

Was  set  aside  and  lost  hir  gou(?rnau«ce. 

Of  Martis  myneral  the  metal  is  so  strong,  1216 

Inflexible  and  nat  malliable, 

Be  sturdynesse  to  do  the  peeple  wrong 

With  rigerous  suerd,  fureous  &  vengable, 

The  m<?rciful  gold  [of]  Phebus  nat  plicable  1220 

To  haue  compassiouw,  because  attewp[e]rauwce 

Was  set  aside  &  lost  hir  gouernauwce. 

Leed,  of  philisophres,  is  callid  gold  leprous, 
Tyn  of  lubiter,  crasshyng  &  dul  of  soun, 
Fals  and  fugitifF  is  mercurivs,  — 
The  moone  is  mutable  of  hir  condiciouw. 
The  goldene  world  is  turnid  up-so-doun 
In  ech  estat,  sith[en]  attemperauwce 
Was  set  aside  and  lost  hir  gouernauwce. 

Be  Cibilis  exposicioun, 

Tak  of  this  metal  the  moralite: 

The  goldene  world  was  gonemtd  be  resoun,  1232 

The  world  of  iren  was  furious  cruelte; 

The  moone  is  mutable,  ful  of  duplicite, 

Lik  to  this  world,  because  attemp[e]rauMce 

Is*  set  aside  and  hath  no*  gou^rnauwce.  1236 

Venus,  of  loueres  emperesse  &  queene, 

Of  vicious  lustis  lady  and  maystresse, 

Hir  metal  coper,  that  wil  ternyssh  gr^ne, 

A  chauwgable  colour,  cowtrarye  to  sadnesse,  1240 

A  notabil  figur  of  worldli  brotilnesse, 

Lik  gery  Venus,  because  attemp[e]rau«ce 

Was  set  aside  &  lost  hir  gou^rnauwce. 


This  Golden 
World  lasted 
until  Jupiter 
put  his  father 
out  of  his  king- 
dom, and  then 
temperance 
was  set  aside. 


The  metal  of 
Mars  is  strong 
and  inflexible, 
and  the  sword 
of  rigour 
furious  and  full 
of  vengeance. 


Lead  is  called 
leprous  gold, 
tin  is  dull 
of  sound,  and 
mercury  false 
and  fugitive. 


1228 


The  Golden 
World  was 
governed  by 
reason,  but  the 
world  of  iron 
by  cruelty;  the 
present  world 
is  full  of 
duplicity,  like 
the  moon. 


Venus'  metal 
is  copper,  that 
tarnishes 
green, 
a  change- 
able colour, 
a  figure  of 
worldly 
mutability. 


1222.  hir]  his  H,  R  3. 

1223.  Leed]  Bed  H. 

1224.  craisshyng  R,  J. 

1227.  The]  This  R.       1228.   sith  H,  R. 

1236.  Is]  Was  B  —  hath  no]  lost  hir  B. 

1243.  hir]  his  H. 


8io 


The  Temperance  of  John  the  Baptist  [bk.  vii 


My  author 
Bochas  com- 
plained on  the 
cumbrous 
({luttony  of 
X'itcllius  and 
his  two  fellow 
emperors, 
notorious  for 
their  debauch- 
ery. 


Myn  auctowr  Bochas  gan  pitousli  cowpleyne         1244 
On  the  disordynat  coinerous  glotonye 
Of  VitelHus  &  his  felawes  tweyne, 
Alle  thre  diffouHd  wtt^  horrible  lecherye, 
Diffamed  be  schumdre,  noised  for  ther  ribaudie,*  1248 
Contrarious  enniyes  echon  tattemperaunce, 
Banshed  fro  ther  court[es],  myhte  haue  no  gou^rn- 
aunce. 


Gluttony  and 
drunkenness 
cause  fevers, 
podagra,  gout 
and  horrible 
gangrenous 
tores. 


[P-  358] 
1252 


1256 


Prudence  was 
banished  from 
their  court; 
soberness, 
truth  and 
righteousness 
stood  aside. 


1260 


John  the  Bap- 
tist lived  in 
the  desert 
and  ate  mel 
Sylvester  and 
locusts. 
His  cook  was 
temperance. 


His  clothes 
were  woven  of 
camel's  hair, 
and  he  lived 
on  honey- 
suckles and 
drank  spring 
water. 


Of  glotonie  &  riotous  excesse, 
Wach  &  reuel  &  drynkyng  al  the  niht 
Kometh  vnkoul)  feueres  &  many  gr^t  accesse, 
Membres  potagre  mak[th]  men  thei  go  nat  riht, 
Goiites,  mormalles  horrible  to  the  siht, 
Many  infirmytes,  because  attemperaunce 
Was  nat  of  counsail  toward  ther  gou^rnaunce. 

Out  of  ther  court  ban[y]shed  was  prudence, 

Fortitudo  had  non  interesse 

Geyn  vicious  lyuy/zg  to  make  resistence, 

Cried  woluis  hed  was  virtuous  sobirnesse; 

Trouthe  durst  nat  medle,  abak  stood  rihtwisnesse, 

Put  out  of  houshold  was  attemperaunc^, 

With  these  thre  emperowrs  koude  haue  no  gou^rnaunce 

^  Sone  of  the  prophete  callid  Zacharie, 
The  patriark,  the  holi  man  Seynt  lohn, 
Victorious  champiouw  of  gredi  glotonye, 
Lyued  in  desert,  deyntes  hadde  he  non, 
Et  mel  siluestre,  lay  on  the  colde  ston, 
Locustas  gadred;   his  cook  was  temp[e]rau«ce 
And  of  his  houshold  had  al  the  gou^rnaunce. 

Of  kamel  heris  was  wouen  his  clothyng, 
Record  the  Gospell  that  ka«  the  trouthe  tell, 
Honysokeles  his  moderat  feedyng, 
Mong  wilde  beestis  whan  he  dide  duell; 
To  stauwche  his  thrust  drank  watir  of  Jje  well. 
This  blissid  Baptist,  roote  of  attewpraunce, 
Set  for  cheefF  merour  of  al  good  gou^rnaunce. 


1265 


1268 


1272 


1276 


1245.  comberous  H. 

1248.  be]  with  H — for  ther  ribaudie]  be  ^er  lecherye  B  — 

for  ther]  with  H. 

1254.  podagre  R,  R  3,  P.        1261.    Cryed  woluyssh  was  H  5. 

1264.  Empifrour  H.         1266.    holi]  manly  H. 

1269.  Et  mel  siluestre]  Did  eat  wild  honey  P. 

1270.  Locustes  P.         1275.   Mong]  Among  H. 


BK.  VIl3 


John  the  Baptist  and  Diogenes 


1288 


1292 


Of  his  diete  catowr  was  scarsete, 

His  costful  foode  was  vertuous  abstinence,  1280 

Roods  of  desert  his  dehcat  plente, 

His  riche  pymentis,  [his]  ipocras  of  dispense 

Heeng  nat  in  costretis  nor  botelis  in  \)Q  spence,  — 

Nat  excessiff,  because  attewperaunce  1284 

Hadde  of  his  houshold  hooH  \>e  gou^rnaunce. 

Thus  Baptist  lohn  bi  his  moderat  foode 

The  cheef  tryumphe  of  abstynence  hath  begunne, 

This  patriark[e]  rekned  oon  the  goode, 

Content  with  htil,  al  suffisaunce  hath  wonne, 

As  Diogenes  in  his  Htil  tonne 

Heeld  hym  appaied,  because  attemperaunce 

Hadde  of  his  houshold  al  the  gou^rnaunce. 

His  tonne  to  hym  was  receit  &  houshold; 

And  yif  I  sholde  booste  of  his  celeer, 

Ther  wer  no  cuppis  of  siluer  nor  of  gold; 

His  costful  vyntage  caw  fro  the  ryueer: 

Weel  tymed  mesour  was  for  his  mouth  botleer, 

And  his  tastour  was  attemperaunce, 

Which  of  his  houshold  had  al  \)e  gouernaunce. 

His  conquest  was  mor  souerayn  of  degre 
Than  Alisaundris,  for  al  his  hih  renoun; 
For  he  conquered  his  sensualite, 
Made  hym  soget  &  seruaunt  to  resoun, 
Daunted  of  prudence  ech  foreyn  passioun, 
His  clerk  of  kechene  callid  attempraunce, 
Which  of  his  diete  had  al  l)e  gouernaunce. 

Of  superfluite,  of  slouthe  &  of  sleeps 
This  Diogenes  stood  euer  among  in  dreede; 
Of  worldli  fauour  he  took  no  man^r  keep^; 
Strauh  was  his  liteer,  a  sywple  russet  weede: 
Turnid  his  tonne  ageyn  the  wynd  in  deede, 
Tween  hot  and  cold[e],  that  attemperaunce 
In  somer  &  wyntir  had  hool  the  gouernaunce. 


811 

Scarcity  was 
his  caterer, 
and  his  food 
virtuous 
abstinence 
and  roots  of 
the  desert. 


1296 


He  began  by 
moderate   diet, 
the  chief 
triumph  of 
abstinence,  and 
was  as  content 
with  little  as 
Diogenes  in 
his  hogshead, 


who  had  no 
cellar  or  cups 
of  silver  and 
gold.     His 
vintages  came 
from  the  river, 
and  modera- 
tion was  his 
butler. 


His  conquest  of 
13°°    his  senses  was 
greater   than 
the  triumphs  of 
Alexander. 


1304 


His  bed  was  of 
straw,  his  gar- 
ment russet; 
and   he  turned 
his  tun  accord- 
ing to  the 
wind,  and 
let  temper- 
ance rule  in 
summer  and 
winter. 


1308 


1312 


1 28 1,   his]  he  H. 

1283.   nat]  om.  R. 

1297.   his  mouth]  ]^e  tyme  H. 

13 13.   hool]  om.  R. 


8l2 


The  Destruction  of  Jerusalem 


[bk.  VII 


Noble  Princes, 
The  Golden 
WorlJ  is  turned 
to   lead.     Pray 
God  to  send 
down  his  grace, 
that  temper- 
ance mav 
govern  your 
households. 


Chiefly  for  love, 
but  also  for 
fear,  attend 
diligently  to  his 
rrecepts;    for 
those  who  of 
old  ruled  by 
temperance 
prospered. 


While  temper- 
ance and  her 
three  sisters 
held  sway,  Rome 
defied  its 
enemies. 


^  Lenvoye. 

NOBLE  Princis,  of  prudence  takith  heed 
This  htil  chapitle  brcefli  to  co;«pr^hende: 
The  goldene  world  is  turnid  into  led;  1316 

Praieth  to  God  his  grace  doun  to  sende 
Of  his  hih  mercy,  that  it  may  soone  amende, 
And  that  this  princesse  callid  attemperaunce 
May  of  yoz^r  housholdis  han  the  gou^rnaunce.       1320 

Cheefli  for  loue,  parcel  eek  for  dreed, 

In  your  estat  whan  ye  be  most  shynende, 

For  your  encres  &  your  most  gracious  speed, 

To  his  preseptis  doth  dilligentli  attende,  1324 

Of  olde  emperour[e]s  reedeth  the  legende: 

Whil  thei  wer  reuled  be  attemperaunce 

In  long  prospmte  stood  ther  gou^frnaunce. 

Of  worldli  kyngdames  Roome  is  callid  hed,  1328 

Whos  roial  boundis  ferthest  out  extende 

In  marcial  actis,  bothe  in  lengthe  &  breed, 

Rem  Puhlicam  bi  prowesse  to  difFende, 

No  foreyn  enmy  hardi  to  ofFende  1332 

Ther  hih  noblesse,  whil  attemp[e]raunce 

Wi't^  hir  thre  sustren  hadde*  ther  gou<?rnaunce. 


[How  the  kynrede  of  lacob  was  destroied  /  Crist 
bom  and  deied  /  lerusaZem  destroied,  &  xj?  Ml 
slayn  bi  suerde,  hunger,  fire  &  pestilence.]  ^ 


After  the  stories 
of  V'itellius, 
Galba  and 
Otho,  a  great 
number  of  the 
descendants  of 
Jacob  came  to 
Bochas 


like  dismayed 
people,  clad  in 
mourning  and 
wet  with  tears. 


THE  stoori  eendid  of  Vitellyus, 
Of  his  too  feeds  Galba  &  Ottho, 
How  his  careyn  horrible  &  hidous, 
Drownid  in  Tibre,  was  possid  to  &  fro. 
AflFtir  the[r]  stori  [a]cowplisshed  was  &  do. 
Cam  gret  noumbre  to  Bochas,  as  I  reede, 
Echon  descendid  of  lacobis  hih  kynreede. 

In  tokne  of  compleynt  &  of  heuynesse, 
Lik  folk  dismaied,  clad  in  moornyng  weede, 
For  the  constreynt  of  ther  wrechidnesse, 


[P-  359] 
1336 


1340 


1344 


1314.   goode  heede  R. 

13 16.  The]  This  R  —  into]  in  R.       13 19.   thes  prynces  R. 

1323.   &]  &  for  H.       1334-    hadde]  hadden  B. 

1337.   their  Careyns  H.        1338.   was]  om.  H. 

1342.  tokne]  toke  H  —  2nd  of]  om.  H. 

1343.  dismaied]  diffamyd  R. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  147  verso. 


BK.   VIl] 


Jerusalem  and  the  Jews 


813 


Bespreynt  with  teres,  quakywg  in  }^er  dreede, 
Cunwyng  no  recoMr  in  so  streit  a  neede, 
Resemblyng  folk  be  toknis  ful  mortall 
That  wer  toward  sum*  feeste  funerall.  1348 

Ther  ougH  cheeris  pitous  to  beholde, 

As  thei  gan  aprochen  the  presence 

Of  lohn  Bochas  to  telle  ther  sorwes  olde, 

Ther  wouwdis  bleedywg,  be  marcial  violence,         1352 

Oppressid  with  hunger,  thrust,  sodeyn  pestilence. 

Be  foreyn  suerd  ther  lyuys  manacyng, 

Vpon  the  deth  as  beestis  abidyng, 

That  wer  enclosed  narwe  in  a  folde,  1356 

Disespeired  socour  to  recure, 

To  passe  ther  bouwdis  for  dreed  thei  wer  nat  bold, 

Withynwe  enfamyne[d],  bareyn  of  al  pasture;  — 

This  woful  stori  remembrid  in*  scripture,  1360 

How  that  of  lacob  the  generacioun 

Was  vengabli  brouht  to  dest[r]ucciou«. 

This  patriark  callid  whilow  Israel, 

Most  renwomwed  among  al  naciouns  1364 

And  most  famous,  the  Bible  caw  weel  tell, 

Ther  lyne  out  reknid  thoruhout  al  regiouns, 

Be  goddis  beheste  took  ther  pocessiouns, 

Maugre  Egipciens  &  Pharaoes  pride,  1368 

Whan  duk  Moises  be  God  was  maad  ^er  guide. 

With  dreye  feet  thei  passed  the  Rede  Se, 

Conueyed  be  Moises  &  also.be  Aaron. 

Ther  lawe  was  write,  the  Bible  who  list  see,  1372 

Vpon  Syna  in  tables  of  hard  ston. 

And  thoruh  desert  as  thei  dide  gon, 

Wit^  aungelis  mete  callid  manna,  as  I  reede, 

Fourti  wyntir  ther  he  did  hew  feede.  1376 

AfFtir  Moises,  lad  be  losue 

Into  the  lond[e]  of  promyssioun. 

The  tuelue  lynages  of  lacob  ther,  parde, 

He  leet  make  a  distribucioun,  1380 

And  to  ech  lyne  he  gafF  his  porcioun, 

Bi  promys  maad  afForn  to  Habraham, 

To  Isaak,  lacob,  whan  thei  thidir  caw. 

1346.   Cunnyng3  knowyng  J,  P,  H  5. 

1348.]  Toward  that  wer  sum  feeste  funerall  R  —  sum^  the  B. 

1360.  in]  be  B. 

1367.  pocessiouw  H.       1382.  Abraham  H,  R,  J. 


Their  ugly 
faces  were 
piteous  to 
look  upon, 
their  wounda 
bleeding;  op- 
pressed with 
hunger,  thirst, 
pestilence   and 
the  sword  of 
foreigners. 


they  awaited 
death  like 
sheep  in 
a  fold,  and 
lacked  all 
courage  to 
escape. 


They  were 

once  the  most 
renowned  of 
nations,  as  the 
Bible  can  tell; 
and  in  spite 
of  the  pride  of 
Pharaoh, 


they  crossed 
the  Red  Sea 
dry  shod,  and 
received  the 
law  at  Sinai, 
written  on 
tablets  of  hard 
stone. 


They  lived  for 
40  years  on 
angel's  food; 
and  after 
Moses'  death 
Joshua  led 
them  into  the 
Promised 
Land. 


8 14  The  Unkindness  of  the  Jews  to  Jesus  [bk.  vii 

Sttukc.     Bi  patiiarkcs  [&]  proplictis  that  wer  sad,  1384  | 

the"*  ^"ms"ereJ-  ^^••^'S''e  tluT  ciiinyes  &:  thcr  mortal  foon,  ; 

and  «t  last.       Bc  iiiilui  clukcs  Sc  iutrcs  thci  vvcr  lad,  | 

when  in  their       r^  i      \  •  ii-i-i 

pride  they        (jat  a!  the  region ;fs  wher  thei  dide  gon, 

wanted  a  king,    '-p'-i  i        i  r        -  i         i      ■         i  i 

Saul  was  111  at  the  laste,  ot  pnde  thei  echon  1388  | 

'  °'*°'  Lik  othir  nacioiu;s  woldcn  haue  a  kyng.  ] 

Saul  was  chose;   God  grau;;tid  l^er  askyng.  ! 

b«a'me  FinR.*^    ^^^^^^  ^c  pattlarkcs  &  be  ther  allies,  I 

and  of  his  line  YtOTH  Abraham  the  genfelalogie,  1392  ! 

Je«u8  was  born,  ,-p,    ,  ,      ,  i        •  i  i        • 

Tolde  be  prophetis  &  be  ther  prophesies,  I 

CoHueied  to  Dauid,  which  in  his  regalie  | 

Heeld  of  lewes  al  hool  the  monarchie,  j 

Of  whos  kynrecde  bi  processe,  thus  it  stood,  1396 

Was  Crist  lesu  born  of  that  roial  blood. 

ci^D^^rVuT  Sent  from  his  fader,  as  prophetis*  det^rmyne, 
salvation  and     Jook  flessh  &  blood  for  our  sauaciouw, 

suffered  martyr-  „,,.---,  »  .  ', 

H'"od""''"        Be  the  Hooli  Goost  born  of  a  peur  virgyne,  1400  i 

Hadde  among  lewes  gret  tribulacioun,  j 

Vndir  Herodes  sufFrid  passiou?i, 
And  as  the  Gospel!  treuli  doth  descryue. 
The  thridde  day  [he]  roos  fro  deth  to  lyue.  1404 

Srdwir^rn  This  blissid  Lord,  this  Lord  of  most  v^rtu, 
Deci'mbTr'^in'    Ecndc  of  Dccembte  born  [sothly]  in  Bethlem, 
Bethlehem  and  And  bc  the  auwgel  namyd  was  I^ju, 

shewn  to  three    ^i  i  i  i  i  •  i  ' 

kings  by  a        bhewed  to  thtc  kynges  bi  a  sterre  bem,  —  1408  1 

starbeam;    and    ripi   •  ti  •       ti  i 

the  same  Jesus   1  his  Same  Ihcsus  in  Iherusalcm  ] 

was  afterwards    r>'  '  '  f  T  ^1  1  •  i 

condemned  by    Di  conspiracioun  ot  lewes  thotuh  envie,  i 

Cafva'ry°  ''"'  °°  Bc  Pilat  dempt  to  deie  on  Caluarie.  J 

Je'^ws'w^ere        Thus  onto  Ihesu  lewes  wer  vnkynde,  1412 

and'for Tha*!:™'  ^'^^  which  thei  wcm  destroied  nih  echon.  ] 

they  were         Crist  ptophecicd,  the  Gospcl  maketh  mywdc,  ' 

stroyed.  How  of  thcT  citc  thct  shold  nat  leue  a  ston  ' 

Vpon  another;   for  ther  mortal  foon  1416  i 

Shold  hem  besege,  he  told  hem  so  certeyw, 
And  make  Iherusalem  with  the  soil  al  pleyn. 

Susr^for'^when  With  wccpyng  eyen  Crist  told  hem  so  beforn*  [p.  360]  ' 

Efve\hem\he    Of  thet  tuyne  and  destruccioun;  1420  j 

did  not  know    Syn?ie  was  cause  sothli  that  thei  wer  lorn:  ' 

For  thei  nat*  knew,  to  ther  confusioun,  i 

1384.  &]  om.  R.     1392.  genelogie  R,  genologie  J,  Genealogye  H.  j 

1398.    prophetis]  poetis  B.       1407.   the]  om.  R.  1 

1419.   beforn]  afForn  B.       1420.    and]  &  their  H.  j 
1422.   nat]  ne  B. 


BK.  VII^ 


The  Jews  divided  amongst  themselves 


815 


Thirty  years 
after  the  Pas- 
sion the  Jews 
became  divided 
among  them- 
selves, and 
there  were  so 
many  murders 
that  no  man 
dared  abide  ia 
the  city. 


The  Romans 
sent  down 
Vespasian  to 
restore  order, 


Tyme  of  ther  notable  visitacioun, 

Whan  Crist  caw  doun,  born  heer  in  erthe  lowe     1424 

For  ther  sauacioun,  —  thei  list  hym  nat  to  knowe. 

Thretti  yeer  ful  cronicleeres  write 

And  suwwhat  mor,  aftir  his  passiouw, 

Amowg  the  lewes,  pleynli  to  endite,  1428 

Withynwe  hem-silff  fill  a  dyuysiouw. 

Moordrers  ros  up  v^ithynne  ther  owne  touw, 

So  gret  a  noumbre,  vfith  many  an  homycide, 

That  in  ther  cite  no  man  durst  weel  abide.  1432 

Ther  presidentis  regnyng  in  lude 

Seyng  this  horrible  foul  rebellioun 

And  of  moordreris  the  mortal  cruelte 

That  long  endured  in  that  regeouw,  —  1436 

Which  for  tappese  Romeyws  sente  douw 

Vespasian  wzt^  many  a  mawli  kniht, 

Which  into  Gallile  took  his  weie  riht. 

And  to  chastise  tho  moordreris  &  robbowrs,  1440 

Brente  ther  contre  as  he  rood  up  &  doun, 

So  cowtynued  wi't^  his  soudiowrs 

Til  onto  tyme  the  contres  envirouw 

Of  Iherusalem  entred  be  the  town  1444 

With  ther  oblaciouns  in  many  sondri  wise, 

As  Pask  requered,  to  do  ther  sacrefise. 

Tofor  tho  daies  was  Iherusalem 

Hadde  in  gret  worshep  of  al  naciouws,  1448 

Callid  princesse  of  eueri  othir  rewm, 

Whos  fame  strechid  thoruhout  al  regiouws, 

Ther  tresor  gret  and  ther  pocessiouns, 

Double  wallid,  of  beeldywg  most  notable,  1452 

Dreedywg  now  enmy,  for  it  was  impreuable. 

Among  Romeyws  was  many  a  manli  man 

Willyng  echon  of  oon  afFeccioun, 

Thoruh  the  knihthod  of  Vespasian,  1456 

Echon  to  laboure  to  the  destruccioun 

Of  Iherusalem;   for  gret  dyuysioun 

Among  hem-silf  was  gunne  in  the  cite 

Bi  certeyn  capteyns  wer  in  nounzbre  thre.  1460 

1425.  to]  om.  H. 

1426.  yeer]  yeers  R  —  cronicleeres]  cronyclis  H,  cronycles  R  3, 
cronyculeers  R,  J.       1430.   vp  ros  R.       143 1.   an  oumbre  H. 

1432.   ther]  that  R,  the  J,  P  —  weel]  om.  R. 

1439.   Gallile]  Gaule  H.       145 1.   Ther]  The  R.       1458.   gret]  their  H. 


and  he  laid 
waste  the 
country  at  the 
time  the  people 
entered  Jerusa- 
lem to  make 
their  paschal 
sacrifices. 


Jerusalem   was 
then  called  the 
princess  of 
realms,  rich  in 
treasure, 
double  walled, 
and  almost 
impregnable. 


The  Romans 
were  willing  to 
fight  hard  to 
win  the  city, 
which  was 
divided  against 
itself. 


Rome  as  era 
peror, 


8i6                       Vespasian  and  Titus  in  'Judaea               [bk.  vil  i 

The  tyrants      Synion,  lohii  and  Eleazarus,  \ 

Simon,  John             -'               '                                                                                       .  .  1 

•nd  Eicazar       Horriblc  tirauwt^j  oppr^-ssyng  l)e  poraille,  ] 

were  enemies;                                                     r                  i            I                   •  i 

and  there  was    Qf  gou<Tnau//ce  tiowaru  aiicl  outiaious,  I 

ou"  and  wTihin.  FalsH  dcuidcd  ech  othir  dide  assaille,  1464                 { 

Anio;!g  hem-silf  had  many  gret*  batallle:  ; 

Werre  withoute  &  werre  was  wtt^ynne;  ,              I 

Thus  of  vengau7/ce  myscheef  dide  gynne. 

Vespasian  tried  Vcspasian  nat  beyng  rek[e]les,  1468                 1 

to  make  peace  r_  •i-iit'l 

among  them.     pQf  his  partic  hlc  a  prudcnt  kniht 

but  in  vain.  \  •        j   I 

Returning  to     Bc  notablc  mcnys  excited  hem  to  pes; 

But  al  for  nouht;  blente  ther  owne  siht;  I 

To  cheese  the  beste  thei  koude  nat  seen  arlht.      1472  ; 

And  in  this  while,  this  noble  werreyowr  : 
Vespasian  was  chosen  emperoz^r. 


he  appointed     gj  AHsandre  to  Roome  he  went  ageyn,*  I 

his  son   litus  111  ■    1    J'        • 

to  succeed  him  Resceyued  ther  thymperial  dignite.  1470 

in  Judaea.  --r'-  i  i      l   •         l         f  ... 

Jerusalem  was   His  sone  1  itus  he  made  his  cheer  capteyw,  j 

besieged  -.f  •       T     J  ' 

and  starved.      His  ptocuratour,  to  goueme  in  lude,  i 

Besette  enviroun  Iherusalem  the  cite,  1 

With  men  of  armys  seged  it  so  aboute  1480  j 

That  non  myhte  entre  nor  now  myhte  issen  oute. 

One  woman  is   gtopped  thcr  cowduitcs  &  ther  watris  cleer, 

said  to  have        '"rr  riii  r'*ll 

roasted  her       Enfamyncd  hem  for  lakkyng  or  vitaille.  ' 

child  for  lack  -^  i  •    i       i  •    l  r. 

of  victuals,       A  certeyn  woman,  thus  seith  the  cronicleer,  1484 

ho^bUa de^!  Rosted  hir  child  whan  vitaile  did[e]  faille,  —  j 

She  hadde  of  stoor  non  othir  apparaille,  —  ] 

Theron  be  leiseer  hirsilf  she  dide  feede,  1 

Which  in  a  woman  was  to  horrible  a  deede!  1488 

be^a^ten^dowTb  Thcr  myhti  wallis  v^ith  gunnes  wer  cast  doun, 

engines  and      Xoo  sttonge  tot^r[e]s  take  of  ther  cite,  1 

two  strong  -r.       •  r    Ml         •       ^L      ...  ' 

towers  taken.     Resistence  gan  raillen  in  the  toun, 

Thei  stood  of  hunger  in  swich  perplexite.  1492 

Titus  of  knihthod  and  magnanymyte, 
Thoruhout  the  tour  callid  Antonyan 
Is  entrid  in  lik  a  knihtli  man. 

1464.  ech]]  echon  H. 

1465.  gret]  strong  B. 
1469.   prudent]  manly  H. 

1472.  seen]  chese  H. 

1473.  noble]  notable  H. 

1475.  went  ageyn]  was  sent  B.       1483.  lak  H. 

1485.  vitaillis  R. 


BK. 


VIl3 


"Jerusalem  destroyed  by  Titus 


817 


The  peeple  in  streetis  lay  for  hunger  ded,  1496 

To  beye  nor  selle  no  lyfflode  in  the  touw; 

Ther  was  no*  socoMr  nouther  of  drynk  nor  bred 

In  peyne  of  deth  born  nouther  up  nor  douw. 

Vomyt  of  oon  was  the  refeccioun  1500 

Vnto  another;  ther  was  such  scarsete, 

Who  redeth  losephus,  the  trouthe  he*  may  Jj^r  see. 

Brent  was  the  temple  maad  first  be  Salamow,  [p.  361] 

Which  had  endured,  thus  writ  the  cronicleer,        1504 

That  was  so  roial  bilt  of  riche  ston, 

Fulli  a  thousand  &  too  hundred  yeer. 

Romeyns  entred  maugre  ther  porteer 

With  spere,  pollex  &  suerdis  sharp[e]  whette,        1508 

Lik  wode  leouns  slouh  whom  that  thei  mette. 

Ther  riche  gatis  curid  wzt^  plate  of  gold 

Wer  brente  and  molte  withoute  excepciouw; 

The  siluer  images  that  forgid  wer  of  old,  1512 

The  violent  feer  made  hem  renne  douw. 

Noble  Titus  hadde  corapassioun, 

His  marcial  dukis  spared  nothywg  certeyw, 

List  of  presumpcioun  thei  wolde*  rebelle  ageyw.  1516 

Eleuene  huwdrid  thousand  wer  ther  slayn 
Bi  suerd,  bi  hunger,  fyr  and  pestilence; 
Stynk  of  kareyns  that  in  streetis  layn 
Caused  of  deth  most  sodeyn  violence; 
And  Titus  gaff  among  hem  this  sentence 
—  I  meene  of  them  that  dide  alyue  duell  — 
For  a  peny  men  sholde  thretti  sell. 

So  as  ludas  sold  Crist  for  thretti  pens, 

Titus  ageyn  thouhte  of  equite, 

Of  marchaundise  to  make  recompense, 

Thretti  lewes  founde  in  the  cite 

For  a  peny,  &  for  no  mor,  parde, 

Thei  to  be  sold  for  ther  gret  outrage, 

Euer  among  Sarsyns  to  lyuen  in  seruage. 

Of  the  temple  a  preest  that  was  ful  olde, 

Too  statli  lanternis,  that  wer  ful  briht  &  sheene,   -1532 

Tables,  basynes,  violes  of  briht  golde 

He  presented;  &  thus  he  dede  meene: 

1498.  no]  non  B,  R.        I499-   nouther]  neithir  R  —  nor]  ne 

1502.  losephus]  Joseph  R  —  he]  ye  B,  R,  om.  J  —  ^ef\  om. 

1505.  riche  ston]  lyme  &  stoone  H.       15 10.   Ther]  The  H. 

1516.  wolde]  list  B.       1518.   2nd  bi]  &  H.       1525.   of]  it  H. 


J520 


1524 


1528 


The  people  lay 
dead  for 
hunger  in  the 
streets:  their 
story  can 
be  read  in 
Josephus. 


The  temple, 
which  had 
stood  for  1200 
years,  was 
burnt 


together  with 
its  rich  gates 
covered  with 
plates  of  gold, 
and  its  silver 
images. 


1,100,000 
Jews  were 
slain  by  the 
sword,    starva- 
tion, fire,  and 
pestilence;  and 
the  stink  of 
corpses  caused 
many  more 
deaths. 


Titus  com- 
manded the 
survivors  to  be 
sold  to  the 
Saracens  at 
thirty  for  a 
penny,  as  Jesus 
had  once  been 
sold  by  Juda3 
for  thirty 
pence. 


An  old  priest 
shewed  Titus 
the  treasures 
of  the  temple 
in  token  of  its 
departed  glory; 


H. 
J. 


8i8  The  Vengeance  of  Jesus  on  the  Jews  [_^k.  vii 

That  thcr  trcsour  sholdc  weel  be  scene 

Of  the  temple  &  sliewed  to  Titus  1536 

In  tokne  it  was  wliilom  so  glorious. 

!!ik'i'nd7r'lnl!i:>-  To  shcwe  celc  ther  he  dede  his  besi  cure, 
cense  and  the    gjij-  svnamoMie,  franc-ensens  withal, 

purple  vest-  ^  -  ,  '  ' 

nients  and  rich  Yqv  sacrcfisc  the  Durpurat  vesture,  1540 

pectoral  of  the    m,..    ,    ^^i  i  •    i  i 

high  priest.       W  ith  1  hymyaiiie,  the  riche  pectoral, 
Which  ordeyned  wern  in  especial 
For  the  solenipne  place  of  placis  all, 
Sancta  sanctorz/;/?,  &  so  men  dide  it  call.  1544 

^triTamed'  ''^^  Of  the  cite  a  prince  callid  lohn 

John  came  to    ^q  Titus  Cam  &  shewcd  his  presence, 

litus.  pale  with  ■  ^ 

hunger;  and       Pale  foT  hungcr;  ther  caw  also  Symon, 

biinion  was  i->  i        ■  i     i        >  i  T- 

brought  to  him  Dtouht  DC  a  duK  that  namyd  was  lerence,  1548 

Terence.  Clad  in  purpil,  brouht  be  violence, 

Resceyued  of  Titus  whan  this  noble  town, 
Castellis,  tours  &  wallis  wer  smet  doun. 

b!t!"rappei      1"^°  ^  castell  calHd  Mazadan  1552 

in  a  castle,  he   Eleazatus  haddc  take  his  fliht. 

incited  all  who     »-.  .  . 

were  with  him   Bcsegid  of  Scilla  or  he  the  castel  wan, 

to  slay  one  „,  .    °    ,  ...  -      .  ... 

another.  1  his  Lieazat  Ilk  a  rurious  kniht 

Withynne  the  castell  the  silue  same  niht  1556 

Sterid  eueri  ma?i,  fadir,  child  &  brothir, 
Wz't^  sharp[e]  suerdis  ech  maw  to  slen  othir. 
most  imeTjlTf  Thus  was  this*  cite,  most  statli  of  beeldywg, 
desui^e'd''^^     That  whilom  was  of  this  world  cheeftoun,  1560 

Wher  Melchisedek  regned,  preest  &  kyng, 
Be  daies  olde,  as  maad  is  menciouw, 
Restorid  be  Dauyd,  bilt  newe  of  Salamouw, 
Princesse  of  prouynces,  was  nowher*  such  anojiifr;  1564 
Now  is  it*  abiect  and  refus  of  al  othir. 
jewsMilrtV^'  Vnto  the  lewes  Crist  lesxxs  gaf  respiht, 
before Te^tTOk   ^uU  thrctti  yeer[e]  or  he  took  vengaunce, 
vengeance;  for    J^  tokne  the  Lord  hath  ioie  &  gret  delite,  1568 

the  Lord  has  i-  l 

joy  when  \\  haw  that  synweres  dispose  hem  to  penauwce 

sinners  are  con-  »-»  •    •  i   i  t 

trite  and  repent:  Be  contncioun  and  hcrtli  repentaunce. 

This  blissid  Lord,  this  Lord  most  m^rciable 
Lengest  abideth  or  he  list  be  vengable.  1572 

IS37-  so]  om.  R.       1540.   the]  of  H. 

1544.  R  misplaces  here:  "Which  ordeyned  wer  in  especiall." 

1551.  Castell  R. 

1559.  this]  the  B.       1562,  63  are  transposed  in  H. 

1564.  nowher]  neuer  B. 

1565.  is  it]  it  is  B  —  it]  om.  R.       1571.   2nd  Lord]  kyng  R. 


BK.  VIl] 


Portents  Fateful  to  the  Jews 


819 


He  was  to  them  so  gracious  &  benigne, 

Bood  that  thei  sholde  to  hyw  conuerte  soone, 

Shewed  onto  hem  many  an  vnkouth  signe: 

Durywg  tuelue  daies  edipsed  was  the  moone;        1576 

The  peeple  astoned,  knew  nat  what  was  to  doone, 

But  indurat  in  ther  froward  entent, 

Lik  folk  abasshed  wist  nat  what  it  mente. 

Affor  the  siege,  or  Titus  ga«  the  werre,  1580 

Ouer  the  cite,  wherof  thei  wex  afFerd, 

Ther  appeered  a  comeete  &  a  sterre. 

The  sterre  was  shape  Hch  a  large  suerd; 

Touchyng  the  comeete,  ther  was  neu^r  herd  1584 

Of  swich  another,  so  fyri,  briht  and  cleer, 

Which  endured  the  space  of  al  a  yeer. 

Ther  festyual  day  halwid  in  Aprill,  [p.  362] 

Ther  preestis  besi  to  make  oblacioun,  1588 

So  gret  a  liht  the  temple  dide  fill. 

That  al  the  peeple  stondywg  enviroun 

Thouhte  it  so  briht  in  ther  inspeccioun, 

Passyng  the  sunwe,  as  it  dide  seeme;  1592 

But  what  it  mente  no  maw  koude  deeme. 

As  the  preestis  dide  ther  besi  cure 

To  ofFre  a  calfF,  anon  or  thei  took  heede, 

The  same  calfF —  a  thyng  ageyn  nature  —  1596 

Brouht  foorth  a  lamb,  the  same  tyme  I  reede; 

An  ougli  tokne,  which  put*  hem  in  gr<?t  dreede, 

A  contrarie*  pronosticacioun, 

Shewed  onto  them  of  ther  subuersioun,  1600 

With  othir  toknis  froward  &  contrarye 

The*  same  tyme  wer  shewed  eu<?r  among; 

The  brasen  dores  of  the  inward  seyntuarye. 

With  iren  barres  shet,  that  wer  most  strong,         1604 

Brood  of  entaille,  round  and  wonder  long, 

That  myht  nat  meue  v^ith  thretti  mennys  miht, 

Opned  by  hywsilfF  twies  on  o  niht. 


and  although 
he  was 
gracious  to 
them  and 
shewed  them 
strange  signs 
of  what  was 
to  come, 
the  people  re- 
mained obdur- 
ate. 


Before  the 
siege  a  fiery 
comet 

appeared  over 
the  city, 
and  a  star 
shaped  like  a 
large  sword; 


and  on  their 
festival  day  in 
April  a  light 
shone  brighter 
than  the  sun 
in  the   temple. 


As  the  priests 
offered  up  a 
calf  it  brought 
forth  a  lamb, 
which  was  an 
evil  omen. 


There  were 
other  froward 
signs:  the 
heavy  brazen 
doors  of  the 
sanctuary 
opened  of 
themselves 
thrice  on  one 
night. 


1585.  such  H,  R,  J. 
1587.  Ther]  The  H. 
1594.  the]  ther  R. 

1598.  put]  took  B. 

1599.  contraire  B. 
1602.  The]  Ther  B. 
1605.   rouwd]  wide  H. 
1607.  thries  vpon  a  H. 


820  Tokens  of  the  Fall  of  Jerusalem  ^bk.  vii 

Chariots  were    'YheT  wcF  scvn  also  cliaris  in  the  hair,  1608 

•een  in  liic  air  -^ 

and  mcn-at-      McH  of  armcs  With  bfiht  suerdes  cleere, 

arm»  with  /-.  r      i  i  -i      r    i        i  C    ' 

gleaming  swords  Of  plate  and  mailc  [therj  armure  was  so  rair, 
armour,  who      Briht  as  Phcbus  whcr  thei  didc  appeere. 
""assTuit^'the    And  as  the  stori  also  doth  vs  lere,  1612 

^'^^"'  With  ther  sheltrou?/s  &  ther  apparaill, 

A  proffre  maad  Iherusaleni  for  tassaill. 

"e^  p°r"est"'*''"    To  the  lewes  it  didc  signefie 

heard  a  dread-  ^  pronostik  of  thet  dcstruccioun.  1616 

ful  sound  'n         „   *^        .  ,  ,  i      •     i-  i      i  i  • 

the  temple.       Prccstis  to  the  temple  as  tnei  aide  hem  hie 

which  ended  in   . .  .,  .  i  i        ■ 

the  awful  words,  Vpon  3  niht  to  doon  oblaciouTz, 
us  arise^and      Amvd  the  tc/nple  was  herd  a  dreedful  sou7i; 
go  hence."        Of  which[e]  noise  this  was  the  feerful  eende:  1620 

"Rys  up  echon,  &  let  vs  hen[ne]s  weende." 

beforc^the*       "^"^  ^"^  foutc  yeet  tofor  the  siege  gan 
siege  one         Oon  Ananvas,  yong  &  tendre  of  age, 

AnsniAS,  the         y^p  i*i  i  t*  irn 

dull  son  of       Or  his  berthe  sone  or  a  rud[ej  man,  1624 

a  peasant,  ran     ^^       ..  •    •  i     i       r  i  * 

through  the       be  disposicioun  dul  ot  his  corage, 
frenzy",  shouting,  Lich  as  he  hadde  fallen  in  a  rage 

Ran  in  the  cite  bamaner  frenesie, 

Spared  nat  wtt^  open  mouth  to  crie.  1628 

o/\he'eLr'    Vnto  this  noise  was  maad[e]  non  obstakle, 

the  south,  the    gm;  obstynat  euere  in  his  entent, 

a  voice  from    '  Day  of  the  fccstc  holde  in  the  Thabernacle, 

the  four  winds     ,t  a  •      a  i   i  <«  r     ^  •        ^  ^ 

cries  out  A  vois,    Quod  hc,    out  ot  the  orient,  1632 

sfiem?  ^'™'     Vois  fro  thc  south,  fro  north  &  Occident, 

Vois  fro  foure  wyndis  that  blowe  so  brod  &  wide, 
Vois  geyn*  Iherusalem  crieth  out  on  eu^ry  side! 

tfmpfe  a^'g^ainst  ^^^^  g^y^*  the  tcmplc,  agcyw  the  peeple  also,       1636 
the  people.       Vois  agcyn  husbondis,  vois  ageyw  her  wyues: 

husbands  and  »  X  F'.-' 

wives:  woe  to     v\  o  to  Ihcrusaicm  with  a  treble  wo 
a^uebie'"woer  Of  hungct,  thtust  &  Iccsyng  o(\)er  lyues,  — • 

Of  suerd  &  fyr,  and  many  sodeyn  stryues!"  1640 

This  was  the  wrecchid  lamentacioun 
Which  Anany  cried  thoruhout  the  toun. 

1608.  seyn^  slayn  R. 

1610.  ther]  om.  H,  R,  J,  R  3,  H  5,  P,  the  SI. 

1614.  Iherusalem]  ther  Cite  lerMJ-al^m  R,  J,  R  3. 

1619.  herd]  made  H.       1620.   feerful]  dredefuU  R,  J. 

1634.  fro  foure]  fro  the  R  —  blowe]  blew  R. 

1635.  geyn]  ageyn  B.       1636.    geyn]  ageyn  B. 
1637.  2nd  ageyn]  geyn  R.       1638.    ist  Wo]  Who  R. 

1642.   thoruhout]  thoruh  H,  R,  R  3,  thurh  J,  H  5,  through  P. 


BK.  VIl] 


Tokens  of  the  Fall  of  Jerusalem 


Bete  he  was  for  his*  afFray  ful  ofte, 

Whippid,  scoorgid  eendlong  &  upriht,  1644 

Al-wer-it  so  he  felte  [it]  ful  vnsofte, 

Was  hi  betyng  maad  feynt  &  feeble  of  myht, 

He  stynte  nat  to  crie  so  day  &  niht, 

A  pronostik  shewyng  to  the  cite,  1648 

How  that  riht  soone  it  sholde  destroied  be. 

Be  rehersaile  also  of  Carnotence, 

With  that  cite  for  synwe  it  stood  so  tho, 

That  yif  Romeyws  be  marcial  violence  1652 

Hadde  nat  komen  &  doon  hem  al  this  wo. 

The  erthe  sholde  han  opnid  &  ondo, 

Deuoured  the  peeple,  void  of  al  refuge, 

Or  drowned  the  town  be  sum  sodeyn  deluge.         1656 

Breefli  to  passe,  this  vewgauwce  most  terrible 

Doon  upon  lewes  for  ther  transgressiouw. 

For  ther  demerites  the  puwshyng  most  horrible. 

Of  Iherusalem  fynal  subuersioun,  1660 

Of  the  temple,  tabernacle  &  touw. 

In  losephus,  who  list  seen  al  the  deede,  — 

De  hello  ludaico,  the  surplus  he  may*  reede.         1663 

^  Explicit  liber  Septimi/s. 

1643.   his]  this  B,  R  3,  H  5.       1645.   it]  om.  R,  J,  H  5,  P. 
1651.   for  synne]  OOT.  R.       1655.   peeplis  H. 
1663.  he  may  the  surplus  B. 


821 

Although  he 
was  often 
beaten  for  his 
clamour,  he 
did  not  cease 
to  cry  day 
and  night. 


And  John  of 
Salisbury  said 
that  it 

then  stood  so 
with  the  city 
for  sin,  that 
if  the  Romans 
had  not  come, 
the   earth 
would  have 
opened  and 
swallowed  it. 

But  you  can 
read  all  about 
the  end  of 
Jerusalem  in 
Josephus. 


BOOK  VIII 


12 


^  Incipit  Prologus  libri  octaui, 

BOCHJS  makth  heer  an  exclamaciouw:  [p.  363] 
Ageyn  the  lewes  gret  vnkywdenesse 
Rouht  be  the  Romeyws,  \)er  cite  &  \ier  touw, 
Lich  as  the  stori  did  heer-toforn  expresse,  —  4 

Thei  disparpiled  to  lyue  in  wrechchidnesse, 
Bi  Goddes  hand  punshed  for  ther  outrage. 
For  euere  [to]  lyue  in  tribut  &  seruage. 

Folwyng  myn  auctowr,  I  caste  for  to  touche  8 

So  as  I  can,  rehersyng  the  maneere 

How  lohn  Bochas  liggyng  on  his  couche 

Spak  to  hymsilfF  &  saide  as  ye  shal  heere, 

"  Whi  artow  now  so  dul  of  look  &  cheere, 

Lik  a  man,  thi  face  berth  witnesse, 

That  hym  disposeth  to  lyue*  in  idilnesse?  '* 

"Certis,"  quod  lohn,  "I  tak[e]  riht  good  keep, 

Of  myche  trauaile  that  the  outrage 

Hath  be  long  slombre  cast  me  in  a  sleep. 

My  lymys  feeble,  crokid  &  feynt  for  age. 

Cast  in  a  dreed,  for  dulnesse  of  corage, 

For  to  presume  vpon  me  to  take 

Of  the  eihte  book  an  eende  for  to  make." 

"Thow  wenist  parauwtir  in  thyn  oppynyouw 
Bi  this  labour  to  gete  the  a  name, 
For  to  reherse  the  sodeyw  fallyng  dou«. 
And  be  sum  newe  processe  for  to  attame, 
Of  princes*  sittyng  hih  in  the  Hous  of  Fame, 
In  dyuers  bookis,  wher  thou  maist  hem  fywde, 
Perpetuelly  to  putte  thi  name  in  mywde. 

3.  \>er  (both)']  J)e  R.      4.   the]  their  H. 

7.  to]  om.  R. 

12.  now]  om.  R,  J. 

14.   lyuen  B,  R. 

17.   Hath]  hast  H. 

26.  princes]  Princessis  B,  J,  P. 


Bochas 
exclaims 
against  the 
great  unkind- 
ness  done  to 
the  Jews  by 
the  Romans,  in 
punishment  by 
God's  hand  for 
their  outrages. 


Afterwards, 
lying  on  his 
bed  he  spoke 
to  himself, 
asking,    "Why 
are  you  so  dull 
and  idle?" 


16 


20 


24 


"Certainly," 
said  John,  "it 
seems  to  me 
that  the 
weariness  of 
great  labour 
has  overcome 
me.     I  am  old, 
and  dread  to 
take  up  the 
task  of  finishing 
the  Eighth 
Book." 

"Perhaps  you 
think  you  can 
get  yourself  a 
name  by  this 
labour,  and  in 
some  new 
manner  enter 
the  House  of 
Fame. 


28 


823 


824 


John  Bochas  and  Lady  Slouthe 


[bK.    VIII 


'ing°jl>7'!l?e"'  '^'^'  A:nci  sliorte  puttc  the  in  gret[e]  dreed 

to  few,  that 
you   are  dis- 
couraged.    Re- 
member that 
when  men  arc 

the'earth^thcre  Atiiowg  remcj/jbrvng,  thy?ik  on  this  langage 
bu"of'"^d''     Whan  men  be  buried  lowe  in  the  crth 

living. 


Of  swich  a  hibour  to  take  the  passage, 
The  mor  feeble  the  slowerc  is  thi  speed, 
Thi*  sihte  dirkid;   &  thou  art  falle  in  age; 


"Worldly 
goods  shall 
pass,    wealth 
and  knowledge 
shall  be  for- 
gotten,   friend- 
ship changes 
like  the  moon; 
but  a  good 
name  left 
behind  exceeds 
all  riches. 


an  men  be  buried  lowe  in  tiie  ertne  doun, 
Sauf  of  good  lyuyng,  farwecl  al  guerdou^r. 

Worldli  goodis  shal  passe,  &  that  riht  soone, 
Tresour,  kun[n]y?!g  and  al  shal  out  of  niy^/de; 
Frenshcp  chaungeth  as  doth  the  cloudi  moone; 
At  a  streiht  neede  fewe  freendis  men  do  fynde. 
But  a  good  name  whan  it  is  lefFt  behynde 
Passeth  al  richesse,  yif  it  be  weel  diss^rued, 
And  al  gold  in  coffre  lokkid  &  cons^ruyd. 


•Tour  labour    Of  thi  labour,  the  same  shal  wexe  derk; 

too  shall  grow  '  ' 

^}^'\      ,       Bewar  Bocha/,  &  heerof  tak  good  heed." 

" bloth  spoke  i^,  ^  1  111 

to  me  and        " Slouthe  spak  to  me,  and  bad  me  leue  werk: 
to  labour:  'for   For  a  smal  reward  thou  shalt  haue  for  \A  meede, 
shaU  bHrnaii.'"  As  bc  exau?nple  thou  maist  othir  reede." 

This  was  the  langage,  I  hadde  therof  routhe, 
Atween  lohn  Bochaj  and  this  ladi  Slouthe. 


Bochas  hung 
bis  head  and 
was  perplexed, 
knowing 


Bochas  astoned,  gan  doun  his  hed  enclyne, 

Vpon  his  pilwe  lay  hangyng  in  a  traunce, 

Stoode  in  gret  doute,  koude  nat  determyne, 

Lik  a  man  hangyng  in  ballaunce, 

To  what  parti  he  sholde  his  penne  auaunce 

To  proceede  as  he  vndirtook, 

Or  leue  the  labour  of  his  eihte  book. 


not  what  to 
do,    when 
Francis 
Petrarch,    the 
laureate  poet, 
came  and  sat 
down  at  his 
bedside. 


3a 


36 


40 


44 


48 


52 


56 


Atwix[e]  tweyne  abidyng  thus  a  while, 

What  was  to  doone  in  doute  he  gan  fleete, 

HalfF  withynne  &  half  ouer  the  stile, 

Koude  nat  discerne  to  hym  what  was  most  meete,  60 

Til  Fraunceis  Petrak,  the  laureat  poete, 

Crownid  with  laurer,  grace  was  his  gide, 

Cam  and  set  hym  doun  bi  his  beddis  side. 


32.  Thl]TheB,  R,J,  R3,P. 

33.  this]  thi  R. 

40.  name]  Fame  H.        49.  this]  ^t  H. 

50.  inclyne  R,  declyne  H.       52.   in]  in 

53.  in  abalaunce  R,  in  a  ballance  H  5. 

S8.  What]  That  R  —  to  Heete  R,  J. 

63.  bed  side  H. 


a  R. 


BK.   VIIl] 


Francis  Petrarch  and  Bochas 


825 


And  as  Boch^j  out  of  his  slombre  abraide  64 

And  gaw  adawen  suwwhat  of  his  cheere, 

And  sauh  Petrak,  lowli  to  hym  he  saide: 

"Wolkome  maister,  crownid  with  laureer, 

Which  han  Itaille  lik  a  sunwe  cleer  68 

With  poetrie,  pleynli  to  descryue, 

Most  soueraywH  enlumyned  hi  your*  lyue,  — 

I  haue  desired,  as  it  is  weel  kouth, 

Of  riht  hool*  herte  be  humble  attendaunce,  72 

To  doon  you  worshep  fro*  my  tendre  youth, 

And  so  shal  euere,  void  of  al  variauwce, 

Duryng  my  lyfF;  for  treuli  in  substauwce 

Ye  haue*  been  lanterne,  liht  and  direcciouw  76  > 

Ay  to  supporte  myn  ocupaciouw. 

As  in  writyng  bookis  to  compile, 

CheefF  exauwplaire  to  my  gret  auauntage. 

To  refourme  the  rudnesse  of  my  stile  80 

Wit^  aureat  colours  of  your  fressh  langage. 

But  now  forduUid  be  impotence  of  age, 

Of  decrepitus  markid  with  many  a  signe, 

My  labour  up  of  writyng  I  resigne.  84 

I  cast[e]  me  nat  ferther*  to  proceede,  [p.  364] 

Stonde  at  abay  fordryue  with*  werynesse." 
Quod  Franseis  Petrak,  "leese  nat  thus  thi  meede: 
Yif  men  no  cause  to  reporte  nor  expresse,  88 

In  thi  laste  age  thou  hast  fouwde  a  maistr^sse 
Which  hath  the  bridled  in  sooth  (&  ^at  is  routhe) 
And  halt  thi  rene,  and  she  is  callid  Slouthe. 


An  euident  tokne  of  froward  slogardie, 
Vpon  thi  bed  thi  lymes  so  to  dresse. 
Ris  up!  for  shame!  for  I  ca«  weel  espie. 
Folk  that  can  grone  &  feele  no  seeknesse, 
Ther  chaumbirleyn  is  callid  Idilnesse, 
Which  leith  thi  pilwe  at  euen  &  at  morwe, — 
Void  hir  fro  the,  and  let  hir  go  wit^  sorwe! 


92 


96 


At  this  Bochas 
started  up  and 
said,  "Wel- 
come, Master, 
who,  like  a 
bright  sun, 
illumined 
Italy  with 
poetry. 


"From  my 
tender  youth  I 
have  done  you 
worship.     You 
have  been  my 
guide  and 
example. 


reforming  the 
rudeness  of  my 
style  with  your 
fresh  language. 
"But  now  I 
am  grown  old 


and  stand  at 
bay,  oppressed 
by  weariness." 
Said   Petrarch, 
"Do  not  lose 
your  reward 
thus.    Men 
will  say,  in 
your  old  age 
you  found  a 
mistress.  Sloth, 
who  bridled 
you. 

"Get  up;    I 

know  people 
who  groan 
when  they  feel 
no  illness. 
Your  hand- 
maiden is  idle- 
ness, 


68.  han3  shan  R.      70.  your]  hir  B. 

72.  riht  hool]  rihtful  B,  R. 

73.  fro]  for  B.       76.   han  B. 

85.  ferther]  foorth  B,  R,  P,  forth  J. 

86.  with]  for  B,  R,  J. 

90.  &]  in  R,  om.  H.      92.  froward]  rowarde  H. 

97.  thi]t)eH. 


826  Petrarch's  Advice  to  John  Bochas  [bk.  viii 

a!lur!i'ry"°"aii  To  al  vcftu  iTiost  ffoward  &  contraryc 

virtue  «nd  hai    J^  IclilllCSSC  llCCf  ill   tllis  DlCSeilt  Iv'ff,  lOO 

drawn  )"ou  ,     .  '  "... 

•way  from  your  Wliicli  Hatli  tlic  diawc  awcy  fio  till  libiaric, 
W  il  the  nat  siirtre  to  be  co;;tewplatiff"; 
For  liir  condicioun  is  to  liolde  strifF 
With  euery  vertuous  occupaciou?!,  104 

Which  men  sholde  voide  of  wisdam  &  resouw. 


"Arouse  yourself 
and  open  your 
eyes! 

"Remember  the 
Book  of  the 
Life  Solitary, 
which  teaches 
virtue,  and, 
as  I  said 
before,  look  up 
and  get  out  of 
bed.     Are  you 
goine  to  stop 
at  the  Seventh 
Book? 


In  this  mateer  what  sholde  I  longe  tarye?  — 

Leff  thi  slonibre  and  up  thyn  eyen  dresse! 

The  book  I-maad  of  lyfF[e]  solitarye,  108 

Reme/nbre  theron,  the  which  in  sekirnesse 

Techeth  the  weie  of  vertuous  besynesse, 

Bi  and  bi,  who  list  reede  eueri  lyne, 

Of  contemplacioun  moral  and  dyuyne.  112 

As  I  seide  erst,  yit  IefFt[e]  up  thi  look, 

Forsak  thi  bed,  rys  up  anon,  for  shame! 

Woldestow  reste  now  on  thyn  seuent  book. 

And  leue  the  eihte.?  in  sooth  thou  art  to  blame!     116 

Proceede  forth  and  gete  thi-silf  a  name. 

And  with  o  thyng  do  thi-silf  conforte: 

As  thou  disseruest,  men  aftir  shal  reporte. 

to'dTrkn^s,'^*^'  Maak  a  comparisou[n]  tween  dirknesse  &  liht,        120 
hTTrenow'n      Tween  Idilnesse  and  Occupacioun, 
virtuous  in-      Twcctt  fairc  daies  and  the  cloudi  niht, 

dustry  to  sloth,  rj-y  ■,  i   i  -i 

Iween  a  coward  prowesse  and  hih  renouw, 
Tween  vertuous  spech  and  fals  detraccioun;  124 

And  to  conclude,  all  vices  to  represse, 
Contrarye  to  slouthe  is  vertuous  besynesse. 

r'en"'^s"things    Vcrtuous  bcsyncssc,  O  Bochas,  tak  good  heed, 

of  old  antiquity  Renveth  alle  thynges  off  old  antiquite,  128 

and  causes  men  -.,  i  r  •        i-iii 

to  live  after      Maketh  men  to  lyuen  aftir  thei  be  ded. 

All  were  gone    Remembrcth  the  noblesse  of  many  gret  cite; 

had  it  not  been   »       i  •  »  i 

for  writers.       And  ne  wcr  writers,  al  wer  goon,  parde. 

Wherfor,  Bochas,  sith  thou  art  nih  the  lond,  132 

SufFre  nat  thi  ship  to  stumble  on  no  sond. 


"Co 


103. 
109. 
IIS. 

119. 

125. 
128. 
133. 


to]  for  toH.       105.   voide]  use  H,  R3. 

sekirnesse]  siknesse  H. 

on]  at  H.       1 16.   eihte]  eihte  book  R. 

shall  afftir  H. 

to]  om.  H.       126.   is]  &  H. 

Renewith  R,  J,  R  3,  H  5. 

no]  the  R,  J,  P. 


108.   bookis  H. 


BK.  viii^  Petrarch's  Advice  to  John  Bochas 


827 


I  meene  as  thus:  the  shipp  of  thi  trauaille, 
Which  hath  passid  the  se  of  bookis  seuene. 
Cast  nat  anker  til  thou  ha  good  ryuaille! 
Lat  no  tempest  of  thundir,  reyw  nor  leuene, 
Nor  no  wyndis  of  the  cloudi  heuene, 
Nor  no  fals  ianglyng  of  demeres  that  wil  blyue 
Depraue  thi  labour,  let  thi  shipp  taryue. 

Haste  on  thi  way,  lat  Grace  crosse  J)i  saille, 
Fall  on  no  sond  of  wilful  necligence, 
Lat  good[e]  will  be  cheef  of  thi  couwsaille. 
To  guye  thi*  rother  set  enteer  dilligence; 
Yif  vitaille  faille  &  wyn  to  thi  dispense, 
Yit  at  the  laste,  thynk,  for  thi  socoz^r 
Sum  roial  prince  shal  quyte  thi  labour. 


136 


140 


144 


148 


Thynk,  be  writyng  auctowrs  did  ^^er  peyne 

To  yiue  princis  ther  komendaciouns, 

To  Remus,  Romulus  callid  foundours  tweyne 

Of  Rome  town;  &  of  too  Scipiouws 

Thei  wrot  the  knihthod,  prudence  of  too  Catouws,  152 

Of  lulius,  Pompeye  &  Hanybal  eek  also, 

Bexauwple  of  whom  looke  that  thou  so  do. 


"The  ship  of 
your  labour 
has  passed  the 
sea  of  seven 
books;  do  not 
cast  anchor 
until  you  have 
come  to  port. 


"Hasten  on 
your  way,  let 
Grace  set  your 
sail  and  Good- 
will be  chief 
of  your 
counsel;  and 
at  the  last, 
some  royal 
prince  will 
reward  your 
labour. 


"Writers  have 
done  their  pain 
to  commend 
princes 


Of  prophetis  thei  wrot  the  prophecies 

And  the  noblesse  of  olde  Moises,  156 

Of  poetis  the  laureat  poesies. 

The  force  of  Samson,  the  strengthe  of  Hercules; 

Of  two  Grekis,  Pirrus  and  Achilles, 

Bi  ther  writyng  —  bookis  sey  the  same  —  160 

Into  this  day  endureth  yit  the  name. 

And  he  that  can  and  ceseth  for  to  write 

Notable  exaumples  of  our  predecessoMts, 

Of  envie  men  wil  hym  atwite,  164 

That  he  in  gardyns  leet  p^rshe  l)e  holsuw  flours 

In  sondry  caas  that  myhte  do  gret  socowrs. 

Laboure  for  othir,  &  spare  nat  thi  trauaille; 

For  vertuous  labour  geyn  slouthe  mai  most  auaille.  168 


and  to  write 
the   prophecies 
of  prophets 
and  the 
laureate 
poesy  of  poets. 


"And  he  who 
can  and  does 
not  write  the 
notable  deeds 
of  our  prede- 
cessors will  be 
censured  by 
men. 


135.   passidj  om.  H. 

144.   thi]  the  B,  R,  J.       145.   expence  H.       151.   &]  om.  R. 

152.  the]  om.  R  —  &  prudence  H. 

153.  eek  also]  too  H. 

154.  whom]  them  H.       162.   and]  om.  R. 
166.   gret]  om.  H. 


828         John  Lydgate  also  proceeds  in  his  Labour       [^bk.  viii 

trAi/ofr"^"      A  thyng  remembrld  of  antiquite,  [p*  3^5] 

prince  or  per-    j^  \vha;;  tlicT  is  sct  a  fulf  iiiiace 

son  who  IS  -  1   •  I  111 

de«a  quickens    Qf  a  pniicc  of  hill  Of  loiih  tlccre; 

the  heart  of  his  r\        r  r  i  •         • 

friend;  KjT  01  a  pcfsone  a  prcent  or  his  visage  173 

Gladeth  his  freend,  quykcth  his  corage; 
And  semblabli  bexaiunple  men  may  fynde 
Thynges  forgetyn  be  writyng  come  to  myrzde. 

Mmemamicr     ^"'^  ^^^  ^^  make  OUT  names  perdurable,  176 

forKottcn  y\,i(i  our  iiicrites  to  putten  in  memorie, 

merits  may  be  .  »  ' 

put  in  mind  by  \  iccs  tcschewe,  in  vertu  to  be  stable, 
end  of  our        That  labouie  may  of  slouthe  haue  the  victorie, 
voted^o  ctrist  To  clcyme  a  see  in  the  heuenli  consistorie  —  180 

^"""  Despiht  of  idilnesse  &  foorthryng  of  v^rtu  — 

Fyn  of  our  labour  be  youe  to  Crist  \es\x." 

hlTdonc""^    CI  Whan  Petrak  hadde  rehersid  this  lessoun 

speaking.  Bochas  jfj  rebukyng  of  vicious  idilnesse,  184 

arose  and  -ni-ii  ir 

sharpened  his    Bochas  supprised  and  meued  of  resouw, 

pen.     V\ill  had    .p,  _  ,  .  ,  .  .  , 

overcome  the     Koos  irom  his  couchc,  gan  his  penne  dresse. 
^M  eness  o       Will  ouercaui  thympotent  feeblessc 

Of  crokid  age,  that  Boch^j  vndirtook  188 

For  tacomplisshe  up  his  eihte  book. 

LydgaU!"*^"     I  folwyng  aftir,  fordullid  with  rudnesse, 
foiiowine  after,  ]\/[or  than  thrc  score  yeeris  set  my  date, 

unskilled  and  .■:.■...      ^         , 

more  than        Lust  of  youthc  passid  [with]  his  Iresshnesse;  192 

years  old,         Colours  of  rcthotik  to  helpe  me  translate 
bright  roiours^  Wer  fadid  awey:  I  was  born  in  Lidgate, 
FaVed:-""        Wher  Bachus  licowr  doth  ful  scarsli  fleete, 

My  drie  soule  for  to  dewe  &  weete.  196 

Lydg'att°  wh'e°e  Thouh  pallid  age  hath  fordullid  me, 
B^^ch'^s^  °f      Tremblyng  ioyntes  let  myn  hand  to  write, 
iiquor  flows.      And  fro  me  take  al  the  subtilite 

Fordulled  by       ^~  »  .  ,  •      t       i-      i  i* 

age,  I  shau       Ut  coHOUs  makyng  in  Inglissh  to  endite,  —  aoo 

ubour.  '°  ""^   Yit  in  this  labour  treuli  me  taquite 
I  shal  proceede,  as  it  is  to  me  dewe. 
In  thes  too  bookis  Bochas  for  to  sewe. 

f  Explicit  prologus  libri  Octaui. 


172.  Or]  of  H  —  2nd  a^  Jje  H.       174.  semblaly  R. 
175.   Cometh  R.       190.   with]  for  R. 
191.   yeeris]  of  yeer«  H.       192.   with]  om,  R,  J,  P,  H  5. 
196.  to  dewe]  ta  dew  H. 


BK.   VIIl] 


Domitian,  a  had  Emperor 


829 


^  Incipit  liber  octauus. 

[How  the  proude  tiraunt  Domytyan  Emperour  of 
Rome,  and  many  other  Emperours  &  nobles  for 
ther  outrages  &  wrecchidnesse  mischeuesly 
ended.3  ^ 


B 


ROTHER  to*  Titus,  sone  of  Vespasian,   [p. 367] 
Cam  next  in  ordre,  as  writ  myn  auctowr,        205 
The  proude  awbicious  callid  Domyciaw, 
And  was  in  Roome  crownid  emperowr;  — 
An  extorsioneer  and  a  fals  pillowr,  208 

Proudli  comauwdid,  in  his  estat  up  stallid. 
Of  al  the  world  he  sholde  a  god  be  callid. 

Thoruh  hih  presumpciouw,  of  hym  it  is  eek  told, 

Nouther  of  tymber  koruen  nor  of  ston,  212 

Set  up  images  of  siluer  and  of  gold. 

In  tokne  ther  was  no  god  but  he  allon. 

Into  Pathmos  he  exiled  eek  Seynt  Ihon, 

And  ageyn  Cristene  the  seconde  next  Nerouw,       216 

That  began  first  the  persecucioun. 

This  same  tirauwt,  regnywg  in  his  estat, 

To  alle  the  cite  was  passyng  odious; 

Best  &  most  worthi  he  slouh  of  the  Senat,  220 

And  onto  all  that  wer[e]  vertuous 

Mortal  enmy,  and  most  malicious. 

And  for  slauhtre  of  senatowrs  in  the  touw 

Axed  the  tryuwphe,  as  maad  is  menciouw.  224 

Made  among  lewes  be  ful  gret  outrage, 

Wher-as  he  hadde  grettest  suspeciouw, 

To  slen  all  tho  that  wer  of  the  lynage 

OfF  Dauid  kynreede  or  kywg  Salamoun,  228 

List  he  wer  put  out  off  domynaciouw 

Among[es]  lewes;  this  was  his  meenywg,  — 

Slouh  all  tho  that  wer  born  to  be  kyng. 


Domitian  was 
an    extortioner 
and  pillager, 
who  com- 
manded men 
to  call  hira 
god  of  all 
the  world. 


He  set  up 
silver  and 

golden   images 
of  himself  and 
exiled  St.  John 
to  the  Isle  of 
Patmos. 


He  was  odious 
to  all  Rome, 
slew  senators 
and  was  an 
enemy  to 
virtuous 
people. 


He  killed  all 
the  Jews  of 
the  line  of 
David  and 
Solomon, 


204.  to3  of  B  —  of]  to  H, 

211.  is]  om.  H. 

221.  onto]  to  H. 

225.  among]  of  H. 

228.  or]  or  of  H,  R  3,  P,  of  J. 

229.  domynacioun]  pocessioun  H,  R  3. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  150  verso. 


830  The  End  of  Domitian.     Commodus  [JBK.  viii 

and  IS  Gc^      Amyd  his*  paleis,  as  God  wolde  of  riht  233 

riKhtly  wishcJ      i-»       '   i  ■  o  •  l  I   •  J 

to  punish  him,   runslie  a  tirau//t  &  quiten  nym  his  nieede, 

one*nil;hVin      Tlils  Domycian  was  slayn  vpon  a  niht, 

ConTm^uj.       His  kareyn  aftir  vnburied,  as  I  reed. 

who  «ucc«Jcd.  q  ^^j  Comodus  doth  aftir  hym  succeede,  236 

was  given  ■*  .  . 

wholly  to  his     Which  was  al  youe  be  flesshh  appetit 
tites.  To  leue  al  vertu  &  folwe  his  fals  deht. 

A«  was  then      Theatre  pleyes  of  custum  he  did  vse, 

the  custom,  he       ,  ,  i  o       i 

habitually         As  was  the  custum  ther  &  the  vsage;  240 

pra"yV°and"'^'  His  Hff  in  vices  hc  falsH  did  abuse, 

fi^mosT  viJtu-  In  lecherous  lustis  dispente  al  his  young  age, 

0U8  senators,     'p^  ^.].,g  Romcyws  did  ful  gret  damage: 

For  of  the  Senat  that  wer  most  virtuous,  244 

Wer  falsli  slay[e]n  hi  this  Comodus. 
During  his        In  his  tymc  be  strook  of  thundirdent 

time  the  public    .       ,    /-         i-i  i  i  r  l 

library  was       And  hry  lihtny^g  that  caw  doun  rrow  heuene, 
lightnml:.    ^     The  comoun  librarye  was  of  the  cite  brent,  248 

strangled  V"  ^^' ^^^^  ''^'^^  hoo\i\&  of  al  the  craftis  seuene, 
his  concubine,    gookis  of  poctis  mo  tha?i  I  can  neuene. 
And  Comodus,  breefli  to  termyne. 
Was  slayn  and  stranglid  bi  his  concubyne.  252 

Heivius  Pert.-    ^  Helmus  Pcrtynax  cam  next  on  the  ryng, 
next  on  the  ring.  Ordeyned  aftir  emperoMr  of  that  toun, 
unwieid/and     Old  &  vnwecldi,  slayn  in  his  gynnyng. 
soon  slain.        AfFtir  whow,  the  book  makth  mencioun,  256 

Be  no  title  of  successioun, 
^  But  an  intrusowr,  oon  callid  lulian, 
Thestat  vsurpyng  to  regne  ther  began. 
Julian,  a  g^.  ^f  |.},g  noblc  lynage  Affrican,  260 

usurper,  lol-  _  ... 

lowed,  and  he    Bom  in  Tripolis,  a  myhti  gret  cite, 

was  killed  m  i  i       -i     l* 

battle  by         Oon  beuerus,  that  was  a  knihtli  man, 

Severus,  born       /^      i        i       r  t>  j 

of  the  line  of    Gadted  ot  Romeyns  a  wonder  gret  meyne. 

caL^'us.'^"'       Bothe  maad  strong,  lulian  mette  &  he  264 

At  Fount  Melyn,  a  cite  of  Itaille, 
And  ther  was  lulyan  slay[e]n  in  bataille. 

Fired  by  malice,  ^  Scuerus  aftir  cntrid  the  empire 

w^a^rdTpe^r^^     And  took  upon  hym  the  domynacioun,  268 

Chrittia'irs.        Vpon  Cristene,  of  malis  sette  affire. 
Began  ageyn  hem  a  persecucioun 

232.   his]  the  B,  R,  J.       238.   fals]  om.  H.       247.   fire  R. 
253.   Helmus]  Elius  P,  Helinus  R  3.       259.   ther]  thai  R. 
262.  knihtli]  lykly  R. 

265.   pount  Moleyn  H,  pount  meleyn  J,  poyunt  Mellian  R,  pont 
Miluian  P. 


BK.  viii3      Severus,  Antoninus,  Macrinus,  Aurelius 


831 


276 


280 


Of  tirannye  and  fals  ambicioun; 

^  But  oon  of  Egipt  callid  Poscennyus  272 

Ageyw  Seuerus  began  to  werke  thus: 

Gadred  meyne  Seuerus  for  tassaile, 
In  purpos  fuUi,  &  theron  dide  his  peyne, 
First  with  hym  to  haue  a  gret  bataille, 
Next  of  thempire  the  crowne  for  tatteyne. 
But  ye  shal  heere  what  fill  of  thes  tweyne: 
On  Poscenwyus  fill  the  disconfiture, 
And  Seuerus  thempire  doth  recure. 

In  his  purpos  or  he  myht  auaille, 

V^ith  oon  Albynus,  that  was  a  manli  kniht, 

He  hadde  [in]  Gaule  a  ful  gret  bataille; 

Ful  gret[e]  blood  shad  in  that  mortal  fiht,  284 

Albynus  slayn  of  v^rray  force  &  myht. 

Seuervs  aftir  entrid  in  Breteyne, 

Kauht[e]  seeknesse  &  deide  of  the  peyne. 

^  Aftir  Seuerus  next  caw  Antonyne,       [p.  368]      288 

Of  whom  the  froward  disposicioun, 

As  alle  auctours  of  hym  determyne,  — 

His  besynesse  and  occupaciouw 

Set  hool  in  flesshli  delectaciouw,  292 

So  fals  a  lust  his  corage  did  assaille,  — 

Among[es]  Parthois  slay[e]n  in  bataille. 

^  Macrinvs  aftir  tofor  Boch^j-  caw  doun, 

Whilom  a  prefect  in  Roome  the  cite,  296 

Of  the  Pretoire,  and  be  invacioun 

Cam  to  the  imperial  famous  dignite, 

Ocupied  a  yeer,  sat  in  his  roial  see, 

Til  Fortune  list  hym  to  disgrade,  300 

Among  his  knihtis  slayn  at  Archelade. 

^  Next  caw  Aurelius  surnamyd  Antonyne, 

A  gret  ribaud  &  passyng  lecherous, 

Yit  was  he  bisshop,  as  auctOMrs  determyne,  304 

In  the  temple  of  Aliogobolus. 

And  in  his  tyme  was  oon  Sabellius, 

A  fals  heretik,  of  whom*  ga«  the  names  ' 

Of  a  sect  callid  Sebellianes.  308 

272.  Pescennius  P.       273.   to]  l)e  H.       281.   his]  this  H. 

286.  Briteyn  H. 

292.  hool]  holly  R.       295.   Macrinvs]  Marcyus  H,  R  3. 

304.  he]  the  R.       305.   Eliagabolus  H,  R  3,  Heliogabalus  H  5. 

307.  when  B. 


and  was 
attacked  by 
Pescennius 
Niger,  whom, 
however,  he 
defeated. 


He  also  fought 
in  Gaul  and 
defeated  and 
slew  Albinus. 
He  then  went 
to  Britain, 
where  he  died 
of  disease. 


Antoninus 
next    ap- 
peared — 
a  wicked  man 
whose  whole 
business  and 
occupation  was 
fleshly  delight. 


He  was  slain 
in  battle  by 
the    Parthians. 
Macrinus,  who 
succeeded    An- 
toninus, 
reigned  one 
year  and 
was  then  killed 
by  his  soldiers. 


The  emperor 
Antoninus 
Aurelius  was  a 
passing  lecher- 
ous ribald, 
although  a 
bishop;  and  in 
his  time  the 
Sabellian  sect 


832  Marcus  Aurdius,  Maxinius  [bk.  viii 

uted'gofcj'eir  ***  This  said  Aureliiis,  ngeyn[e]s  al  norture,* 
vui*t'r'°'  ^^  '^'^'^  prcsu;;!pciou?:,  in  bookis  it  is  told, 
purpote*.  which  Woldc  Hat  Dource  his  womb  bi  nature, 

w»8  contrary  to  „         .  n-        1  1      r        i  1 

good  hrcedins;  Ijut  111  vcsselhs  that  wct  maacl  or  gold;  312 

knightj^lcw"  And  in  dcsplht[c],  whan  that  he  wex  old, 

•^'^•thi^wr''  Slayn  off  his  knihtis,  &  nat  aftir  longe 

despite.''^'^''  '"  H'S  cateyn  was  throwen  in  a  gonge. 

Niircu^sAurdT.'  ^  ^ftit  this  ptoudc  foFseid  Antonyne,  316 

was  elected       Into  thempirc  be  iust  eleccioun 

emperor  by  the  ^^  i         i  •       i 

?,«^"»?«;      ,      Or  senatowrs,  as  bookis  determyne. 

He  defeated  i-  o     r        i   •      i   -i 

Xerxes,  king  of  Lam  AuFclivs,  &  lor  his  hih  renoun 

when''he"5at  in  Sumamyd  Alisaundfe,  as  maad  is  mencioun.  320 

judgment.         p^^jj^^  ^^j^j^  Persiens  lik  a  manli  kniht. 

And  ther  kyng  Xerses  he  put  vnto  Jje  fliht. 

mad'rthrce"      ^his  Autelius,  this  prudent  knihtli  maw, 

books  of  Whan  he  sat  iuge  in  the  consistorie,  324 

Digests,  sat  P  ii-j  -171     • 

with  him.  1  her  sat  oon  with  hym  caliid  Vlpian, 

A  gret  cyuylien  notable  of  memorie. 
Of  whom  it  is  to  his  encres  of  glorie 
Reported  thus,  be  gret  auctorite  328 

He  of  Digestis  made  bookis  thre. 

kiVhisiifV^''"'  Ful  pitousli  this  emperowr  lost  his  lyff, 
by  accident  in   CasucH,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 

a  tight  among  i  •      i      -i  j  •  i  rr 

his  soldiers.       Among  his  knihtifj  bi  a  sodeyn  stryrr,  332 

Wher  he  was  slayn  in  that  discencioun. 
Aftir  whos  eende,  for  short  conclusioun, 
Tofor  Bochas,  the  book  weel  telle  can,  it 

Cam  Maxymyni^j*  &  with  hym  Gordian.  336 

!^af  c'ho^en'^''"  ^  Maxymynus*,  the  cronicle  doth  expresse, 
emperor  by  his  Chose  of  his  knihtis  &  his  soudiowrs 

knights,  was  .  .  •    i  i  -i 

afterwards  a      For  his  victotious  marciai  hih  prowesse 

bitter  enemy  of  _^  •        a  i  •  o 

the  Christians,   Doon  iti  Almaignc,  &  among  emperowrs  340 

Set  up  in  Roome,  maugre  the  senatowrs. 
Afftir  strong  enmy,  as  myn  auctowr  seith, 
With  al  his  poweer  onto  Cristes  feith. 


309.   norture]  nature  B,  R,  J. 

312.   gold]  puTif  golde  H. 

325.  Wlpian  R.      329.   He  of]  OfF  the  R. 

331.   is  made  H. 

336,  37.   Maxymynus]  Maxynymw/  B,  J,  Maximymus  R,  Max- 

ymyns  H,  R  3. 
343,  With]  Was  R. 


BK.    VIIl]| 


Gordian  and  the  tzvo  Philips 


833 


He  was  [eek]  enmy,  his  lyfF  who  list  to  seen,  344 

To  cristen  clerkis  of  gret  auctorite, 

And  specialli  to  olde  Origen. 

But  in  his  moste  furious  cruelte, 

In  Aquileia,  a  myhti  strong  contre,  348 

Of  a  prefect  callid  Puppien  he  was  slayw; 

Of  whos  deth  [al]  Cristen  men  wer  fay«. 

^  Next  bi  the  Senat  chose  was  Gordian. 

First  ageyn  Parthois  he  cast  hym  to  werreie;         352 

Of  lanvs  temple  whan  the  werre  gan 

He  made  the  gatis  been  opnid  with  the  keye, 

Which  was  a  tokne,  as  olde  bookis  seye,  — 

Tho  gatis  opnyd,  to  folkis  nih  &  ferr^,  356 

That  with  ther  foon  the  Romeyws  wolde  haue  werr^. 


and    especially 
of  old  Origen; 
and  at  the 
height  of  his 
cruelty  he  was 
slain  by  a 
prefect    named 
Puppien. 


Gordian    made 
war  on  the 
Parthians    and 
opened  the 
gates  of  the 
temple  of 
Janus. 


With  Parthois  first  this  saide  Gordian 

To  holde  werri?  faste  he  gan  hym  speede; 

And  upon  hem  alwey  the  feeld  he  wan.  360 

AfFtir  he  spedde  hym  into  Perse  &  Meede, 

Alwey  victorious  in  bataille,  as  I  reede; 

Vpon  Eufrates  slay[e]n,  as  I  fynde, 

Be  fals  tresouw,  the  cronicle  maketh  mynde.  364 

^  Next  in  ordre  cam  Phelipp  be  his  name, 

His  sone  eek  Phelipp  cam  with  hym  also, 

Myn  auctOMr  Bochas  reherseth  eek  the  same, 

The  fadir,  the  sone  baptised  bothe  too,  368 

Riht  sad  &  wis  in  what  thei  hadde  to  doo. 

And  wer  the  firste  Cristene  of  echon 

EmperoMrs  reknid;  for  ther  toforn  was  now. 

Be  Poncivs  the  martir,  as  I  reede,  [p.  369]  372 

In  Nicea,  a  famous  gret  cite, 

Thei  wer  baptised,  and  aftir  that  in  deede 

Slay«  in  bataille,  for  thei  list  nat  flee. 

Tofor  ther  deth,  both  of  assent,  parde,  376 

Ther  tresowrs  hool,  that  wer  imperiall. 

To  Cristis  cherch,  I  fynde,  thei  gafF  it  all. 


Always  vic- 
torious, he  was 
finally  slain  at 
the  Euphrates 
by  treason. 


Next  in  order 
came  Philip 
and  his  son  of 
the  same 
name.    They 
were  the  first 
Christian  em- 
perors. 


Pontius  the 
Martyr 
baptised  them, 
and  both 
were  slain  in 
battle  because 
they  would  not 
flee.  They  gave 
all  their  wealth 
to  the  church. 


344- 
349. 
357. 
360. 
364. 


eek]  om.  R,  J. 

Purpien  H.       350.    al]  om.  R,  J. 

foon]  Sonne  R. 

the  feeld  he]  he  this  werr^  H. 

tresoun]    resoun    R.       369.   sad] 


J,  P  —  to  doo]  a  doo  H. 


witty    H  —  what]   that 


834 


Ductus,  Gallus,  Volusian 


[bk.   VIII 


and  Bithop 
Sixtui  assijtnrJ 
St.  Laurence  to 
diatrihutc  it 
among  the 
ponr. 

St.  l^urcnce 
was  afterward > 
martyred  by  the 
tyrant 
Deciu*,  who 


also  caused  the 
two  Philips  to 
be  slain  and  by 
his  falsehood 
and  deceit 
became  em- 
peror. 


During  his 
time  St.  An- 
thony lived  on 
fruit  and  roots 
in  the  desert. 


In  punishment 
of  Dccius' 
curseJness    God 
sent  a  terrible 
pestilence  to 
Italy. 


I  will  write  no 
more  about 
him. 

Gallus  and 
Volusian 
reigned  but 
two  years  each; 


The  bisshop  Sixtus  took  poccssioun, 

Vertuousli  assigned  it  to  Laurence 

Tlierof*  to  make  distribucioun 

To  poore  folk  in  ther  indigence; 

For  \vliich[e]  dcede  be  cruel  violence 

\\\c  tiraunt  Decius  agcyn  liyni*  took  a  strifF, 

Made  liooli  Laurence  be  bren[n]y«g  lese  his  lyf. 

This  same  Dccius,  cursid  &  cruell, 

Caused  the  slauhtre  of  thes  Philippis  tweyne; 

And  for  he  was  sotil,  fals  &  fell, 

Be  sleihte  and  falsheed  he  dide  his  besi  peyne 

To  thempire  be  force  for  to  atteyne, 

The  seuente  tiraunt  be  persecucioun 

Which  ageyn  Cristene  took  first  occasioun. 

Myn  aucto//r  writ,  tyme  of  this  Decivs, 

The  hooli  hermyte,  exauwple  of  parfitnesse, 

Be  daies  olde  callid  Antonivs, 

Lyued  in  desert  ferr  out  in  wildirnesse, 

As  an  hermyte  despisyng  al  richesse,  — 

Lyued  be  frut  &  rootis,  as  men  tell, 

And  of  perfeccioun  drank  watir  of  Jie  well. 

Vpon  Decius  for  his  cursidnesse, 

Ageyn  Cristene  which  gaf  so  hard  sentence, 

Thoruh  Roome  and  Itaille,  myn  auctowr  berj) 

witnesse. 
In  eueri  cite  was  so  gret  pestilence, 
That  be  the  sodeyn  dedli  violence, 
The  hertis  of  men,  dependyng  in  a  traunce, 
To  saue  ther  lyues  coude  no  cheuisaunce. 

Of  this  mateer  write  no  mor  I  can; 

To  this  emperowr  I  nil*  resorte  ageyn. 

^  Speke  of  Gallus  and  Volusian, 

That  besi  wern,  ther  labour  was  in  veyn, 

Ther  tyme  but  short,  as  summe  bookis  seyn; 

For  Martyn  writ,  an  old[e]  cronicleer. 

In  thempire  thei  regned  but  too  yeer. 


380 


384 


388 


392 


396 


400 


404 


408 


412 


381.  Therof]  Ther  for  B  —  a  destribuciouw  H. 

384.  hym]  hem,  B,  J,  R. 

385.  brennyng]  brotling  P. 
387.  thes]  \>t  H. 

408.  nil]  vvil  B,  R,  J,  H,  R  3,  H  5,  P.      412.   cronyculeer  R. 

413.  too]  oon  R. 


BK.    VIIl] 


jEmilian,  Gallien,  Valerian 


835 


Bothe  wer  slay[e]n  bi  the  procuryng 

And  bi  the  purchace  of  oon  Emyliaw, 

A  Romeyn  kniht,  [the]  which  be  sHh  werkyng        416 

To  occupie  thempire  tho  began. 

Be  tiranwye  the  lordshipe  ther  he  wan, 

Whos  lordship,  for  lak  of  happ  &  grace. 

No  lenger  laste  than  too  monethes  space.  420 

This  litil  chapitle,  as  toforn  is  seene, 

Rehersid  hath  &  toold  in  woordis  pleyn 

Of  emperoMr[e]s  almost  ful  fourteene; 

And  of  alle  wer  good[e]  non  but  tweyne.  424 

Which  to  reherse  I  haue  do  my  peyne, 

And  to  proceede  ferther,  as  I  gan, 

I  mvt  now  write  of  oon  Valerian. 

HIS  sone  and  he,  callid  Gallien,  428 

To  al  Cristene  bar  gret  enmyte,* 
Slouh  all  tho,  ther  legewde  mew  may  seen, 
That  seruede  Crist  in  trouthe  &  equite. 
Whos  persecucioun  &  hatful  cruelte  432 

Abatid  was,  as  I  can  weel  reherse, 
Bi  oon  Sapor  that  was  kyng  of  Perse. 

Bi  force  of  armys  Sapor,  this  myhti  kywg, 

Gan  in  Asia,  &  with  his  host  cam  doun  436 

Be  Tigre,  Eufrates,  &,  knihtli  so  ridywg 

Toward  the  parties  of  Septemptriouw, 

To  Kaukasus  nat  ferr,  fro  Babilouw; 

And  al  Surrye  he  proudli  did  assaille,  440 

And  Capadoce  he  wan  eek  be  bataille. 

Whom  for  to  meete  caw  douw  Valerian 

To  Mesopotayn  with  many  legiouws. 

The  werre  was  strong;  but  this  knihtli  ma«. 

This  hardi  Sapor,  with  his  champiouws 

The  feeld  hath  won  we  with  al  the  regiouws 

Affor  rehersid;   &  thoruh  Perse  he  ladde 

Valerian  bouwde  with  che[y]nys  round  &  sadde. 

He  was  be  Sapor,  maugre  his  visage. 

This  Valerian,  so  streihtli  brouht  to  wrak, 

Lik  a  prisoneer  bounde  to  this  s^-ruage 

Be  obeissaunce,  that  founde  wer  no  lak,  452 


444 


416.  the]  om.  R,  J,  P,  R  3,  H  5.         419.   happ]  helpe  H. 

420.  moneth  H.         429.    ennyte  B.         430.   legendis  H,  R  3. 

437.  Tigre]  Tire  H.       439.   To]  So  H.        447.    Perse]  om.  R. 

451.  this]  his  H,  R. 


for  both  were 
slain  at  the 
instigation  of  a 
knight  named 
^milian,    who 
himself  was 
emperor  only 
two  months. 


This  little 
chapter   has 
told  of 
fourteen  em- 
perors, of 
whom  but 
two  were 
good. 


Valerian  and 
his  son  Gallien 
were  enemies 
of  the 
Christians; 
but    Valerian's 
cruelty  was 
abated  by 
Sapor,  king  of 
Persia, 


who,  riding 
north  from 
the  Tigris 
and  Euphrates, 
attacked  Syria 
and  the 
Caucasus. 


Valerian  came 
down  to  meet 
him  and  was 
defeated  and 
led  to  Persia 
in  chains. 


448 


where  he 
suffered  the 
indignity  of 
having  to  kneel 
down  and  let 
Sapor  step  on 
his  back 


836  Valerian  humbled  by  Sapor  [bk.  viii 

To  knele  on  fourc  &:  to  profre  his  bale 

Vnto  Sapor  wha?;  liym  list  to  ride,  \ 

Therbi  to  mounte,  for  al  his  gret[e]  pride.  j 

Z^n"^^V      This  was  thoffise  of  Valerian,  [p.  370]   456  I 

mount  his         gg  seruytutc  duryng  many  [a]  yeer;  ] 

Wherfor  he  was  callid  of  many  man 

Thassendyng  stok  into  the  sadil  neer,  j 

Which  is  in  Frensh  callid  a  mou«twcer.  460  j 

This  was  his  ofhs,  to  bowe  dou»  his  corps 
Whan  that  kyng  Sapor  sholde  worl)e  upon  his  hors. 

l^al'l*viy'      This  is  the  guerdoun  &  fauoz/r  of  Fortune,  ! 

Tnd'kin"!"''      ^'"^  ^'*^^  maneer  to  princis  &  to  kyngis,  464  1 

what  happens    Hit  double  custum  vsid  in  comune 

knows.  Be  sodeyn  chaung[e]  of  al  worldli  thynges. 

Aftir  tryumphes  and  ther  uprisinges,  \ 

What  folwith  aftir,  hir  wheel  [weel]  telle  ca«,         468 

I  take  record  of  Valeryan:  ' 

herVif^ckie  to  This  ladi  Fortune,  J^e  blynde  fell  goddesse,  j 

Valerian  and     'f  q  Valerian  shewed  hirsilf  vnstable,  1 

iavourable  to  _  ,  '  j 

Sapor.   Yet  he  Tauhtc  hyni  a  lessoun  of  hir  doubilnesse;  472  1 

WAS  loo  crucllv  i 

vengeabie  to      To  kyng  Sapor  she  was  fauourable.  \ 

soil  the  back  of  t->  •      i  ii-  i  i 

ari  emperor       DUt  yit  he  was  to  cruelu  vcngable, 

IS  eet.    ■^Vith  his  feet,  deuoid  of  al  fauowr,  ■; 

To  soille  the  bak  of  an  emperowr.  476 

r^'etmbefth'if   Of  olde  it  hath  be  songe  &  cried  loude,  — 

and  be  merciful  Record  On  Cirus  &  many  othir  mo,  —  * 

to  their  -'  ' 

prisoners.  Kynges  of  Persc  of  custum  ha[ue]  be  proude, 

Aftir  punshid  an[d]  chastised  eek  also.  480  i 

Princis  of  merci  sholde  tak  heed  herto,  \ 

Aftir  victorie  in  ther  estat  notable 
To  ther  prisoneres  for  to  be  merciable.  J 

knowt\"w°to    Myn  auctowr  Boch^j-  in  this  mateer  weel*  caw      484  1 

rebuke  tyrants,  Rebukc  tiraunt^fj,  that  wer  be  daies  olde; 

says  to   Val-  ^  ^       '  ^  ' 

erian,  "Where   Tumeth  his  stile,  speketh  to  Valerian:  i 

are  your  rubies   <j-,iti  ii  i-o  i-  -ii  ■ 

and  sapphires        V\  her  be  the  rubics  &  saphirs  set  m  golde,  j 

and  rich  pearls?  rr^.  •    i  i      o  r   i  i  I 

1  he  riche  perle  &  rynges  manyrolde  488  ' 

457.  a]  om.  R,  H,  R  3.       458.   many  a  H,  J. 

460.  mounteer  H,  mountver  R  3. 

463.  fauoMr  &  guerdon  R.  ^ 

468.  weel]  om.  R  —  here  wele  telle  I  can  J.  I 

478.  on]  of  H,  R  3.       481.    herto]  eek  hereto  R.  j 

484.  weel]  weel  tell  B,  R,  J  —  only  the  n  in  can  is  written  R.  1 

485.  wer]  om.  H.       487.    the]  thy  H.       488.   The]  \,'i  H.  I 


BK.    VIIl] 


Bochas  rebukes  Valerian 


837 


That  thou  were  wont  [to]  weri?  upon  thyn  hondis  ? 
Now  as  a  wrech  art  bounde  in  foreyn  bondis. 

Wher  thou  wer  wont  of  furious  cruelte, 

Clad  in  purple  withynwe  Roome  toun,  492 

To  Crist  cowtrayre  in  thy«  imperial  see, 

YaiF  doom  on  martirs  to  sufFre  passiouw, — 

Now  listow  bounde  [&]  fetrid  in  prisoun, 

To  kyng  Sapor  constreyned  to  enclyne,  496 

Whan  he  list  ride,  bowe  nek  &  chyne. 

Thus  artow  falle  from  thyn  imperial  stage! 

Think  on  Fortune  and  haue  hir  in  memorie: 

She  hath  the  cast  in  thraldam  &  S(?ruage  500 

And  eclipsed  al  thyn  olde*  glorie. 

Wher  thou  sat  whilom  in  the  consistorie 

As  an  emperoMr  &  a  myhti  iuge. 

List  bounde  in  cheynys  and  knowest  no*  refuge.   504 

^  It  is  ful  ferr  fall  out  of  thi  mynde 

The  knihtli  deede  of  worthi  Publius, 

Of  Roome  a  capteyn,  ordeyned,  as  I  fynde, 

To  fihte  ageyn[es]  Aristomochus,  508 

Kyng  of  Asie;  of  fortune  it  fill  thus: 

Whan  the  Romeyns  dide  the  feeld  forsake, 

This  Publius  among  his  foon  was  take. 

This  noble  prince  stondyng  in  dreedful  caas,  512 

His  lyf,  his  worshep  dependyng  atwen  tweyne, 

In  his  bond  holdyng  a  sturdi  maas, 

Smet  out  oon  of  his  eyen  tweyne 

Of  hym  that  ladde  hym;   the  tothir  for  ^^e  peyne   516 

That  he  felte  and  the  gret[e]  smerte 

Took  a  dagger,  roofF  Publius  to  the  herte. 

Which  loued  more  his  worshep  than  his  lyfF, 

Ches  rather  deie  than  lyuen  in  s^ruage;  520 

This  conceit  hadde  in  his  imagynatyfF, 

And  considred,  sith  he  was  in  age. 

To  saue  his  honour  it  was  moor  auauntage 

So  to  be  slayn,  his  worshep  to  conserue,  524 

Than  lich  a  beeste  in  prisoun  for  to  sterue. 


"You,  who 
were  clad 
in  purple 
and  gave  judg- 
ment on  the 
martyrs  in 
Rome,  can  now 
bend  your  back 
to  King  Sapor 
when  he  wishes 
to  ride. 


"Thus  you  are 
fallen;  think  on 
Fortune,   who 
has  cast  you 
into  thralldom 
without 
remedy. 


"You  have 
forgotten  the 
example  of 
worthy 
Publius,  who, 
taken  by 
his  enemies  in 
Asia, 


and,  preferring 
death  to 
servitude, 
smote  out  an 
eye  of  the 
soldier  who 
led  him,  and 
he,  mad  with 
pain,  struck 
Publius  to  the 
heart  with  a 
•dagger. 

"Publius  loved 
his  honour 
more  than  his 
life    and  did 
not  care  to  die 
like  an  animal 
in  captivity. 


489.  to]  om.  H,  R,  R  3,  H  5. 

494.  YafF]  yeve  H  —  martirs]  mateers  R.       501.   olde]  eld  B. 

504.  no]  non  B.       508.   Aristomachus  R,  H,  Aristonichus  P. 

515.  his]  the  P. 


838  Bochas's  Rebuke  of  J'alcrian  [bk.  viii 

"As  Vaierms     Fortiuiis  chapltlo  of  hym  ne*  was  nat  rad; 

Mys,  nlher  '      .  j' 

th»n Unguish in  Qf  which  V aleiius  makcth  mcnciouw, 

rrison  a  man         .  ^  .  ■  ■  •  ^  J  o 

haU  better        AitiT  whos  co/;ccit,  iio  tiia;/  111  vcrtu  sad  528 

clioose  to  starve  ^i      .  ,  ■  i  •      l      "  '         . 

to  death,  Sholde  nat  longc  hmswissli  in  pnsoun, 

But  rather  cheese,  lik  his  oppynyouw, 
Of  nia>;li  force  &  knihtli  excellence 
The  deth  endure  of  long  abstynence,  53^ 

«.  Agriprina      fl  ^5  whilom  dide  the  princesse  Aggripyne, 

did,  so  that  ■*  .  .  ic'i  ITI  J 

she  lay  rale      Wha?/  she  in  pnsoun  lay  tetrid  and  Ibounde; 

nnJ  prostrate,      ,^  ^  ,   .      r  1       •         1        r   1 

in  spite  of        Of  hir  fre  chois  she  felte  so  gret  pyne 
thusTnaej"      Of  hu«gir,  thrust,  in  stori  it  is  founde,  536 

That  she  lay  pale  &  gruff  upon  the  grounde, 
Maugre  Tiberye,  &  leet  hir  gost  so  weende 
Out  of  hir  bodi;   this  was  hir  fatal  eende. 

"Rut  as  (or      Jhou  stood  fcrr  of  of  al  such  fantasie,       [p.  371]  540 

you.   Valerian,  tt    i  i 

who  with  cruel  J  spekc  to  the,  o  thou  Valeryan! 

inany  a  Chris-  Thi  crucl  hcrte  of  fals  malencolic 

I'udi  thought     Made  whilom  deie  many  Cristen  man; 

you'r  mind"'*      And  [many]  martir,  sith  Cristis  feith  began,  S44 

Which  for  mankynde  starfF  upon  the  rood,  — 
Thei  for  taquite  hym  list  to  sheede  her  blood. 

'frSdirenough  ^gcyn  his  kwc  thou  wcr  impacient 

to  the  Egyp-     And  importune  be  persecuciouw;  548 

tians  and  their    __,,  ,.        ~  o  rr       •       .^  ^       ^ 

i5i3.  Thou  dist  fauoure  &  suitre  in  thyn  entent 

That  Egipciens  dide  ther  oblacioun, 
Thar  sacrefises  &  rihtes  up-so-doun 
Vnto  Isis,  of  froward  wilfulnesse,  552 

That  was  of  Egipt  callid  cheef  goddesse. 

and  to  the        Fauoutablc  thou  wer  In  thi  desir 

Jews  and  Chal-  i  o     i  l_ 

dxans  and        ^q  sufFre  lewcs  ther  Sabat  to  obserue, 
you  killed  the    And  Caldcis  to  worshepe[n]  the  fyr,  556 

di^d'yourself"  in  And  folk  of  Crete  Saturn  for  to  serue. 
wreu"h."'"  ^     And  Cristene  men  thou  madist  falsli  sterue, 
Of  whos  lawe  for  thou  dist  nat  rechche, 
Thou  dei[d]est  in  prisoun  at  myscheef  lik*  a  wrech- 
che."  560 

526.  ne] it  B,  R,  J,  P. 

538.  gost]  breth  H.       529.    1st  hirj  \>t  H. 

S42.  of]  and  R,  H,  R  3,  H  s.       546.   to]  forto  R. 

547.  his]  this  H  —  inpacient  R.       549.   &  suftrej  suftrid  H, 

556.  to]  for  to  H,  R  3. 

560.  deidest]  diest  R,  dej^est  H  5,  died  J,  P  —  lik]  as  B,  R,  R  3, 

Hs. 


BK.    VIIl] 


The  Death  of  Gallienus 


839 


[How  Gallien  sone  of  valerian  was  slayn]]  ^ 

NEXT  in  ordri?  to  Bocha/  the  cam  doun 
Sone  of  Valerian,  oon  callid  Gallien. 
But  for  the  grifte  horrible  efFusioun 
Of  Cristen  blood[e],  that  men  myhte  seen  564 

Shadde  be  Valerian,  God  wolde  it  sholde  been 
Shewed  openli  to  Romeyws  be  vengaunce 
Of  many  a  contre  sodeyn  disobeissauwce. 

Thei  of  Almeyne  the  Alpies  dide  passe  568 

Vnto  Rauenwe,  a  cite  of  Itaille; 

Gothis  also,  proud  of  cheer  &  face, 

Hadde  ageyn  Grekis  many  gret  bataille; 

And  thei  of  Hungry,  armyd  in  plate  &  maille,        572 

With  them  of  Denmark,  furious  &  cruell, 

Ageyn  Romeyns  wex  of  assent  rebell. 

To  whos  damage  in  this  mene  while 

Among  Romeyws  it  is  befalle  thus:  576 

Woful  werris  which  called  been  civile 

Gan  in  the  cite,  cruel  and  despitous. 

First  whan  thei  mette  was  slay[e]n  Gemyvs, 

Which  first  took  on  hym,  in  bookis  as  I  reede,       580 

Of  hih  corage  to  were  purpil  weede. 

Oon  Postumyvs,  a  myhti  strong  Romeyn, 

Kept  al  Gaule  vndir  subieccioun; 

To  ther  auail  vnwarli  aftir  slayn  584 

Among  his  kniht^j,  for  al  his  hih  renoun, 

Be  a  sodeyn  vnkouth  discencioun. 

Next  Victoryn,  hauyng  the  gou<?rnaunce 

Of  al  Gaule,  was  aftir  slayn  in  Fraunce.  588 

But  Gallien,  of  whom  I  spak  toforn, 

Sone  and  heir  to  Valerian, 

His  domynacioun  off  purpos  he  hath  lorn. 

In  Republica  [anoon]  whan  he  began,  592 

Lich  a  contrarious  &  a  froward  man 

Wex  lecherous  and  vicious  of  lyuyng. 

At  myscheefF  slay[e]n;  this  was  his  eendyng. 


The  reign  of 
Gallienus  was 
disturbed   by 
rebellions,  in 
punishment  for 
the  effusion  of 
Christian 
blood  shed 
by  his  father 
Valerian. 


The  Germans 
came  to 
Ravenna,  and 
the  Goths  and 
Danes 
revolted. 


In  Rome  there 
were  cruel  civil 
wars; 


and 

Posthumus, 
who  defeated 
the  Franks  in 
Gaul,  was  slain 
by  his  knights. 
Victorian  was 
slain  in  France, 


and  Gallien, 
who  lost  his 
authority  by 
evil  living, 
died  at 
mischief. 


564.   myhte^  may  H. 

576.   it  is  befalle]  it  befiU  H.       577.   The  wofull  H. 

585.   hih]  gret  H,  R.       592.   anoon]  om.  R,  J,  H  5. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  152  verso. 


840  Sluintilius,  Aurdian  of  Denviark,  Prohiis       [bk.  viii 

plow  Quyntylyus  was  moordred  by  women.]  ^ 

broS"o**f         ^  Next  Gallien  cam  oon  Quyntilius,  596 

aiudiii..  WAS    y\  ,ii_^n  reme??ibred  of  cret  attcmp[e]raunce, 

murderevl  by  r    i  /-^l         l" 

women.    I  do    Hrotlicr  ot  luTtlic  to  gret[ej  V^lautlius, 

not  know  why.   . , , .      .,      , .  1 1   i   ■ 

\\  IS  6c  discreet  in  all  his  gouernau;/ce. 
Who  may  of  F'ortune  eschewe  the  [sodeyn]  chaunce  ? — 
To  write  his  eende  shortly  in  a  clause,  601 

Of  women  moordred;   I  can^iat  seyn  the  cause. 

[Off  Aurelian  in  Denmark  born.]  ^ 
Aureiian.  born    q  Qf  Denmark  born  next  cam  Aurelian, 

■n  Ucnmark,  ^  _  r  mi 

began  a  great    fi^  worthi  icniht  his  enmyes  for  tassaille.  604 

war  against  .  /^       i  L       U 

the  Goths.        Aeeyn  Gothes  a  gret  werre  he  began, 

His  labour  was   ^_°    -^    .  .      .  t_  "1 

for  the  profit     Gat  victotie  m  many  stro?rg  bataile, 
of  Rome.         ^yj^^^  ^^j^j^  conquest  gretli  did  auaille 

To  comoun  proffit;   for  al  his  werk,  parde,  608 

Was  to  thencres  of  Roome  the  cite. 

"fthTNorfh    He  recurid  al  Septemptrion, 

and  asked  for    ^^d  westward  had  many  gret  victorie.* 

the  triumph;  i   •   ■     t    r         i       r    I         1   L  e. 

but  one  thing,   Among  othit,  i  tynde  [tnatj  he  was  oon  012 

his  enmity  to        .  ,      ,  .  ■  ^   • 

Christ,  eclipsed  Axed  the  tryumphe  to  be  put  m  memone. 
his  glory.  g^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^  thing*  eclipsed  al  his  glorie. 

Which  hath  the  liht  of  his  knihthod  wztZ^drawe, 
For  he  was  enmy  to  Crist  &  to  his  lawe.  616 

Tacitus  and      Qf  y^-hom  Bochflj  list  no  mor  now  write, 

riorianus  i      r-  i  i        i 

followed.   I       gut  in  his  book  goth  foorth  as  he  began, 

can  nnd  nothing  ^_^^.  ,  ,  11 -j  T"* 

noteworthy        ^  Qf  oon  temembtyng  pat  caliia  was  1  acite, 

about  either  of   .^7,  .    ,  a  1  /i 

them.  Which  was  successowr  to  Aurelyan;  620 

^  And  aftir  hym  succeded  Floryan, 
Of  which[e]  tweyne  no  remembraunce  I  fynde 
That  is  notable  to  be  put  in  mynde. 

[How  Probus  disconfited  Romayns  and  aftir  was 
slayn.]  ^ 
Probus  reigned  p^obus  aftif  tegned  ful  seuene  yeer         [p.  372]     624 

more  than  o  i-i        i  il'L'L 

seven  years.      ^nd  foute  moncth,  which  thoruh  his  hih  renoun 
Saturninus        Geyn  Satumynvs,  with  a  [ful]  knihtli  cheer, 

611.  victorite  B. 

612.  &  among  H,  And  among  R  3  —  that]  om.  R,  J,  H  5. 
614.   o  thing]  athing  B.       619.   was  callid  H. 

626.   Saturnynus]  Seatourns  H,  senatours  R  3  —  ful]  om.  J,  P. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  152  verso.        ^  MS.  J.  leaf  152  verso. 
'  MS.  J.  leaf  152  verso. 


BK.  viii]       The  Death  of  Probus.  Clarus  and  his  Sons        841 


And  brouht  hym  proudli  to  subieccioun; 
Natwithstondyng  that  he  in  Roome  touw  628 

Took  upon  hym  of  wilful  tiranwye 
Hooli  thempire  he  for  to  reule  &  gule. 

Beside  the  cite  callid  Agripyne 

This  seid[e]  Probus  geyn  many  proud  Romeyw       632 

A  bataille  hadde,  list[e]  nat  declyne, 

Mette  Proculus,  a  myhti  strong  capteyw, 

With  oon  Bonosus;   &  bothe  ther  wer  slayn, 

And  al  ther  meyne  of  verray  force  &  myht  636 

Slayn  in  the  feeld;  the  rewnauwt  put  to  fliht. 

Aftir  this  bataille  &  this  disconfiture 

Probus  was  loggid  in  Smyrme,  a  gr^t  cite, 

And  ther  vnwarli  of  sodeyn  auenture  640 

Slayw  in  a  tour  that  callid  was  Ferre. 

But  a  smal  sesoun  last  his  prospmte: 

Swich  is  Fortune;  lat  no  man  in  hir  truste; 

Al  wordli  thynges  she  chauwgeth  as  she  liste!         644 


and  slew 
Proculus  and 
Bonosus  in 
battle. 


Finally  he  was 
himself  slain  in 
a  tower  at 
Sirmium;  let 
no  man  trust 
Fortune. 


[How  Clarus  and  his  ij.  sones  were  myscheuyd.]  ^ 

^  Tofor  Bochas  Clarus  next  caw  doun 

With  his  too  sonys,  Numerian  &  Caryne. 

And,  as  I  fynde,  he  was  born  in  Narbon 

And  descendid  of  a  noble  lyne.  648 

But  whan  that  he  most  cleerli  dide  shyne 

In  his  empire,  he  gat  cites  tweyne, 

Chose  &  Thelifouwt,  in  Partois  wzt^  gret  peyne. 


Beside  Tigre,  a  famous  swift  ryueer, 
He  pihte  his  tentis,  &  cast  hym  J)^r  tabide, 
A  sodeyn  lihtnyng  his  face  caw  so  neer, 
Smet  al  to  pouder,  for  al  his  gret[e]  pride; 
And  Numerian  that  stood  be  his  side 
Hadde  a  mark[e]  that  was  sent  frow  heuene: 
Loste  bothe  his  eyen  wit^  the  fyry  leu[en]e. 


Clarus  and  his 
two  sons, 
Numerian  and 
Carinus,  next 
came  before 
Bochas.     Born 
of  a  noble 
line  in  Nar- 
bonne,  he  took 
Seleucia  and 
Ctesiphon, 


652 


656 


but  was  killed 
by  lightning  at 
the  Tigris,  and 
Numerian  was 
blinded. 


639.  Smyrna  J,  Smyryn  R  3,  Sirmine  P  —  a  gr^t]  ^e  H. 

643.  Swich  is  Fortune^  om.  H  —  hir]  hir  curtesye  H. 

644.  as  she  liste]]  at  hir  lust  H,  as  hir  list  R  3. 

645.  Carus  P.       647.   Nabourn^  H. 

651.  Choce  H  —  Tholifau7it  H,  Ctesiphon  P  —  Parroys  J. 

652.  Tibre  H. 

658.  vfhh  the]  eke  with  H,  R  3,  P  —  fire  R. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  152  verso. 


life. 


842  Tbg  Story  of  i^ueen  Zenohia  [bk.  viil 

Carinus  ruled    His  othlr  sonc  Carvnus,  a  eood  kniht, 

unjuttly  in  t        T-»    1  •       I        1  i  "       1      1 

D.imatia  «nd    In  Ualiiiacia  hacide  al  the  gou^rnau^ce;  660 

wu  cast  down    rv       *   r  i  i  i  "i 

for  hi*  vicious   l)ut'  tor  that  lic  goucinccl  iiat  ariht, 

He  was  cast  doun  &  lost  al  his  puissaunce: 
Vicious  lyff  konieth  alwey  to  myschaunce. 
Scpcivs  chose  Dalniacia  for  to  guye,  664 

Among  his  knihtis  moordrid  of  cnvie. 


[How  the  hardy  quene  Zenobia  fau3t  wit/i  Aurelian 
and  was  take.]  ^ 

My  author        T\ /T  \W  auctoz/t  hccr  HO  Icncer  list  sfojio^rne 

now  turns  to  VI       r^c     i  i        r    ii-      r  • 

Zenobia;  but     -L  ▼ -I.   (Jt  thcse  ciTiperowrs  the  rallis  lor  to  write, 

as  Chaucer  has   t->  '  i   i  i  ill-'  -i 

already  told      but  \n  al  haste  hc  doth  his  Stile  toi^rne  668 

w!ii  "ehca'rsc      To  ZcHobia  hir  stori  for  to  endite. 

Hnw."'  °"'"     But  for  Chauceer  dide  hym  so  weel  aquite 
In  his  tragedies  hir  pitous  fall  tentrete, 
I  will  passe  ouer,  rehersyng  but  the  grete.  672 

He  describes     Jn  his  book  of  Cauntitbury  Talis 

her  life  in  his     ,_,,  .  r  r»         •       a  11  • 

Book  of  Can-    1  his  souereyw  poete  or  orutis  Albioun, 
er  ury    a  cs.   yj^Qj-^j^  pilgrymys  told  be  hillis  &  be  valis, 

Wher  of  Zenobia  is  maad  mewcioun,  676 

Of  hir  noblesse  and  of  hir  hih  renoun, 
In  a  tragedie  compendiousli  told  all, 
Hir  marcial  prowesse  &  hir  pitous  fall. 

She  was  bom    Myn  auctowr  first  afFermeth  how  that  she  680 

of  the  stock  of  _^  -'  ...  r  i  •     i 

worthy  Ptolemy  Descend  id  was,  to  telle  or  hir  lynage. 
Born  of  the  stok  of  worthi  Tholome 
Kyng  of  Egipt,  ful  notable  in  that  age. 
And  this  Zenobia,  expert  in  al  langage,  684 

Wis  of  couwsail  &  of  gret  prouidence, 
Passed  al  othir  in  fame  of  elloquence. 

and  married      Among  she  was  armyd  in  plate  &  maille. 
King  of  p'ai-     Of  Palmerencys*  weddid  to  the  kyng  688 

Callid  Odenatus,  prudent  in  bataille 
She  was  also,  be  record  of  writyng, 
Hardi,  strong,  hir  lordship  defendywg, 

661.  But]  And  B,  J,  P. 
667.   for]  om.  H.       669.   hir]  his  R,  J. 
670.    so  wele  did  hym  quyte  H,  R  3.       679.    prowessis  H. 
688.    Palmerenoys  B,  Palmerencys  J,  Palmyrences  P,  Palmy- 
nerois  R,  H. 

MS.  J.  leaf  153  recto. 


BK.  VIIl] 


The  Story  of  ^ueen  Zenobia 


843 


Maugre  all  tho,  with  hir  cheualrie,  692 

Ageyw[e]s  hire  that  wrongli  took  partie. 

Be  Odenatus  she  hadde  sonis  tweyne, 

Heremanvs  callid  was  the  ton, 

And  Thymolaus,  of  beute  souereyne.  696 

Aftir  whos  berthe  ther  fadir  gan  anon 

To  occupie  the  prouynces  euerichon 

Of  Perse  and  Mede;   hi  processe  made  hem  fleen, 

Of  Zenobia,  the  hardi  wise  queen.  700 

Whil  Odenatus  wex  most  glorious 

In  his  conquest  thoruhout  Perse  &  Meede, 

Slayn  he  was  be  oon  Meonyus, 

Which  to  the  kyng  was  cosyn,  as  I  reede;  704 

But  for  because  of  this  horrible  deede 

And  for  the  moordre  of  kyng  Odenate, 

Deide  at  myscheefF  &  passed  into  fate. 

Be  processe  aftir,  Zenobia  the  queen  [p.  373]  708 

Took  hir  too  sonis  and  proudli  did  hem  leede 

Tofor  hir  chaar[e],  that  men  myhte  hem  seen. 

How  thei  wer  born  as  princis  to  succeede. 

Made  hem  lik  kynges  be  clad  in  purpil  weede;       712 

Them  to  difFende  this  myhti  creature, 

Hardi  as  leouw,  took  on  hir  hir  armure. 

For  al  hir  lordis  &  knihtis  she  hath  sent, 

Maugre  the  Romeyns  proudli  gan  hir  speede,         716 

Al  the  parties  of  the  orient* 

To  occupie  &  hir  host  to  leede. 

Of  themperour  she  stood  nothing  in  dreede, 

Callid  Aurelian,  mette  hym  in  bataille,  720 

With  hir  meyne  hym  proudli  did  assaille. 

On  outher  side  that  day  gret  blood  was  shad; 

The  strook  of  Fortune  withstant  no  cr^fatur^: 

The  queen  Zenobia  was  taken  &  forth  lad;  724 

Fauht  first  as  longe  as  she  myht  endure; 

With  riche  stonis  frett  was  hir  armvre, 

With  whom  themperowr,  so  entrywg  Roome  touw. 

Of  tryumphe  requeryng  the  guerdouw.  728 

He  dempte  it  was  couenable  &  sittywg, 
This  emperottr,  this  proude  Aurelian, 


by  whom  she 
had  two  sons. 
After  they 
were  born 
their  father 
occupied 
Persia  and 
Media, 


and  soon  after- 
wards was 
slain  by  his 
cousin 
Maconius, 
who  was 
executed  for 
his  crime. 


Zenobia 
dressed 
her  sons  in 
purple  and 
shewed  them 
to  the  people 
as  their  future 
princes, 


and  in  defiance 
of  the  Romans 
continued  her 
husband's 
conquests  in 
the  East, 


but  was  de- 
feated in  battle 
and  taken 
prisoner  by 
Aurelian 


695.   Herennian  P.       696.  Timolaus  P.       707.   &]]  om.  H. 
709.   hir]  his  R.      715.   al]  om.  R.      717.  thorient  B. 


844 


The  Fate  of  Zenobia.     Diocletian 


[bk.  VIII 


and  led  in  his   Taxc  tlic  tiyumplK';   it  w.is  SO  gf^t  a  thyng 

triumph.  r,,  i        '/      "     i    •       r    i  i  1 

To  take  /ciiobia  [tliatj  such  a  wciTif  gan  73a 

Ageyn*  Roniey;is,  this  marcial  woman. 
For  I  suppose  of  no  woman  born 
Was  neuer  queen  so  hardi  seyn  afForn. 

She  was  brought  This  harcli  princesse,  for  al  hir  roialte,*  736 

golden  feu"rs,    Wlios  hih  roHOU/i  thotuh  al  the  world  was  knowe, 


plunged  down 
Irom  her 


estate  into 
poverty. 


high    W:t/^  stokkis  of  gold  was  brouht  to  the  cite, 
From  hih  estat  in  pouert  piongid  lowe. 
A  wynde  contrarye  of  Fortune  hath  so  blowe, 
That  she,  alas,  hath  pitousli  made  fall 
Hir  that  in  prowesse  passed  women  all. 


740 


Diocletian,  who 
next  appeared, 
was  a  gar- 
dener in   his 
youth. 


Later  on  he 
became  a 
soldier  and 
was  chosen 
emperor. 


He  made 
Maximian 
his  general  in 
Gaul,  but  the 
people  were 
rebellious 
until  chastised 
by  Carausius, 


THE  triuwphe  youe  [un]to  Aurelian 
For  \^e  conquest  he  hadde  upon  J)is  queen 
Callid  Zenobia,  cam  Dioclesian,* 
Born  in  Dalmacia,  his  stori  who  list  seen. 
Out  of  his  contre  first  he  dide  fleen, 
Of  garlec  lekis,  as  seith  the  cronycleer, 
Because  that  he  was  but  a  gardener. 

Other  mencioun  is  non  of  his  lynage. 

Of  his  berthe  forsook  the  regioun, 

LefFt  his  crafF[t]  of  deluyng  and  cortilage, 

Gaff  hym  to  armys,  &  be  eleccioun 

Chose  to  been  emperowr  &  regne  in  Roome  toun. 

First  into  Gaule  he  sente  a  gret  poweer, 

And  Maxymyan  he  made  ther  his  vikeer. 

His  viker  ther  hadde  many  gret  bataille 
Vpon  swich  peeple  that  be  rebellioun 
Gan  frowardli  contrarye  &  assaille 
Tobeye  his  lordship  withynne  that  regioun, 
Til  Caransynus  be  conzmyssioun, 
An  hardi  kniht  vndir  Maxymyan, 
Them  to  chastise  took  on  hym  lik  a  man. 


744 


748 


who  did  great    But  bc  ptocesse,  the  stori  doth  deuise, 
to  the  common  His  lordship  ther  dide  gret  damage 

weal  by  robbing' 
the  country. 


'To  comoun  profiit;   for  he  be  couetise 


732. 

735- 
739- 
745- 
755- 
761. 


that]  om.  R. 
beforn  R. 
ploungyng  R. 
Deoclesian  B. 
into]  in  H. 
Carasius  P. 


733.   Ageyn]  Geyn  B,  R,  J. 
736.   roialte]  cruelte  B,  J. 
742.   that]  state  R. 
748.   cronyculeer  R. 
760.   that]  om.  H,  R  3. 
766.  To]  To  the  R. 


752 


7S6 


760 


764 


BK.  viiij]     Diocletian,  Carausius,  Maximian  and  Others         845 


The  centre  robbed  be  ful  gret  outrage, 

And  to  hymsilfF  he  took  al  the  pillage,  768 

And  of  presumpciouw  wered  the  colour 

Of  riche  purpil  lik  an  emperoMr. 

This  Karansynvs  of  Breteynys  tweyne, 

Proudli  vsurped  to  be  ther  gouernowr,  772 

Lik  a  rebel  geyn  Roome  dide  his  peyne 

And  besied  hym  be  marcial  labour. 

With  many  a  strauwge  foreyw  soudiowr; 

Hauyng  no  title  nor  commyssiouw,  776 

Contynued  longe  in  his  rebelliouw. 

Wherof  astonyd  was  Dioclesian; 

Seyng  this  myscheef  dreedful  &  pereilous, 

Ordeyned  in  haste  that  Maxymyan  780 

Was  surnamyd  &  callid  Herculius; 

Made  hym  emperowr,  namyd  [hym]  Augustus, 

Which  hadde  afForn[e]  no  mor  gou^rnauwce 

But  of  Gaule,  which  now  is  callid  France.  784 

Also  mor-ouer  this  Dioclesian 

Made  in  this  while  gou^rnoMr[e]s  tweyne, 

Constancius  &  oon  Maxymyan 

Surnamyd  Galerius.  Constancius  in  certeyne,         788 

In  this  while  to  wedde  dide  his  peyne 

Douhtir  of  Maxymyan  callid  Herculius, 

Named  Theodora,  myn  auctowr  writeth  thus. 

Be  Theodora  this  Constancius  [p.  374]     792 

Hadde  sexe  childre  in  trewe  manage, 

Brethre  to  Constantyn,  the  story*  tellith  ^usy 

Which  aftirward,  whan  he  cam  to  age. 

For  his  manhod  and  marcial  corage,  796 

Was  chose  &  maad[e]  lord  &  gouerno^r 

Of  al  the  world,  and  crownid  emperoMr. 

Caransynvs,  which  hadde  ful  seuene  yeer, 

Lich  as  I  tolde,  rebellid  in  Breteyne  800 

Ageyn  the  Romeyns,  a  gret  extorsioneer,  — 


He  usurped 
the  title  of 
governor 
and  rebelled 
against  Rome, 


whereupon 
Diocletian  in- 
vested Maxim- 
ian with  the 
titles  Augustus 
and  Herculius 
and  made  him 
co-emperor. 


He  also  ap- 
pointed Con- 
stantius  and 
Galerius  gov- 
ernors; and 
Constantius 
married 
Maximian's 
daughter 
Theodora, 


by  whom  he 
had  six  chil- 
dren, brothers 
of  Constantine, 
who  afterwards 
became  the 
great  emperor. 


768,  69  are  transposed  H.         773.   ageyn  H. 

776.   nor]  non  R. 

7793   Made  in  this  while  gouernours  tweyne  R. 

780]   Constancius  and  oon  Maxymyan  R. 

782.   namyd]  callid  H  —  hym]  om.  R,  J,  H  5,  P. 

784.   of]  al  H.       785.   R  omits  this  stanza. 

794.   story]  cronicle  B,  R,  J,  P  —  the  cronycler  seith  thus  R  3. 

799.   Carasynus  H,  R  3,  Caramsynus  J,  Carasius  P. 


846  Diocletian  persecutes  the  Christians  []bk.  Vlll 

c«r.u.m.wa.    A  kiiilit  Allctus  that  dcdc  at  hym  dlsdcvne 

murdered  "Y         »  t  1    •  1    1  r  •        1      1    1   •   ' 

Aicctus,  who      Moordrid  hym,  &  aftir  dcd  his  pcyne 

occupied  his         T)      r  {•  1  • 

pUce  three       tJc  toicc  onli  and  cxtort  tirannye  804 

>«*">  FuUi  thre  yeer  his  place  to  occupie. 

until  slain  by    Til  Asclcpio  was  scnt  ffo  Roomc  doun, 

Asclepiodatus.      oi        l       i  •       a  n  i   i   •  i 

who  in  turn      bloiMi  tMis  Allctus,  inaucre  al  his  myht, 

brought  all  i>  1  1    o  i  •  • 

Britain  «Kain     liroulit  al  Dretcyne  to  siibiecciou«  808 

jcction.    Q^  ^1^^  Romeyns,  lik  as  it  was  riht. 

And  in  this  while,  lik  a  ma;di  kniht — 
For  Italliens  gan  Romeyws  disobeye  — 
Constancius  gan  proudli  hem  werreie.  812 

Constantius       He  fifstc  with  hciTi  had  a  strong  bataille, 

fought  the  -  ,        n-1 

rebellious  His  iiicyne  slayn  &  he  put  to  the  fliht. 

ItaUans  and         rp.  ^  ,  i  r  -ii 

after  an  early     1  tustywg  OH  T  ottunc,  he  gan  hcm  eit  assaille, 
successfu"        And  sexti  thousand  wer  slay[e]n  in  \iat  fiht;  8i6 

The  feeld  was  his  thoruh  Fortunis  myht, 
As  she  that  koude  dissymule  for  a  while, 
And  aftirward  falsli  hym  begile. 

Aieia"d*r"a^^d  ^  ^^^^'  passe  ouer  as  breeffli  as  I  can,  820 

allowed  his       Set  aside  al  foreyn  incidentis, 

soldiers  to  _,  T-^•       i       • 

pillage  the  city.   Rcsorte  ageyn  to  Uiociesian, 

Which  at  Alisaundre  proudli  pihte  his  ttntes, 
The  capteyn  slouh,  gafF  in  comaundementifj'  824 

To  his  knihtis  to  do  ther  auauntage 
Wft^ynne  the  cite  be  robbyng  &  pillage. 

He  then  began  Gan  ageyn  Cristene  gret  persecucioun, 

to  persecute  the    _.,,..  .         ,  .  . 

Christians  in     Vsed  his  tirannye  m  the  orient,  828 

help'ed^by  ^^*   Bi  his  biddyng  Maxymyan  cam  doun 

whoie™sword^    Towatd  the  parties  of  the  Occident. 

was°^siainT^"^'^  Bothe  these  tirauntis  wrouhte  be  assent, 

Vndir  whos  swerd  many  [a]  martire  deies,  832 

Slayn  in  Octodorun  the  legeoun  of  Thebeies. 

the  Theba;an     At  Vetolamye,  z  famous  old  cite, 
Octoduram,       Scynt  Albou  slayn;   his  legende  doth  so  telle. 
PopeMa?ceihis.  And  in  Roome  be  furious  cruelte  836 

bil'rn^and  dtYet  The  pope  slay/t,  which  callid  was  Marcelle. 
frlnchui's.        Be  ther  statutis  &  be  ther  doomys  felle 


802.   Alectus  P.       814.   the]  om.  R.       818.   As]  And  R. 
823.   at]  that  R.       828.   thorlent  B.       832.   a]  om.  B,  R,  J. 
833.   in]  at  H  —  Octodorn  H,  R  —  legeoun]  region  P,  Religion 

R. 
835.   Albon]  abbon  R  —  his]  Jje  H. 


BK.  viii3  The  Efid  of  Diocletian.     Maximian 


847 


Cherchfes  wer  brent,  &  tou?zes*  &  citees 

Loste  ther  franchise  &  al  ther  libertees.  840 

Froward  enmy  he  was  to  Cristis  lawe, 

Made  many  a  martir  deie  for  his  sake, 

Wex  feeble  &  old  &  ga«  hym  [to]  withdrawe 

From  occupacioun,  his  reste  for  to  take;  844 

His  atturne  Maxymyan  he  doth  make. 

In  his  laste  age,  it  is  rehersid  thus. 

Stood  in  gret  dreed[e]  of  Constancivs, — 

The  dreed[e]  of  hym  sat  so  nih  his  herte^ —  848 

And  therupon  took  swich  a  fantasie, 

Imagynyng  he  myht[e]  nat  asterte, 

Be  fraude  of  hym  but  that  he  sholde  deie. 

Almost  for  feer  fill  in  a  frenesie,  852 

And  of  swich  dreed,  the  book  makth  mewciouw, 

He  slouh  hymsilfF  be  drywkyng  of  poisoun. 

^  As  I  told  erst,  in  the  Occident 

Maxymyan,  callid  Herculius,  856 

Regned  as  emperot^r;   &  eu^re  in  his  entent 

To  pi<rsue  martirs  he  did  ay  his  labours. 

Of  whos  berthe  Bochas  fond  non  auctowrs; 

This  to  seyne,  he  coude  neu^r  reede  860 

Wher  he  was  bor[e]n,  nor  of  what  kywreede. 

He  fynt  no  mor  of  this  Maxymyan, 

Of  his  uprisyng  in  especiall. 

But  that  he  was  bi  Dioclesian  864 

Set  in  dignite  callid  imperial. 

Famous  in  armys,  prudent  &  marciall, 

Daunted  all  tho  that  dide  ageyn  hym  stryue, 

Slouh  Geneyans  callid,  in  nouwbre  fyue.  868 

Rood  in  Affrik  lik  a  conquerowr, 

Brouht  to  subieccioun  thre  sturdi  naciouns  — 

Fortune  that  tyme  did  hym  such  fauowr  — 

Gat  Sarmatois  wzt^  othir  regiouns,  872 

Many  cites  &  many  riche  touns 

Bi  his  conquest  of  newe  that  he  hath  wonne; 

Thoruh  the  world  his  name  shon  lik  a  sunne. 

839.   &  tounes^  in  toims  B,  R,  in  townes  J. 

841.   he  was]  om.  R.       843.   to]  om.  R,  H  5,  P. 

851.   but]  om.  H.       852.   a]  om.  R.       858.   labour  H. 

859.   auctour  H. 

868.    Genciau«s  H,  gencians  R  3,  Genciens  H  5,  Giauntes  P. 

872.   Sarmacia  P.       873.   cite  H. 


When  Diocle- 
tian grew  old 
and  feeble  he 
abdicated  in 
favour  of 
Maximian. 


During  his  last 
days  he  stood 
in  such  dread 
of  Constantius 
that  he  fell 
into  a  frenzy 
and  slew  him- 
self by  poison. 


Maximian 
reigned  in  the 
west  and  con- 
tinued to 
martyr  Chris- 
tians; 


and  Bochas 
knows  no  more 
about  him  than 
that  he  was  a 
great  soldier 
and  that  Dio- 
cletian made 
him  emperor. 


He  conquered 
Africa,  Sar- 
matia,  and 
many  other 
regions,  and 
his  name  shone 
throughout  the 
world  like  a 


848 


The  End  of  Maximian.     Galerius 


[bK.  VIII 


resign  his 
digniiy, 


and  finally  he 
did:   but  after- 


wards repent- 
inR  sought  to 


eper 
gilt 

recover  his 

throne. 


Yet  Diocletian   He  was  chcrisslied  in  armys  from  his  youthe,  [p.  3  75]  876 

advised  him  to     _^.  ,  ■  r       ^    it  i  * 

Dide  grct  emprises  tor*  Koome  the  cite; 

^  it  Dioclcsian,  as  it  is  wed  koutlie, 

Cou/jsaillccl  liyiii  rcsigiie  his  dignite. 

But  he  was  loth  to  forsake  his  see,  880 

Sith  he  was  lord  &  gou<rrned  all, 

For  to  renounce  his  stat  imperiall. 

But  be  assent  of  Dioclesian, 

As  he  hymsilff  had  left  al  gouifrnaunce,  884 

So  eeucne  lik  this  Maxymyan 

Dischargid  hymsilf  of  his  roial  puissaunce. 

But  aftirward  he  fill  in  repentaunce 

And  besi  was,  as  dyuers  bookis  seyn,  888 

Thestat  of  empero/ir  to  recure  ageyn, 

Which  for  to  acheue  he  dede  his  dilligence. 

He  was  distourbid  be  Galerius, 

For  his  sone,  that  callid  was  Maxence,  892 

Put  in  pocessioun,  n\yn  auctowr  writeth  Jjwj; 

To  which[e]  thyng  he  gaw  wex  envious 

And  gan  ordeyne  menys  in  his  thouht 

To  trouble  hym;   but  it  auailled  nouht.  896 

Whan  his  purpos  myhte  take  non  auail 


In  this  he  n-as 
opposed  by  Ga- 
lerius, for  his 
son  Maxentius 
had  already 
been  declared 
emperor. 


and  when  he 
found  that  he 

could  not  sue-  Ageyn  Maxence,  as  Bochas  doth  descryue, 

ceedinhisde-  ,.  i-t^  il-  •! 

sign,  and  his  His  douhtir  Fausta,  Jjat  knew  al  his  counsail, 

had  betrayed  his  Discurid  his  purpos;  for  which  he  fled[de]  blyue    900 

fl"d"to°Gaui'  Into  Gaule  &  durste  no  lenger  stryue; 

IwJhy^Col'  And  bi  Co[n]stancius  in  Marcile  the  cite 

NWiiies.'  Slayn  sodeynli,  lost  al  his  dignite. 


Next  came 
Galerius,  a 
froward  vicious 
man  of  evil 
disposition. 
We  do  not 
know  his 
descent,  yet  he 
was  set  high 
on  the  stage  of 
worldly  dig- 
nity. 


[How  Galeryus  oppressid  martirs  &  cristys  feith 
and  mischeuesly  ended.3  ^ 

NEXT  tofor  Bochaj-  caw  Galerivs, 
A  man  disposid  to  riot  &  outrage, 
Euele  entechchid,  froward,  viciowj. 
Ther  is  no  stori  speketh  of  his  lynage, 
Yit  was  he  set  ful  hih  upon  the  stage 
Of  worldli  dignite,  roos  up  to  hih  estat; 
Yit  in  his  gyn[n]yng  he  was  nat  fortunat. 


904 


908 


897.   his]  this  R.       898.   doth]  did  R. 
900.   purpos]  consail  R. 


877.   for]  forn  B. 
899.   al]  om.  H. 

905.  dispoised  R. 

906.  tecchid  J,  teched  P  —  froward]  frowas  R 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  154  recto. 


BK.  VIIl] 


Galerius'  Battles  with  Nurses 


849 


912 


916 


928 


He  was  sent  out  bi  Dioclisian, 
And  maad  emp^rowr  bi  his  auctorite, 
Ageyn  Narseus,  the  proude  knihtli  maw, 
Regnyng  in  Perse  &  lord  of  that  contre, 
Which  heeld[e]  werr^*  with  Roome  the  cite,  — 
For  which  Galerius  took  on  hym  this  emprise, 
With  mihti  hand  his  pride  to  chastise. 

Galerius  entred  into  Perse-lond; 

Kyng  Narseus  mette  hyw  of  auenture; 

Hadde  a  strong  bataille,  fauht  J)er  ho«d  of*  hond;  920 

On  Galerius  fill  the  discomfiture, 

His  fortune  suich  he  myht[e]  nat  endure. 

Clad  in  purpre,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 

Of  Dioclisian  resceyued  this  guerdoun:  924 

At  ther  meetywg,  ano«  or  he  was  war, 

Dioclisian  made  hym  for  tabide, 

To  his  cowfusiouw,  sittyng  in  his  chaar. 

To  walke  on  foote  be  the  charis  side, 

Wit^  many  rebuk  abatid  was  his  pride, 

That  Galerius  for  the  gret[e]  shame 

Gan  seeke  a  mene  ageyn  to  gete  his  name. 

Gan  for  tassemble  his  olde  soudioMrs, 
Made  his  ordenauwce  be  dilligent  werkiwg, 
Ches  out  the  beste  preeuid  werreyowrs; 
WitZ?  a  gret  host  to  Perse  he  caw  ridywg 
And  eflPt  ageyn  fauht  ther  wit^  the  kyng. 
That  the  Persiens,  maugre  al  ther  myht, 
Wer  be  Galerius  that  day  put  to  fliht. 

The  feeld  was  his,  gat  ther  gret  richesse. 
Robbed  ther  tentis,  wan  ther  gret  pillage. 
In  his  resort  resceyued  in  sothnesse 
With*  gret  noblesse,  because  of  that  viage  — 
Thus  can  Fortune  chaungen  hir  visage!  — 
Of  Dioclisian,  wher  he  stood  in  disdeyn, 
Wtt^  newe  triumphe  resortid  is  ageyn. 

This  cloudi  queen  stant  euer  in  noun  certeyn, 
Whos  double  wheel  quau^reth  eu<fr  in  doute. 
Of  whos  fauoMr  no  man  hath  be  certeyn: 


Diocletian 
made  him  em- 
peror and  sent 
him  out 
against  Narses, 
king  of  Persia. 


932 


936 


who  defeated 
him. 


When  he  next 
met  Diocletian 
Diocletian  re- 
buked him, 
and  sitting  in 
his  chariot 
compelled   him 
to  walk  on 
foot  alongside, 
the  shame  of 
which  impelled 


him  to  set  out 
again  to  Persia 
to  recover  his 
reputation.  He 
fought  Narses 
a  second  time, 
and  defeating 
him  won  great 
plunder. 


940 


944 


Thus  Fortune 
can  change  her 
moods.     She 
„     stands  in  un- 
940    certainty. 


914.  &]  om.  R.        920.   of]  for  B,  R,  J,  to  P. 

923.  purpuU  H.         924.   this]  his  R.        927.   chaire  H. 

935.  a  gret]  agre  R  —  he]  om.  H,  R  3. 

942.  With]  In  B,  R,  J,  P,  H  5.       947.   wheel]  quale  H. 


850  Setrrus,  Maxt-ntius,  Licinius  \_\\k.  viii 

her  wheel         Thcr*  ooM  liath  grace,  anol)^r  is  put  oute, 

poised  ever  _  .  ,         , 

ready  to  turn.    Lat  eiuTyiiia«  as  It  coiiietli  aboute 

Take  his  tourn  &:  iicuerc  in  hir  assure; 

Faillyng  in  ariiiys  is  but  an  aucntur^!  952 

AfterwardsGa-  Tluis  GaleHus  aftit  liis  bataill 

leriut  governed     /^       i-«         •  i       • 

Africa  and        (Jn  iersicns  gan  wexen  glorious, 
h'itoidagehe     Gou<rrnid  Aftrik  &  lordshipp  of  Itaille, 
a"i«"»1^ith.    Thoruh  al*  thorient  wex  victorious,  956 

Til  he  for  age  gan  wexen  tedious, 
His  laste  daies  maligned,  as  men  seith, 
Of  fals  hatreede  ageyn[es]  Cristis  feith. 

He  set  two       And  hym  to  helpen  in  thes  fals  mateeris,  [p.  376]  960 

vicars,  Sevcrus  --      .  i      •  i  i   •  c       • 

and  Maxcntius,  It  IS  remcmbrid  to  his  conrusioun, 

in  his  empire       t       1   •  '1  ^^      >.  "I         ' 

to  help  him      In  his  empire  he  sette  too  vikeris, 

Taw  ofThrisf.    The  lawe  of  Crist  toppresse  &  put  douw.* 

Gaff  hem  poweer  in  euifry  regioun  964 

To  purtshe  martirs  &  putte  hew  to  }>e  dej); 
And  in  this  while  ful  many  on  he  sleth. 

Bi  this  saide  cruel  Galerivs, 

Which  of  thempire  had  al  the  gou^rnauwce,  968 

Of  cursid  herte  &  corage  despitous, 

Be  his  vsurpid  imperial  puissaunce 

Gaf  auctorite  for  to  do  vengaunce 

Vnto  tweyne,  Seuerus  &  Maxewce,  972 

On  al  Cristen  bi  mortal  violence. 

and  chose        A  ccrtcyw  space,  bothe  of  oon  accord, 

Maxentius  em-    rr^,  (.  <  •«  «• 

peror,  who        1  hcstat  ot  cmperozir  chose  was  Maxence, 
quafreikdVith  Til  Seucrus  &  he  fill  at  discord.  976 

Icverasdiedof  Auow  aftit  bi  vengablc  pestilence, 
RavennT"^  "    Wzt^bynwe  a  cite  of  notable  premynewce 
Callid  Rauenne,  Seuerus  ther  was  slayw, 
Of  which  Galerius,  God  wot,  was  nothyng  fayw.    980 

Gaierius  next     Fot  which  in  haste  this  Galerivs, 

choseSLicinius,     ^t  d  i      •       i   •      j    r 

a  Danish         Hyw  to  suppotte  &  stoude  in  his  derense, 
emperor  in^^      Chcs  out  of  Denmark  a  kniht  Licinius 
MaxenduV°     To  been  emp^rowr,  thoruh  knihtli  excellence  984 

For  to  withstonde  &  fihte  ageyn  Maxence. 

949.  Ther]  Thel  B,  Thouh  J,  though  P  —  is]  may  be  H. 

952.   an]  om.  R. 

956.    al]  at  B. 

963,  64  are  transposed  in  B,  J. 

965.   punysh  H. 

979.   Rauenna  R. 


BK.  VIIl] 


The  Death  of  Galerius 


851 


But  Maxence,  of  Romeyn  knihtis  all, 
Was  chose  emperowr  &  set  up  in  his  stall. 

With  which  eleccioun  Galleriwj  wex  wood,  988 

Fill  in  a  maner  froward  frenesie, 

His  entrailles  brent[e],  corupt  wex  his  blood, 

And  of  his  froward  vengable  malladie 

In  euery  mewbre  gan  rote  &  putrefie,  992 

That  al  the  hair  aboute  hym  envirouw 

To  all  that  felte  it  was  venym  &  poisoun. 

Lik  a  lazeer,  coorbid  bak  &  chyne, 

In  this  while  on  Cristen  most  vengable,  996 

To  hym  auailed  no  man^r  medecyne. 

But  ther  was  oon  in  Cristes  feith  ful  stable? 

That  spak  to*  hym  vfith  langage  ful  notable. 

In*  woordes  fewe  concludyng  in  swbstaunce,         1000 

"The  grete  Iub[i]ter  hath  take  on  the  vengaunce." 

And  ouermor,  for  short  conclusioun, 

With  a  bolde  spirit  to  hym  began  abraide: 

"It  is  nat  lubiter  worsheped  in  this  toun,  1004 

In  the  Capitoile  set,"  sothli  as  he  saide,  — 

"But  lubiter  that  was  born  of  a  maide. 

Which  wil  nat  suflpre,  of  that  thou  dost  endure, 

That  ony  medicyne  sholde  the  recure.  1008 

Lik  a  tiraunt  be  vengaunce  furious. 

At  myscheef  deieth,  as  olde  bookis  telle, 

Perpetueli  Vfith  cruel  Cerberus 

Vpon  the  wheel  of  Ixion  to  duell."  —  1012 

For  his  demerites  v^ith  Tantalus  in  hell, 

Ther  to  resceyue  his  fynal  last  guerdoun 

Which  coude  on  martirs  haue  no  compassioun. 

It  was  his  ioye  for  to  sheede  her  blood,  1016 

Sent  out  [his]  lettres  to  dyuers  regiouws, 

Lik  a  slih  wolfF,  rauynous  &  wood. 

To  slen  martirs  be  dyuers  passiouns. 

Lik  his  desert  resceyued  his  guerdouns;  1020 

Horrible  deth  first  dide  hym  he<fr  confounde, 

With  Furies  infernal  lith  now  in  hell[e]  bouwde. 


but  the  latter 
was  confirmed 
in  power  by 
bis  soldiers, 
whereupon 
Galerius  went 
mad;  his  blood 
became  cor- 
rupt, his  body 
rotted. 


He  was  like  a 
leper,  but  did 
not  cease  his 
persecutions; 
and  one  who 
was  of  Christ's 
faith  said  to 
him: 


"The  great 
Jupiter  has 
taken  ven- 
geance on  you. 
Not  the 
Jupiter  wor- 
shipped in 
this  town  and 
set  in  the 
Capitol,  but 
the  Jupiter 
who  was  bom 
of  a  maid. 
He  will  suffer 
no  medicine 
to  cure  you." 


It  was  his  joy 
to  slay  mar- 
tyrs, and  he 
received  his 
reward  with  the 
Furies  in  hell. 


990.  wex]]  was  H,  J,  P.      999.   to]  onto  B,  R,  J. 

1000.  In]  In  his  B,  R,  J,  P,  H  5. 

1003.  to  hym  began]  hym  he  gan  R. 

1005.  In]  mydde  H,  Myd  R  3  —  he]  I,  J,  P. 

1022.  Furies]  furious  R. 


852  The  End  of  Maxentius.     Licinius  Qbk.  viii 


[How  maxence  the  Emperour  enmy  to  cristys  feith 
myscheuesly  ended.3  ^ 


After  Gaieri.is      \  FFTIR  Galcrius  crucl  violeiice 

the  empero 


ri"S        A    FF 

Mlxcntiu's        ±S^  GeynCristene  blood,  as  Bochflj-heerhajjtold,  1024 
pttrourfice"      Wit/7  pitous  cheer  thempero/<r  Maxence 
teforcBoch.,.    q^^  ^^^^^  Mochcis,  of  age  Hat  ful  old, 

Famous  in  armys,  sturdi,  fressh  &  bold, 

Al-be  he  entrid  nat  as  enheritO!/r,  1028 

Took  upon  hym  to  regne  as  emperour.* 

He  too  was  an  To  CHstes  fcith  he  was  also  enmy; 

enemy  of  »  r   •  i        i  i   • 

Christ's  faiii.:    Artir  soone  he  loste  his  gou^rnaunce, 

Suddenly" sfa in    Of  infortunyc  slay[e]w  sodenly, —  1032 

the  mi  like  a  God  on  tirauwt<?j-  vn-warly  takith  vengaunce. 

rotten  dog.       Of  whos  buryyng  was  maad  non  ordenaunce,* 
For  he  was  nat  resceyued  of  the  ground. 
But  caste  in  Tibre  lik  a  roten  hounde.  1036 

[How  Lucynyus  enmy  to  cristes  feith  was  slayn.]  ^ 

Licinius,  t!ie      ^  Ncxt  tofor  Bochaj"  Cam  Lycynyvs, 
became  em-      A  kniht  of  Denmark,  born  of  riht  good  lyne, 
^emy,  ^   ''"     Which  had  an  enmy,  the  book  reherseth  \ms, 
wh'o'wis" slain    An  hardi  kniht  callyd  Maxymyne,  1040 

in  Tarsus.        Chose  a  capteyn  y^fith  themperowr  Constantyne; 

To  Cristes  feith  he  bar  gret  enmyte, 

Slayn  anon  aftir  in  Tarce*  the  cite. 

And  Licinius     Of  whos  dcth  Lycynyvs  was  glad,  [p.  377]  1044 

persecuted  the     ^~,  ^-,   . 

Christians  and  (jan  ageyn  Cristene  gret  persecucioun, 

suddenly   went     t       1   •  J  J        1  *  J 

mad.  He  In  his  proceedyng  sodenli  wex  mad. 

Ch°rrstfan"°to  Which  comaundid  of  fals  presuwpcioun 

hoifse  'rnd''  Whan  he  began  doon  execucioun,  1048 

began  a  war  That  no  Ctistenc  nowhct  hynz  beside 

against  Con-  .  iii-i-i  l*j 

stantine,  and.     Jt}i  no  condicioun  shoidc  in  his  nous  abide. 


twice  defeated, 


This  Licynyvs,  which  falsli  dide  erre 

Ageyn  our  feith  Cristen  men  tassaille,  1052 

Geyw  Constantyn  of  newe  he  gan  a  werre; 

1029.  emperour3  gou^rnowr  B,  J. 

1034.  ordenaunce]  mencioun  B. 

1038.  riht  good  of  lyne  R. 

1043.  Tarce3  Trace  B,  J,  R  3,  R. 

1052.  Cristen]  &  Cristen  H,  R  3.       1053.   began  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  IS4  verso.  2  MS.  J.  leaf  154  verso. 


to  keep  the 
peace. 


BK.  Viii^        Licinius  put  to  Death  by  Constantine  853 

But  of  his  purpos  in  sooth  he  dede  faille: 

For  he  was  twies  discounfited  in  bataille 

Be  Constawtyn;  onys  in  Hungrye,  1056 

Next  in  Grece,  beside  Ebalie. 

Thus  Constantyw  thoruh  his  hih  renouw  finally    , 

/^  -1        1  /^  o  •  •        =fc  submitted. 

Gat  nih  al  Grece  &  eueri  gret  cite,* 

Al-be  Lycynyvs  stood  in  rebellioun  1060 

Geyn  Constantyn,  both  on  lond  &  se. 

But  whan  he  sauh  it  wolde  non  o^er  be, 

He  myht[e]  nat  escapen  in  no  place, 

Put  hool  hymsilfF  in  Constantynes  grace.  1064 

But  Constantyn,  for  his  rebellioun,  But  Constan- 

_     „  .  ■'  .      ,  ,  1        1        J     J  tine  put  him 

Gait  lugement  in  haste  that  he  be  ded,  to  death 

Lest  in  the  cite  wer  maad  dyuisioun 

Be  Lycinyvs,  wherof  he  stood  in  dreed.  1068 

This  same  while,  as  Bochas  took  [good]  heed, 

Ther  cam  toforn  hym,  wftZ?  cheeris  ful  pitous, 

Brethre  tweyne,  Cowstantyn  &  Crispus. 


[Off  Constantyne  and  Crispus  &  how  Dalmacyus  was 
slayn.J  ^ 

''  I  ND  Constantyn,  of  whom  I  spak  toforn,  1072  Constantine 

I         _,      .  •'  ~  o     r^   •  had  two  sons, 

JL      Ihei  wer  sonys,  Lonstantyn  &  L-nspz^j".  Constantine 

rr<i  r  1        1  and  Crispus, 

1  he  same  tweyne,  or  o  mooder  born. 

Cam  tofor  Mochas;  his  book  reherseth  thus. 

With  hem  cam  eek  oon  Lycynyvs,  1076 

Sone  to*  Licynyus  which  in  Roome  toun 

AfForn  was  slayn  for  his  rebellioun. 

Constantyn  his  werris  to  gouerne  whom,  together 

Made  hem  vikeres,  the  siiue  same  thre.  1080  Licinius,  he 

T->    1  •!  •        o     1  1  1     !•  made  generals. 

Lchon  riht  wis,  &  koude  weei  discerne 

What  myhte  auaille  most  to  ther  cite, 

Tencrece  the  proffit  of  the  comounte. 

Ther  namys  tolde,  Constantyn  &  Crispus,  1084 

Tofor  remembrid,  with  hem  Licynyvs. 

Whil  these  thre  vikeris  vndir  themperoMr  "^^y  governed 

_,  -iTj  i-i-         •^      -ie   r  Rome  at  the 

Gouermd  Roome,  as  knihtis  nht*  ramoMJ,  time  Arius, 

In  Alisaundre  roos  up  a  gret  errowr  1088 

1059.   cite]  centre  B,  J.       1069.   good]]  om.  R,  J,  P,  H  5. 
1077.   to3  of  B.  1087.   riht]  most  B. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  155  recto. 


854 


Arius  and  his  Heresy.     Delmatius 


[bk.  VIII 


«  falsf  prirst, 
began  his 
heresy  and 
was  cxconi- 
municalcJ. 


His  error  was 

shewn  to  be 

damnable  by  a 

council 

of  ;i8   bishops 

at  Nicsca. 


1092 


During  this 
time  Constan- 
tine  slew  his 
three  generals, 
in  favour  of 
his  cousin 
Delmatius, 


who  was 
shortly  after- 
wards killed 
by  his  own 
soldiers. 


1 100 


Bi  a  fals  prccst  Icallid  Arryus, 

To  our  bcleiic  a  thyng  contraryous. 

And  for  he  tlide  ageyn  our  feith  so  werche, 

Bi  a  decre  he  was  put  out  of  cherche. 

Bi  a  seen  at  Bithynye  ful  notable, 

In  Nicea,  a  famous  gret  cite, 

This  erroMF  was  preuid  ful  dawpnable: 

Thre  hundred*  bisshopis  wer  present  ther,  parde,  1096 

And  cihtene,  the  cronicle  who  hst  see. 

And  allc  thes  clerkis  of  o  sentence  iHk 

Preeuyd  Arryvs  a  fals[e]  heretik. 

This  same  tyme,  bookis  specefie 
How  Constantyn  of  hasti  cruelte. 
The  saide  vikeres,  nih  of  his  allie, 
Feyned  a  cause  to  slen  hem  all[e]  thre. 
No  cause  rehersid  nor  told  of  equite, 
Saf  onli  this,  in  which  he  gan  proceede, 
To  make  his  cosyn  Dalmacivs  to  succeede. 

But  his  faupwr  was  nat  fortunat 

Toward  Dalmacius,  nor  gracious  in  sentence. 

Among  whos  knihtifj  fill  a  sodeyn  debat, 

Constantyn  ther  beyng  in  presence. 

Dalmacius,  withoute  reuerence, 

With  sharpe  suerdis,  to  speke  in  woordes  fewe, 

Vnto  the  deth  was  woundid  &  Ihewe. 


1 104 


1 108 


1112 


Both  Con- 
stans  and 
Constantius, 
young  brothers 
of  Constantine, 
wanted  to  be 
emperor,  and 
so  they  fought 
one  another. 


[Off  the  brethre  Constaunce  &  Constanc3rus  &  how 
Magnencyus  &  decyus  moordred  hem  self.i]  ^ 

^  Than  cam  Constans  and  Constancius, 

Yonge  brethre,  thus  writ  myn  auctowr. 

To  Constantyn  in  tyme  of  Arryvs.  1116 

And  ech  of  hem  be  ful  gret  labour 

Dide  his  peyne  to  regne  as  emperowr, 

Til  at  the  laste,  breefli  for  to  seie, 

Euerich  of  hem  gan  othir  to  werreye.  1120 

Constans  had     This  saide  Constans  is  entrid  Perse-lond; 

nine  battles  -  .,.  i        r       l  c 

with  Sapor  and   JNyne  tymcs  he  taunt  ageyn  bapore, 
clml^^!'       The  same  kyng,  as  ye  shal  vndirstond, 

1092.   he^  OOT.  H.       1093.   a  seen]  a  Sene  R,  a  Sceno  H,  assent 

J,  P,  a  scene  R  3  —  at]  in  H.         1094.   Niceyne  P. 
1096.   hundred]  C.  B.         1102.   so  nyh  R. 
1  MS.  J.  leaf  15s  recto. 


BK.  \ui]  Constans,  Constantius,  Magnejitius 


855 


That  with  Romeyns  hadde  fouht  afFore.  1124 

But  fynalli  Constans  hath  hym  so  bore, 
To  holde  the  feelde  he  myhte  nat  endure; 
For  upon  hym  fill  the  disconfiture. 

His  fortune  gan  to  chauwgen  anon  riht,     [p.  378]  1128 

Whan  that  he  lefte  to  be  vertuous; 

He  was  in  Spaigne  slay[e]w  be  a  kniht, 

In  Castel  Tunge,  callid  Magnencius. 

Than  was  non  lefFt  but  Constancivs;  1132 

The  Romeyw  kni[h]tis,  destitut  echon, 

Ches  hem  an  emperowr  callid  Vetramon. 

^  This  Vetramon  was  ferr  [ijronne  in  age, 

Bareyn  of  witt,  koude  non  lettrure,  1136 

Nor  in  knihthod  had  no  gret  corage, 

Nor  was  nat  hable  to  studien  in  scripture, 

Nor  lik  an  emperowr  no  while  to  endure; 

For  Constancius,  of  whom  I  spak  now  late,  1140 

With  this  Vetremon  cast  hym  to  debate. 

This  Vetremon  hath  lefFt  his  estat. 

List  nat  werreye  ageyn  Constancius, 

Forsook  the  feeld[e],  loued  no  debat.  1144 

But  of  Spaigne,  myw  auctowr  writeth  }pus, 

As  I  wrot  late,  how  that  Magnencius 

Geyn  Constancivs  with  suerd[e],  spere  &  sheeld 

Presumed  proudli  for  to  holde  a  feeld.  1148 

To  gret  damage  &  hyndryng  of  the  toxin, 

For  many  Romeyn  thilke  day  was  ded, 

Beside  a  cite  which  callid  was  Leoun; 

Til  at  the  laste,  of  Vifrray  coward  dreed,  1152 

Magnencivs,  which  capteyn  was  &  hed 

Ageyn  Constancius,  hath  the  feeld  forsake. 

Loo,  how  Fortune  can  hir  chaunges  make! 

Magnencivs  for  V(?rray  sorwe  &  shame  1156 

Bood  no  lenger,  but  gat  hyw  a  sharp  knifF, 

Sool  be  hymsilfF,  wher[of]  he  was  to  blame, 

Roof  thoruh  his  herte  &  loste  [so]  his  lyiF. 

His  brothir  Dencivs,  partable  of  the  stryfF,  1160 

1 13 1.  Castel  Tunge]  Castiltunge  H,  Castrell  tunge  J,  Castyl 
tong  P  —  Mangnencius  R,  H,  Maxencius  J,  Magvencyus  R  3, 
Magnentius  P. 

1 134.   callid]  callid  hym  R,  H  5,  om.  P  —  Vetranion  P. 

1148.   proudli]  stoutly  H.        1157.   gat]  gafF  R. 

1 158.   wherof]  wher  R,  J.         1160.   Demecyus  H  —  the]  his  H. 


But  when 
he  ceased  to  be 
virtuous,  his 
fortune 
changed; 
and  he  was 
slain  in  Spain 
by  Magnentius 
and  succeeded 
by  Vetranio, 


who  was  old 
and  illiterate 
and  no  great 
soldier;  and 
when  Constan- 
tius made  war 
on  him  he 
abdicated. 


Magnentius, 
however,  re- 
sisted Con- 
stantius, but 
finally  he  fled 
out  of 
cowardice. 


and  pierced 
his  heart 
with  a  knife. 
His  brother 
Decius 
hanged 
himself. 


8s6  The  Story  of  Constantino  the  Great  [bk.  viii 

Aboute  his  necke  cast  a  myhti  corde 
And  heeng  hynisilf[e],  bookis  so  rccorde. 

Constantius       Constaiiclus  cHcs  aftir  hytn  Galliis, 

made  hit  uncle     .,.  ,         ,  ,   .  "  -, 

Callus (fovcrn-    His  viiclcs  hiotliir,  to  goihTiic  Traii/jce;  1164 

or  of  France,  a     ■t-ir  r    I      ^"  ^  if  n  ^       • 

false  tyrant       Was  a  tals  tirau»t,  cruel  [andj  outraious, 
«J^ce«ied  by     Soonc  aftir  slayn  for  his  mysgou^rnaunce. 
£.'ll!*r.".t'..;       Another  viker  for  his  disobeissau^zce, 

was  assassi-  _  ' 

nated.  Callid  Siliuuivs,  bc  iugenie^t  was  slayn;  1168 

For  which  in  France  ful  many  a  man  was  fayn. 


pHow  Constantyne  baptized  bi  Siluester  was  cured 
of  his  lepre.]  ^ 


I  shall  now       /^FF  this  matecr  stynte  I  wil  awhile 

make  a  digres-     ■      ■      .       i    r   i 

sion  to  Con-      V^   And  rolwc  myn  owne  strange  oppynyoun, 
cau"se'"Bochts     Fto  Constanciwj  t?<rne  awey  my  stile,  1172 

about'this        To  his  fadit  make  a  digressioun, 
notable  man.      Causc  Bochas  makcth  but  short  mencioun 
Of  Constantyn,  which  be  record  of  clerkis, 
Was  so  notable  founde  in  al  his  werkis.  1176 

Born  in  This  myhti  prince  was  born  in  Breteyne, 

Bntam.  son  of     _  i        r>  i  i  •     i       i  i 

St.  Helena,  and  bo  as  the  Brut  plcynli  doth  vs  lere; 

or,° h^  w^s^^"^"    His  hooli  moodir  callid  was  Heleyne, 

attacked  by       Hc  in  his  daics  most  knihtli  &  enteere.  1180 

leprosy  Qf  matcial  actis  he  knew  al  the  maneer^, 

Chosen  emperowr  for  his  hih  noblesse. 

Fill  to  [be]  lepre,  cronicles  expresse. 

and  advised  to  His  soor  SO  grcuous  that  no  mcdccyne  1184 

piscina  filled      Mihte  auaile  his  seeknesse  to  recure; 

with  the  inno-    tt      r  i  -u     i  i 

cent  blood  of    rlc  [wasj  counsauled  to  make  a  gret  piscyne, 
ch    ren.  With  innoccnt  blood  of  childre  that  wer  pure 

Make  hyni  cleene  of  that  he  did  endure.  1188 

Thoruh  al  Itaille  childre  anon  wer  souht, 
And  to  his*  paleis  be  ther  moodris  brouht. 

The  strange         It  waS  gtCt  tOUthc  tO  bcholde  &  SCC, 

hideous  crying  Of  tendtc  moodrcs  to  heere  the  sobbyng,  1192 

of  their  tender     r*      r      •  r     i  i  • 

mothers  was  so  Be  lutious  consttcynt  oi  thct  aduersite, 

dreadful  to  hear, 

1 169.  a]  om.  H. 

1 170.  I  will  stynt  R,  H,  R  3,  H  5. 
I181.    he]  om.  R. 

1 186.   piscyne]  puyssyne  H.       1190.   his]  ther  B,  the  J. 


^  MS.  J.  leaf  155  verso. 


BK.  VIIl] 


Constantine  cured  of  his  Leprosy 


857 


Hir  clothes  to-rent,  bedewed  wzt^  weepywg. 
The  strauwge  noise  of  ther  hidous  criyng 
Ascendid  up,  that  ther  pitous  clamour  1196 

Kam  to  the  eris  of  themperottr. 

Of  which[e]  noise  themperowr  was  agrised. 

Whan  that  he  knew  ground  &  occasiouw 

Of  this  mateer,  afForn  told  &  deuysed,  1200 

This  noble  prince  gan  haue  compassiouw; 

And  for  to  stynte  the  lamentacioun 

Of  all  the  women  ther  beyng  in  presence. 

Of  merciful  pite  hath  chauwgid  his  sentence.         1204 

This  glorious,  this  gracious  emperoMr 

Is  clomb  of  merci  so  hih  vpow  the  staire. 

Spared  nouther  vitaille*  nor  his  tresoMr, 

Nor  his  langoMr  that  dide  hyw  so  appaire.  1208 

Wzt^  ful  glad  cheer[e]  maad  hem  to  repaire; 

Where  thei  cam  sori  to  Roome  the  cite, 

Thei  hom  returned  glad  to  ther  contre. 

Roial  compassioun  dide  in  his  herte  myne;  [p.  379]i2i2 

Ches  to  be  sik  rather  than  blood  to  sheede. 

His  brest  enlumyned  with*  grace  which  is  dyuyne, 

Which  fro  the  heuene  dide  vpon  hym  spreede. 

He  wolde  nat  sufFre  inwocentis  bleede,  1216 

Preferryng  pite  &  merci  mor  thaw  riht; 

He  was  visitid  vpon  the  next[e]  niht. 

Petir  and  Poule  to  hym  dede  appere, 

Sent  fro  the  Lord  as  heuenli  massagers,  1220 

Bad  Constantyn  been  of  riht  good  cheere, 

"For  he  that  sit  aboue  the  nyne  speeris. 

The  Lord  of  Lordis,  Lord  of  lengest  yeeris, 

Wil  that  thou  wete,  —  haue  it  weel  in  mywde,  — 1224 

In  mount  Serapti  thou  shalt  thi  leche  fywde.  ^ 

God  of  his  grace  list  the  to  visite. 

To  sheede  blood  because  that  thou  dost  spare; 

He  hath  vs  sent  thi  labowr  for  to  quyte;  1228 

Tidyngis  brouht  of  helthe  &  thi  weelfare 

Pope  Siluester  to  the  shal  declare, 

1 195.  oOand  R,  &H,  R3,  H  5. 

1 196.  pitous^  hidous  H. 

1203.  or]  And  H.         1205.   2nd  this3  &  this  H. 

1207.  vitaille]  his  vitaille  B,  R,  H  —  his]  om.  H,  R  3,  P. 

1209.  hem]  home  H. 

1214.  with]  bi  B,  J,  P.       1217.   mifrcy  and  pite  R. 


that  the 
emperor 
was  horrified; 
and  climbing 
high  on  the 
stair  of  mercy 
he  sent  them 
all  home  un- 
harmed. 


His  heart  was 
penetrated  by 
royal  compas- 
sion and  he 
chose  to  be  ill 
rather  than 
shed  the  blood 
of  innocents. 


The  next  night 
Peter  and  Paul 
appeared  to 
him  and  bade 
him  be  of  good 
cheer:    "You 
will  find  your 
leech  on  Mt. 
Serapti. 


"God  has 
sent  us  to 
reward  your 
labour;    Pope 
Sylvester  will 
tell  you  how 
you  shall  be 
cured." 


858  Consiantines  Cure  and  Baptism  [bk.  Viil 

As  we  haue  told[c],  he  riht  wecl  assured, 

Of  thi  seeknesse  how  thou  slialt  he  rccurid,  1232 

This  Sylvester  Xo  iiiou/jt  Seraptl  ill  al  hast  that  thou  seende, 

did,  and  bap-       ,-     q-        .-■  l   •  ,, 

titing  him,  he    buitrc  ^iluestci"  coHie  to  till  presciicc. 

Souht  &  fou«de,  breefli  to  make  an  eende, 
Resceyued  aftir  with  deu  reuerence,  1236 

Dide  his  deucer  of  enteer  dilhgence, 
Lik  as  the  lyfFof  Siluester  hath  deuised, 
Be  grace  maad  hool,  whan  he  was  baptised. 

His  flesh  «as     His  flessh  renewed  and  sodenly  maad*  whiht        1240 

•uddenly  made     t->         i      •  i  •  i        r  i         • 

white  by  iJe  thries  wassnyng  m  the  tressn  piscyne 

washing  in  the    r\i-  i      i-   ■  ii         r  i    i-i 

piscina  of  holy  Ut  holi  Daptcm,  wclle  or  most  dehnt, 
baptism.  ^j^gj.  ^j^g  j^Q^jj  Q^^^  jjj^^j  j^yj^  enlumyne. 

Enfourmyd  aftir  be  techi«g  &  doctryne  1244 

Of  Siluester,  lik  as  niyw  auctour  seith. 
Of  alle  articles  that  longe  onto  our  feith. 

The  font  of       The  font  was  maadfe]  of  porfirie  stoon, 

porphyry  was      -.xt,  •    ,  r  •      l  r  r> 

afterwards        Which  was  attir  bc  cost  ot  Constantyn  1248 

a°ring  of  gold,    Wjt^  a  round  bie,  that  dide  aboute  gon, 
andfine^tones  Of  gold  &  petle  &  stonis  that  wer  fyn; 
tVnS«pe"nse.  Myd  of  the  fout,  riht  up  as  a  lyn, 

Vpon  a  piler  of  gold  a  lauwipe  briht,  1252 

Ful  of  fyn  bawme,  that  brente  day  &*  niht. 

He  also  pro-     A  lamb  of  gold  he  did  also  prouyde, 

vided  of  pure       _  ^  •      c  i       -i 

gold  a  pillar,      bet  on  this  tont  vpon  a  smal  pileer, 

fainb!''a'n  image  Which  Hk  a  conduit  vpon  eueri  side  1256 

of  Our  Saviour,   gj^^j  ^^^  ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^.j^^^j  ^j^^j.^ 

On  whos  riht  side  an  ymage  most  enteer 

Was  richeli  forgid  of  our  Saueowr, 

AI  of  pure  gold,  that  coste  gret  tresowr.  1260 

and  one  of       And  of  this  lamb  vpon  the  tothir  side, 

John  the  .        .  ,  , 

Baptist.  An  image  set  longe  to  endure 

Of  Baptist  lohn,  with  lettres  for  tabide 

Graue  coriousli,  &  this  was  the  scripture:  1264 

"Ecce  Agnus  Dei,  that  did  for  man  endure, 

On  goode  Friday  offrid  up  his  blood, 

To  saue  mankynde  starf  upon  the  rood." 

1232.   recurid]  cured  R.         1233.   that]  om.  R. 

1240]   His  flessh  his  senewes  maad  sodenli  whiht  B,  J;  R  and 

H  5  omit  2nd  his. 
1241.    puyssyne  H.         1246.    longeth  to  R. 
1253.   day  &]  al  the  B,  J.       1255.   this]  his  R. 
1256.  conduct  R.       1264.   was]  om.  R. 


BK.  V1113  Constantine* s  Laws  of  great  Virtue 


859 


He  leet  also  make  a  gret  censeer  1268 

Al  of  gold,  fret  with  pedes  fyne, 
Which  be  nyhte*  as  Phebus  in  his  speer 
Thoruh  al  the  cherch  most  fresshli  did[e]  shyne; 
Ther  wer  fourti  stonis  iacynctyne.  1272 

Appollos  temple,  myn  auctoMr  writ  the  same. 
Was  halwid  newe  in  Seynt  Petris  name. 

The  Romeyn  templis,  that  wer  bilt  of  old. 

He  hath  fordoon  with  al  ther  maumetrie;  1276 

Ther  false  goddis  of  siluer  &  of  gold 

He  hath  tobroke  vpon  ech  partie. 

This  goodli  prince,  of  goostli  policie. 

Set  of  newe  statutis  of  gret  vertu  1280 

To  been  obseruid  in  name  of  Crist  \es\i, 

^  The  firste  lawe,  as  I  reherse  caw, 

In  ordre  set  with  ful  gret  reuerence. 

That  Crist  \es\x  was  sothfast  god  &  man,  1284 

Lord  of  Lordis,  Lord  of  most  excellence, 

"Which  hath  this  day,  of  his  benyuolence. 

Cured  my  lepre,  as  ye  haue  herd  deuysed. 

Be  blissid  Siluester  whan  I  was  baptised.  1288 

This  gracious  Lord,  my  souereyw  Lord  Ihesu, 

From  hen[ne]s-foorth,  for  short  conclusioun, 

I  wil  that  he,  as  Lord  of  most  vertu, 

Of  feithful  herte  &  hool  afFecciouw  1292 

Be  worsheped  in  euery  regioun;  — 

No  man  so  hardi  my  biddeng  to  disdeyne. 

List  he  incurre  of  deth  the  greuous  peyne." 

^  Folwyng  the  day  callid  the  secouwde,  [p.  380]  1296 

This  Constantyn  ordeyned  a  decre. 

That  who  that  euere  in  [the]  touw  wer  founde 

Or  ellis-wher  aboute  in  the  contre,  — 

What-euer  he  were,  of  hih  or  louh  degre,  1300 

That  blasfFemed  the  name  of  Crist  \es\i. 

Be  doom  sholde  haue  of  deth  a  pleyw  issu. 

^  The  thridde  day,  in  euery  mannys  siht, 

Bi  a  decre  confermed  &  maad  strong,  1304 

To  any  Cristene  who  that  dide  vnriht 

1269.  Al]  om.  H.       1270.   nyhte]  myhte  B. 

1272.  wer]  was  R.       1277.   Ther]  The  R. 

1281.  name]  J)e  name  H. 

1295.  of  deth  the]  the  deth  off  R. 


Also  a  great 
censer  of  gold 
and  pearls  that 
shone  like  the 
sun,  and  40 
jacinths.     He 
turned  the 
temple  of 
Apollo  into  St. 
Peter's 


and  destroyed 
the  Roman 
temples  and 
broke  the 
images  of  the 
false  gods,  and 
enacted  new 
statutes  of 
great  virtue. 


The  first  de- 
clared that 
Christ  Jesu 
was  truly  god 
and  man. 


"From  hence- 
forth I  will 
have  him 
worshipped  in 
every  part  of 
my  empire 
upon  pain  of 
death." 


The  second 
punished 
blasphemy  of 
the  name  of 
Christ  by 
death. 


The  third  pro- 
vided for  the 
confiscation  of 
one  half  of 
the  wealth 


86o  Constantine  s  virtuous  Decrees  [bk.  Viii 

of  «ny  Be  oppressioun  or  [be]  collateral  wrong, 

"resM^  or         It  should[c]  iKit  bc  tatiecl  oucr  long, 
ChTristun"        Who  vver  convict  or  gilti  sbal  nat  chese  1308 

Be  lawe  ordeyned  halff  his  good  to  lese. 

The  fourth        ^  The  fourthe  day,  amo?fg[es]  Romeyns  all 

pope  the  pre-    This  pryuvlegc  pronou;/cid  in  the  toun, 

JuUng'thc^        Youe  to  the  pope  sittyng  in  Petris  stall,  1312 

l!inT?uieVhrs    As  soLiercy?!  hed  in  euery  regioun 

temporal  lords,  "j^  hauc  the  reule  and  iurediccioun 

Of  preestis  alle,  allone  in  alle  thyng. 

Of  temporal  lordis  lich  as  hath  the  kyng.  1316 

The  fifth  ^  To  the  cherche  he  granted  gret  franchise 

granted  freedom ,_,        ^  ~         ,  _  •    l  l  •  U       .^ 

to  the  church     1  he  hite  day  &  special  liberte: 

and  the  right  of  t/t        r  i  • 

asylum  to         Yif  a  felou7j  in  any  man<?r  wise 

fugitives.         y^  fynde  socoz/r  thidir  dide  flee,  1320 

Wit/;yn?te  the  bou»dis  fro  dauwger  to  go  fre, 
To  been  assurid  &  haue  ther  ful  refuge 
From  execucioun  of  any  temporal  iuge. 

The  sixth  for-    ^  No  man  presume  witZ?ynne  no  cite,  —  1324 

bade  men  to       r-r^j  •  1  '         1  rr*     1   * 

build  churches    1  hc  sixtc  day,  he  gait  this  sentence,  — 
Ucen?efrom      No  man  SO  hardi,  of  hih  nor  louh  degre, 
the  bishop.       Jq  beelde  no  cherche,  but  he  haue  licence, 

Of  the  bisshop  beyng  in  presence;  1328 

This  to  seyne,  that  he  in  his  estat 

Bi  the  pope  afForn  be  approbat. 

The  seventh      f  The  seuenthe*  day,  this  lawe  he  did  eek  make: 
the'tenth  part  Of  all  poccssiouns  which  that  be  roiall,  1332 

?oyai  posses-     The  tenthe  part  [y]eerli  shal  be  take 
llToSed''^  Be  iugis  handis,  in  parti  &  in  all, 
annually  for      Whichfel  tresowr  thei  delyuere  shall, 

building  L    J  1       1        1  1  •  r 

churches.         As  the  statut  doth  pleynli  specene,  1336 

Hool  &  enteer  cherchis  to  edefie. 

On  the  eighth    ^  The  cihte  day  meekli  he  ded  hym  quite, 

day  Constantine  ,^-r.   ,  o     i  i_  i         rr         * 

took  off  his       With  gret  reuerence  &  humble  atteccioun, 
an^^'Srg"'  Whan  he  did  of  al  his  clothes  white  1340 

s°"pete/r^      And  cam  hymsilf  on  pllgrymage  doun 
Tofor  Seynt  Petir  of  gret  deuocioun; 
Natwithstondyng  his  roial  excellence, 
Made  his  confessioun  in  open  audience.  1344 

13 10.   fourthe]  fourty  R. 

13 15.  and  alle]  on  H. 

1331.   seuenthe]  vij  te  B.         1335.   Whiche]  wit^  H. 


BK.  VIIl] 


Constantino's  touching  Confession 


86 1 


His  crowne  take  of,  knelyng  thus  he  saide 

With  weepywg  eyen  &  vois  most  lamentable, 

And  for  sobbyng  as  he  myht  abraide: 

"O  blissid  I^j-u,  o  Lord  most  merciable,  1348 

Lat  my  teres  to  the  be  acceptable; 

Resseyue  my  prayer;  my  request  nat  refuse, 

As  man  most  synful,  I  may  me  nat  excuse. 

I  occupied  thestat  of  the  emperot^r;  1352 

Of  thi  martirs  I  shadde  the  hooli  blood. 

Spared  no  seyntes  in  my  cruel  errowr. 

The  to  pursue  fell,  furious  &  wood. 

Now  blissid  lesu,  most  gracious  &  most  good,       1356 

Peised  &  considered  myn  importable  ofFense, 

I  am  nat  worthi  to  come  in  thi  presence. 

Nor  for  to  entre  into  this  hooli  place, 

Vpon  this  ground  vnhable  for  to  duell,  1360 

To  opnen  myn  eyen  or  to  left  up  my  face; 

But  of  thi  merci  so  thou  me  nat  repell. 

As  man  most  synful,  I  come  vnto  thi  well, 

Thi  welle  of  grace  and  merciful  pite  1364 

For  to  be  wasshe  of  myn  iniquite." 

This  exauwple  in  open  he  hath  shewed. 

His  staat  imperial  of  meeknesse  leid  aside. 

His  purpil  garnement  with  teres  al  bedewed;         1368 

Suerd  nor  sceptre  nor  hors  upon  to  ride 

Ther  w^as  non  seyn,  nor  baners  splaied  wide; 

Of  marcial  tryumphes  ther  was  no  tokne  founde, 

But  criyng  merci,  thempifronr  lay  plat  to  grounde.  1372 

The  peeplis  gladnesse  was  medlid  with  wepyng. 

And  ther  weepyng  was  medlid  with  gladnesse, 

To  seen  an  empero^r  and  so  notable  a  kyng 

Of  his  free  chois  shewe  so  gret  meeknesse.  1376 

Thus  entirmedlid  was  ioie  &  heuynesse: 

Heuynesse  for  passid  old  vengaunce. 

With  newe  reioisshyng  of  gostli  repentaunce. 

This  ioye  was  lik  a  feeste  funerall,  [p.  381]     1380 

In  folk  of  custum  that  doon  ther  besi  cure 
To  brynge  a  corps,  which  of  custum  shall 


removed  his 
crown  and 
confessed, 
weeping  and 
with  a  sorrow- 
ful voice,  that 
he  was  a  sinful 
man. 


that  he  had 
shed  the  blood 
of  saints  and 
martyrs. 
"I  am  not 
worthy,  bjessed 
Jesus,  to 
appear  in  thy 
presence; 


but  I  come  to 
thee  to  be 
washed  clean 
of  my 
iniquity." 


This  example 
he  gave  in 
public,  bedew- 
ing his 
garments 
with  tears  and 
laying  aside 
his  royal 
insignia. 


The  people 
wept  for  joy 
to  see  so 
notable  an  em- 
peror and  king 
shew  such 
meekness. 


It  was  like  a 
funeral  where 
the  corpse 
comes  to  life, 


1345.  thus  nelyng  R.       1347-    as]  so  as  H.         1349.   be  to  l)e  H. 

1352.  the]  om.  H,  an  R.       1354-   cruel  in  myn  errour  H. 

1355.  The]  Them  {but  corrected)  H,  Them  P  —  fell]  most  P. 

1369.  nor]  ne  H.       1377.   was  ioie]  wer  loyes  H. 


862  Other  noble  Deeds  of  Constantine  [bk.  vill 

•nd  everybody  Hauc  al  tlic  fihtis  of  liis  scpulturc, 

laughs  and  A       i    ■  i    •  c  ^ 

weeps  at  once.  Aiul  111  tliis  tyiuc,  ot  soucyn  auciiture  1384 

To  lyf  ageyn  restored  be  his  bonys, 
Causyng  his  frecndis  to  lauhe  &  weepe  attonis. 

Thus  the  r^TieSenibhibH  dependyng  atween  tweyne, 

rejoiced  and         „,  ^  c        1  •    i  •     •      1 

wept  by  turns    1  he  pecple  wepte,  &  tnerwith  reioisshywe  i?88 

to  iee  their  T-i  •  i-  i 

emperor  askins  lo  sccn  tiler  eiiip^TOi/r  SO  pitousM  compleyne, 

mercy  for  his       1?        \  '     ^ 

wn«.  i^or  his  trespacis  nierci  requeryng: 

Of  ioie  and  sorwe  a  gracious  medlyng. 

That  day  was  sey[e]n  gladnesse  meynt  with  moone,i392 

Wit/j  weepyng  lauhtre,  &  al  in  o  persona. 

Afterwards  he    Aftjr  al  this  he  digged  up  hymselue 
stones  with  his  Stoncs  twelue,  wher  he  lay  knelyng, 

own  hands  and   taji  1  •  r  1 

put  them  into  [AnclJ  putte  hem  in  corynes  tuelue,  1396 

memory'of"\hc  On  the  tuelue  postlis  deuoutli  remembryng, 
buiK' chu'rch  Compassed  a  ground  large  for  beeldyng, 
of  St.  Lateran   Besidc  his  paleys  caste  theron  to  werche 

in  tneir  name,    -r       /-~\   • 

In  Cristes  name  to  sette  up  ther  a  cherche.  1400 

He  also  made    The  place  of  oldc  calHd  Lateranence, 

a  law,  that  if      ^.,  j       j    c     J    •  1  i- 

any  pauper  or   Dilt  and  eaenea  m  thaposths  name. 

cripple  became    r^  i  i      i         i  • 

a  Christian  he  Lonstantynvs  bar  al  the  dispense, 

a  new  outfit' of  Otdeyned  a  lawe,  myn  auctowr  seith  the  same,     1404 

lo'Sng'"'^    Yif  any  poore,  nakid,  halt  or  lame 

Resceyue  wolde  the  feith  of  Crist  lesxXy 
He  sholde  be  statut  be  take  to  this  issu: 

In  his  promys  yif  he  wer  founde  trewe,  1408 

That  he  wer  nat  be  feynyng  no  faitowr, 

He  sholde  first  be  spoiled  &  clad  newe 

Be  the  costage  off  the  emperoMr, 

Tuenti  shillyng  resceyue  to  his  socowr,  1412 

Of  which  resseit  nothyng  was  w{t/??drawe, 

Be  statut  kept  &  holde  as  for  a  lawe. 

coun't^au  hts     ^^  ^^^  ^^  longc  to  putte  [al]  in  memorie, 

noble  deeds  and  His  hih  prowessc  &  his  notablc  deedis,  1416 

victories;    but       a       j  1  r     i  •  • 

they  are  all      And  to  reherse[nj  euery  gret  victorie 

Legend  of^       Which  that  he  hadde  with  hostis  that  he  ledis; 

Sylvester,         ^j^j  ^^  Tcmembre  al  his  gracious  speedis, 

1394.  digged]  giggid  {partly  erased)  R. 

1397.  On]  Of  R. 

1398.  large  for]  for  large  (biggyng)  H. 
1409.  fatour  R,  H,  fantour  R  3. 

1418.    1st  that]  om.  H,  R  3  —  2nd  that]  which  H. 


BK.  viii]]         Constantine's  Vision.     Constantinople 


863 


The  surplusage,  who  list  [to]  comprehende,  1420 

Lat  hym  of  Siluestre  reede  the  legende. 

And  among  othir,  touchywg  his  visiouw, 

Which  that  he  hadde,  in  cronicles  men  may  lere, 

Whaw  that  he  slepte  in  his  roial  dongoun,  1424 

How  Crist  to  hym  did  graciousli*  appeere, 

Shewed  hym  a  cros,  &  seide  as  ye  shal  heere: 

"  Be  nat  afFerd  upon  thi  foon  to  falle, 

For  in  this  signe  thou  shalt  ouercome  hew  alle."  1428 

Be  which  auyseouw  he  was  maad  glad  &  liht 

Thoruh  Goddis  grace  &  heuenli  influence. 

First  in  his  baneer,  that  shon  so  cleer  &  briht, 

The  cros  was  bete,  cheef  tokne  of  his  difi^ence.      1432 

Slouh  the  tirauwt  that  callid  was  Maxence, 

Aftir  whos  deth[e],  thoruh  his  hih  renoun 

Of  al  thempire  he  took  pocessiouw. 

In  which  estat  he  meyntened  trouthe  &  riht,     1436 

Vpon  al  poore  hauyng  compassiouw, 

Duryng  his*  tyme  holde  the  beste  kniht 

That  owher  was  in  any  regioun, 

Of  Cristes  feith  thymperial  champioun,  1440 

Thoruh  his  noble  knihtli  magnificence 

To  alle  Cristene  protectowr  &  difFence. 

Aftir  his  name,  which  neuer  shal  appall, 

Chauwged  in  Grece  the  name  of  Bizante;  1444 

Constawtynople  he  did  it  aftir  call, 

And  on  a  steede  of  bras,  as  men  may  see, 

Manacyng  of  Turkis  the  contre. 

He  sit  armyd,  a  gret  suerd  in  his  bond  1448 

Them  to  chastise  that  rebelle  in  that  lond. 

Reioisshe  ye  folkis  that  born  been  in  Breteyne, 

Callid  othirwise  Brutis  Albioun, 

That  hadde  a  prince  so  notabli  souereyne  1452 

Brouht  forth  &  fostrid  in  yowr  regiouw, 

That  whilom  hadde  the  domynaciouw. 

As  cheef  monarche,  prince  &  president, 

Ouer  al  the  world,  from  est  til  Occident.  1456 

1425.  did  graciousli3  graciousli  did  B. 

1426.  ye]  om.  R. 
1429.  glad]  om.  R. 
1432.  bete]  boFif  H. 
1438.  his]  this  B. 

1450.   ye]  the  R.  I45S'   monarchye  H. 


especially  his 
vision  of 
Christ, 
who  shewed 
him  a  cross 
saying,  "By 
this  sign  shalt 
thou  conquer," 


which  so 
pleased 
Constantine 
that  he  had 
the  cross 
beaten  in  his 
banner,  and 
slaying  Max- 
ence, took 
possession  of 
the  whole 
empire. 

He  ruled 
justly,  having 
compassion  on 
the  poor,  and 
was  held  the 
best  knight  of 
his  time. 


He  named 
Byzantium 
Constantino- 
ple; and  there 
he  still  sits 
armed  on  a 
steed  of  brass, 
menacing  the 
country  of 
the  Turks. 


Rejoice, 
Britons, 
that  your  land 
brought  forth 
such  a  prince, 
chief  monarch 
of  all  the 
world! 


864 


Julian  the  Apostate,  a  cursed  Man  [bk.  viii 


\\'hen  he  died 
the  sun  was 
not  seen  for 
a  month, 
and  there  was 
a  great  comet 
in  the  south 
that  drew 
towards  his 
palace  In 
Nicomedia. 


Tyme  of  his  deth,  that  moneth  of  J^e  yeer 
Phebus  nat  scyn,  wzt/'drouli  his  feruent  heete; 
And  longe  afFoin[e]  large,  brod  &  cleer, 
Toward  Affrik  shewed  a  gret  comete, 
Alway  encresyng,  drouh  toward  the  sate 
Of  Nichomedie,  shon  erli  &  eek  late, 
Wher  in  his  paleis  he  passed  into  fate. 


1460 


After  Con- 
stantine  came 
Julian  the 
Apostate,  his 
cousin,  a  cu 


[How  lulian  Apostata  enmy  to  cristys  bi  fals  Illu- 
sions was  chose  Emperour  and  aftir  slayn.3  ^ 

AFFTIR  the  deth  of  this  marcial  man, —  [p.382]i464 
I 


man. 


meene  this  noble  worthi  Constantyn, 
r'sed  Kometh  Thapostata,  cursid  lulian, 

Which  be  discent  to  Constantyn  was  cosyn. 
His  gynyng  cursid,  hadde  a  cursid  fyn, 
Entred  religioun,  as  bookis  specefie, 
Vnder  a  colour  of  fals  ipocrisie. 

who  entered  re-  It  hath  be  seid[e]  of  antiquite, 

hypocrisy.        Whcf  that  thet  is  dissymuled  hoolynesse, 

a  double  iniq-      t^   •      •        ij- j    j         i  i       •     • 

uity.   Fie  on     It  IS  icallid  doublc  iniquite,  — 
perfectlonT'^      Fih  Ott  al  suich  feyned  parfitnesse! 

For  symulacioun  curid  with  doubilnesse 
And  fals[e]  semblaunt  with  a  sobre  face, 
Of  alle  [fals]  sect<fj-  stonde  ferthest  out  of  grace. 

For  a  time  he  A  certeyn  space,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 

devoted  himself  ,_         ^  r        •  i         I'li  Mr  ^• 

to  religion,  and  1  o  al  perieccioun  he  did  nymsilr  applie, 

then,  wearying    rT-i..   |  .       -  ,   .  r        • 

of  his  order,      1  il  he  wcx  wcri  Or  his  protessioun, 

ga\^himsetf"!ip  Forsook  his  ordre  bi  apostacie. 

to  necromancy.  ^^^  £j.g^.  |^g  ^^^  hjm  to  nigromancyc, 

Double  Apostata,  as  myn  auctowr  seith. 
First  to  his  ordre  &  aftir  to  our  feith. 


1468 


1472 


1476 


1480 


1484 


Constantius 
Bent  this  root 
of  hypocrisy  to 
be  governor  of 
Gaul,  where  he 
conspired  to 
get  possession 
of  the  whole 
empire. 


Bi  ordynaunce  of  Constancivs, 
This  said  lulian,  roote  of  ipocresie, 
Of  goU(?rnaunce  froward  &  vicious, 
Was  sent  to  Gaule  with  gret  cheualrie 
As  viker  chose  the  contre  for  to  guye. 


1488 


1461.  sete^  cite  R.  1466.   the  Apostita  H. 

1468.  1st  cursid]  om.  R.  1472.    ther]  he  R. 

1473.  callid  R.  1476.   sobre]  doubil  H,  soure  J. 

1477.  fals]  om.  J,  P. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  157  recto  —  How]  So  J. 


BK.  Viii]        Julian's  Alliance  with  wicked  Spirits 


86s 


1492 


1496 


1500 


1504 


1508 


Gat  hym  fauour  &  falsli  gan  conspire 
To  haue  pocessiouw  of  al  the  hool  empire. 

And  for  he  was  nat  likli  to  atteyne 
To  that  estat,  he  did  his  hert  appUe 
Another  mene  pleywli  to  ordeyne, 
Wikked  spiritis  to  make  of  his  allie, 
Becaw  a  prentys  to  lerne  sorcerye, 
To  haue  experience  be  invocaciouws 
To  calle  spiritifj-  with  his  coniurisouns.* 

Be  fals  illusiouw  in  the  peeplis  sihte, 

Of  wikked  spiritis  had  so  gret  fauour,  — 

A  crowne  of  laurer  upon  his  hed  aliht,  — 

Made  folk  to  deeme,  hi  ful  fals  errowr, 

It  caw  be  myracle,  to  chese  hym  emp^rowr. 

Which  of  trouthe  as  in  existence 

Was  but  collusioun*  &  feyned  apparence. 

With  hem  he  hadde  his  cowuersaciouw, 

Spared  nat  to  doon  hem  sacrefise 

Wit^  cerymonyes  &  fals  oblaciouw. 

And  to  thempire  he  roos  up  in  this  wise." 

Thestat  resceyuyd,  first  he  gaw  deuyse 

Ageyn  Grekis,  out  of  his  contre  ferre, 

To  make  hym  strong  with  hem  to  haue  a  werre.  1512 

The  Feend  a  while  was  to  hym  fauourable, 

Gaf  hym  entre  and  pocessiouw, 

And  made  hym  promys  for  tabide  stable 

In  his  lordship  and  domynaciouw, 

To  haue  this  world  vndir  subiecciouw; 

Of  which  beheste  he  stood  in  pereilous  cas, 

Folwyng  thoppynyoun  of  Pigtagoras. 

^  Pigtagoras  hadde  this  oppinyoun: 

Whan  men  deide,  anon  aftir  than 

Ther  was  maad[e]  a  translaciouw 

Of  his  speryt  in-tanothir  maw, 

A  maner  liknesse;  the  Bible  telle  can, 

The  double  speryt  of  grace  &  prophecie 

To  Heliseus  was  grantid  be  Helye. 

1491.  To  haue]  off  all  R  —  al]  ow.  R. 

1496.  Becam]  he  becam  H,  J,  R  3. 

1498,  coniurisouns]  coniuraciouns  B.       1502.    to]  om.  H. 

1505.  collusioun]  intrusioun  B,  R,  J,  H  5. 

1506.  conuifrsaciouns  H.       1508.   oblacions  H. 
1511.  Ageyn]  geyn  H.       1512,   haue  a]  ha  H. 


and  at  first 
not  succeeding, 
allied  himself 
with  wicked 
spirits  and  be- 
came an  ap- 
prentice to 
sorcery, 


and  made  the 
people  believe 
that  a  crown 
of  laurel 
alighted 
on  his  head  by 
miracle,  _ 
whereas  it 
was  set  there 
by  the  spirits 
to  whom  he 
sacrificed. 

In  this  manner 
he  was  chosen 
emperor. 


1516 


1520 


1524 


He  made  war 
on  Greece;  and 
for  a  while  the 
devil  favoured 
him. 


Following  the 
opinion  of 
Pythagoras, 


who  believed 
in  the  trans- 
migration of 
souls. 


866  Julian,  an  Enemy  of  Christ's  Lazv  \jrvl.  viii 

he  thouRht  that  Heeron  concludync;,  lik  his  oppynyoun, 

he  himself  had      .       r>.  rr  i   • 

•ucha  spirit.     As  1  ictagoFas  artermecl  in  sciitence,  1528 

with  all  its  i  t        i  i        i  i      r    i 

knowledge  and   He  that  haclde  rul  pocessioun 

wi  om,  Q^  suicli  a  speryt,  in  v^Tiay  existence 

Sholde  haue  the  same  wisdam  &  science, 

The  disposicioint  aftir  hym  as  biyue,  1532 

Which  hadde  that  speryt  whil  he  was  heer  alyue,  — 

the  spirit  of      Of  goiu'rnau?;ce  and  also  of  nature 
and  Pluto"  en-    Rescmblyn  hym,  of  man<?res  &  lyuyng. 
i'tt^iifs* belief     And  thus  be  fraude  Pluto  did  his  cure  1536 

To  make  lulian  to  truste  in  eueri  thyng, 
He  hadde  be  berth  the  sperit  of  the  kyng 
Callid  Alisaundre,  be  which  he  sholde  wynne 
This  world  be  conquest,  whan-euer  hyw  list  begynne. 

So  he  trusted    Thus  gan  he  fonne  &  falle  in  fantasie  1541 

the  infernal       To  trustc  on  Pluto  &  goddis  infernal, 

*°  '■  Thei  sholde  enhaunce  hym  bi  his  cheualrie 

For  to  posseede  and  reioysshe  al,  —  1544 

Suerd,  sceptre,  crowne  and  staat  imperial, 
Passe  Alisaundre  in  honour  &  in  glorie 
And  hym  excelle  in  tryu7?iphal  victorie. 

He  also  trusted  He  trustcd  Sathan,  be  whom  he  was  desceyuid,  [p. 383] 

Satan,  and  •t'      .^    •  i  i  i 

became  a  lo  Cristes  lawc  becam  mortal  enmy;  1549 

t^°christ"s'?a^v  Wher  that  euere  that  he  hath  parceyued 

crosses°and  Cros  or  crucifix,  he  brak  hem  vengabli. 

je"u's^h"caiied  ^^  ^^^^  language  he  callid  traitourly,  1552 

•Gaiiiiee'  and  Crist  Icsw  he  calHd  Gallile, 

sometimes    the  ' 

Nazarene'  in     And  of  despiht  sumtyme  Nazare. 

scorn. 

Ageyn  our  feith  this  tirant  wex  so  wood, 
[And]  ageyn  Crist  hadde  so  gret  hatreede;  1556 

He  slew  many   Slouh  many  martir  &  falsli  shadde  hir  blood, 

martyrs  and  .        •  i    ,  <,  •        i        i 

was  an  idolater  An  idoiatre  &  renegat  m  deede. 

renega  e.    f^ggjj  mortal  wcrre  vfith  hem  of  Perse  &  Meede; 

Comyng  to  Perse,  first  he  gan  debate  1560 

Geyn  Sapor  kyng,  of  whom  I  spak  but  late. 

And  he  fought  Of  Parthois  also  he  entrid  thoruh  the  rewm, 
Wher  he  fond  no  maneer  resistence. 
And  as  he  cam  forbi  Iherusalem,  1564 

1528.  in]  this  H.  1529.   He  that]  \>at  he  H. 

1543-  hym]  om.  H.  1545-   Suerd]  Off  Swerde  R. 

1550.  1st  that]  om.  H.  ISS2-   caUith  H. 

1558.  &]  an  H.  1561.   Sapor  kyng]  kyn  Sapors  H. 


BK.  VIIl] 


The  Death  of  Julian  the  Apostate 


867 


To  the  lewes  of  newe*  he  gaf  Hcence 

To  beelde  the  temple  with  gret  dilligence, 

In  despiht,  of  purpos  to  do  shame 

To  Cristene  cherchis,  bilt  newe  in  Cristes  name.  1568 

In  this  while  he  kauht  a  gret  corage, 

In  a  theatre  maad  brood  in  that  touw, 

Too  wilde  beestis  cruel  and  sauage 

Of  seyntis  blood  to  make  oblaciouw,  1572 

Thei  to  deuoure  men  of  religioun. 

And  alle  Cristene  of  purpos  to  destroye, 

His  lust  was  set  &  al  his  worldly  ioie. 

Bi  an  heraud  that  dide  his  host  cowveye,  1576 

Of  verray  purpos  to  brynge  hym  in  treyne, 
Bi  strauwge  desertis  fond  out  a  froward  weye. 
The  heete  importable  did  hym  so  constreyne, 
Brente  thoruh  the  barneys,  felte  so  gr^t  peyne;  — 1580 
The  drye  sondis,  the  heir  infect  with  heete 
Made  many  a  maw  ther  lyfF  in  hast  to  lete. 

This  froward  tiraunt,  knowyng  no  remedie, 

Of  cursid  herte  gaw  Crist  \es\x  blasfFeme,  1584 

And  of  malicious  hatreed  &  envie, 

Wood  &  furious,  as  it  dide  seeme, 

Gan  curse  the  Lord,  that  al  this  world  shal  deeme, 

Crist  lesns,  which  of  long  pacience  1588 

List  nat  be  vengauwce  his*  malis  recowpence. 

A  mor  cruel  was  ther  neuer  non, 

Nor  mor  vengable:  nat  Cerbervs  in  hell, 

Mortal  enmy  to  goode  men  euerichon, 

Whos  blasfemys  and  rebukis  fell, 

Be  rehersaile  yif  I  sholde  hem  tell,  — 

I  am  aiFerd  the  venymous  violence 

Sholde  infecte  the  heir  with  pestilence. 


and  let 
the  Jews 
rebuild  their 
temple,  to  do 
shame  to 
Christian 
churches. 

In  Jerusalem 
he  oflfered 
saints  to  wild 
beasts  and  all 
his  joy 
lay  in  the 
destruction 
of  Christians. 


A  herald,  who 
guided  his 
army,  led  him 
into  a  desert, 
where  the  heat 
killed  many  of 
his  men: 


1592 


1596 


He  cast  out  dartis  mor  bittir  than  is  gall 
Of  blasfemye  &  infernal  langage; 
And  in  this  while  among  his  princis  all 
A  kniht  vnknowe,  angelik  of  visage, 
Fresshly  armyd,  to  punshen  his  outrage. 


1600 


1565.  or  newe]  anon  B,  J,  anone  P —  of  newe  he  gaf]  of  newe 

and  of  R. 
1573.  to]  om.  H. 

1576.   heraud]  Heronde  H,  heraude  J,  herand  R,  Herauld  P. 
1579.   The]  to  H  —  hym]  hem  H.       1580.   the]  their  H. 
1589.   his]  this  B.       1591.   nat]  om.  H. 


and  this  fro- 
ward tyrant, 
knowing  noth- 
ing better,  be- 
gan to  curse 
Christ,  of 
malicious 
hatred. 


A  more  cruel 
and  revenge- 
ful man  was 
never  seen,  not 
even  Cerberus 
in  hell.     His 
blasphemies 
would  infect 
the  air  with 
pestilence  if  I 
were  to  repeat 
them. 

During  this 
while  an  un- 
known knight 
appeared 
among 

his  princes  and 
thrust  a  spear 
into  his  heart. 


868  Julian  slain  by  a  Knight  dead  and  buried    [bk,  viii 

With  a  sharp  spcre,  thoriih  ciicry  synwe  &  veyne, 
Of  this  tirau»t  roof  the  hcrte  on  twcync. 

Some  men  say    Bathid  In  hls  bloocl,  this  tlrau«t  fill  doun  lowe,     1604 

this  kniuht   was  n-      ,-.      i    .,  c  1    c  1' 

Mercurius.  lo  Ciod  &  iiia/i  trowarci  6:  odious. 

Thouh  for  that  tyme  the  kniht  ne  was  nat  knowe, 

Yit  sum;«e  men  seyn  it  was  Mercurivs, 

Which  hi  the  praieer  of  Basilius  1608 

This  tiraiw;t  slouh,  as  cronicles  don*  us  lere, 

Bi  a  myracle  of  Cristes  inooder  deere. 

who,  buried  This  Mcrcurius,  as  bookes  determyne, 

Ces°a7ea." rose  In  Ccsaria,  a  myhti  strong  cite,  1612 

u  mange"''  WHthywit  the  contre  callid  Palestyne, 

lrjayed°h'mleif  Buried  afFom,  roos  up  at  this  iourne 

iha't'Vun"'""'^'  O"^  °^  ^'^  graue,  a  straunge  thyng  to  see; 

beside  his  An  hors  brouht  to  hym,  arraied  in  his  armure,      1616 

mounted 'a  Which  hecng  toforn  beside  his  sepulture. 

horse. 

The  same         The  Same  armvre  was  nat  sey^i  that  niht 

noT°^en''untii    Nor  on  the  morw^e  at  his  graue  founde 

ing.  a"d  pa'n  Til  mydday  hour,  that  Phebus  shon  ful  briht,       1620 

downTmid-    Whan  Mercury*  gaf  hym  his  fatal  wounde, 

<^»>-  His  blasfemye  for  euer*  to  confounde. 

Which  thyng  accowplisshed,  this  myracle  for  to  pr-?ue, 
He  and  his  armure  wer  ther  ageyn  at  eue.  1624 

That  was  the    Of  his  blasfemye  this  was  the  sodeyn  wrak 
Ws  biasphem°y.  Which  the  tiraunt  resceyuid  for  his  mede. 

His  last^words    ^j^^  j^^^^  ^.^^^.j  j  ^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^p^j^. 


were. 


GaiiikeT'Hf"  "Thou  Gallile  hast  ouercome  in  deede!"  1628 

cast  his  blood    Jook  the  bloodfe]  that  he  did[e]  bleede, 

in  the  air  in  _  ,        .  .        J  . 

despite  of  Jesus,  y}^ is  Jeuelissh  man,  deymg  m  despeir, 

Despiht  of  \es\x  cast  up  in  the  heir. 
His  body  was    His  bodi  flay[e]n  &  his  skyn  was  take,    [p.  384]    1632 

flayed  and  hisrT->  ir-i  ^  jl'JJ 

skin  tanned       1  awed  aitir  be  presept  and  biddyng 

?he  gTte^of"    Souple  and  tendre  as  thei  coude  it  make,  — 

I'he  Pe'rsfan^''     Sapor  bad  SO,  that  was  of  Perse  kyng, 

king  Sapor.       That  men  myht  haue  therof  knowlechyng  1636 

Erli  on  morwe  &  at  eue  late. 

He  did  it  naille  upon  his  paleis  gate. 

1604.  his]  om.  R,  his  oun  H.       1605.  To  God  &]  To  goode  a  R. 

1606.   ne]  om.  H.         1607.   seyn]  seynt  R. 

1609.   don]  doth  B,  J.         1621.   Mercurius  B,  R,  J. 

1622.   euer]  euermor  B,  H,  R,  P,  H  5,  R  3. 

1630  is  misplaced  before  1628  in  H,  correction  indicated. 

163 1,  in]  in  to  H. 


BK. 


VIIl3 


Blasphemy  is  contrary  to  Virtue 


869 


And  to  a  cite  that  was  callid  Kaire, 

As  cronicles  make  rehersaille,  1640 

This  Apostata  wolde  ofte  a-day  repaire 

To  a  woman,  which  hadde  in  hir  entraille 

Spiritis  closid,  to  make  his  dyuynaille. 

In  whos  wombe,  bareyn  &  out  of  grace,  1644 

Of  wikkid  feendis*  was  the  restyng*  place. 

This  said[e]  woman  was  a  creature. 

The  which  afForn  be  cursid  lulian. 

Be  his  lyue  his  purpos  to  recure,  1648 

In  sacrifise  was  offrid  to  Sathan. 

And  so  as  he  with  cursidnesse  began, 

Swich  was  his  eende,  as  all  bookis  tell, 

Whos  soule  with  Pluto  is  buried  deepe  in  hell.      1652 

With  this  tiraunt  Boch^j-  gan  wex[e]  wroth 

For  his  most  odious  [hatful]  fel  outrage, 

And  to  reherse  in  parti  he  was  loth 

The  blasfemyes  of  his  fell  langage;  1656 

For  nouther  furye  nor  infernal  rage 

May  be  conzparid,  with  poisoun  fret  withynne, 

To  the  fals  venyw  of  this  horrible  synne. 

It  is  contrarie  to  alle  goode  thewes,  1660 

And  tofor  God  most  abhomynable; 

Hatful  to  alle  saufFto  cursid  shrewes: 

For  of  alle  vices  verray  incomparable. 

Most  contagious  &  most  detestable,  1664 

The  mouth  infect  of  suich  infernal  houndis 

Which  eueri  day  sle  Crist  wzt^  newe  wouwdis. 

Folk  obstynat  of  purpos  for  the  nonys. 

Of  disposicioun  furious  &  wood,  1668 

Nat  afferd  to  suere  [by]  Goddis  bonys. 

With  horrible  othes  of  bodi,  flessh  &  blood, 

The  Lord  dismembryng,  most  gracioMJ,  most  good. 

His  feet,  his  handis,  armys,  face  &  bed,  1672 

Reende  hym  of  newe,  as  thei  wolde  haue  \\ym  ded. 

The  blissid  Lord,  which  is  inmortall, 

Thouh  thei  be  dedli,  thei  wolde  hym  sle  ageyn. 

Thei  be  erthli;  he  is  celestiall;  1676 


During  his 
lifetime  this 
Apostate  used 
to  consult  a 
woman  in 
Cairo  ivhose 
belly  was  the 
resting  place  of 
evil  spirits, 


and  whom  he 
afterwards 
oflFered  up  in 
sacrifice  to 
Satan. 


Bochas  began 
to  grow  angry 
with  this 
tyrant  for  his 
outrages  and 
blasphemies. 
Neither  fury 
nor  infernal 
rage  can  be 
compared  to 
blasphemy. 


It  is  contrary 
to  all  virtue 
and  abomina- 
ble to  God. 


Obstjnate  folk 
of  evil  disposi- 
tion swear 
horrible  oaths 
by  God's  bones 
his  body  and 
blood,  dismem- 
bering him  of 
new,  as  if 
they  would 
again  have  him 
dead. 

Although    they 
are  earthly  and 
he  celestial, 
they  have  no 
discretion; 


1641.   ofte^  of  R.       1643.  his]  hir  H.       1645.   feendis]  spiritis 

B,  J,  P  —  restyng]  duellywg  B.         1648.    his]  hir  H. 
1657.   furye]  om.  R  —  nor]  nor  noon  H,  R  3,  H  5. 
1667.   Folkis  H.     1669.   by]  om.  R,  J.     1672.   armys  handis  H. 


870  Blasphemy  comes  from  Pride.     Falens         [bk.  viii 

In  froward  wise  tliel  be  ouerseyn; 
Discrcciou;/  failcth;   thcr  resoii;j  is  in  veyn: 
Al  suicli  Ma[s]ffeniye,  for  short  conclusioun, 
Proceedith  of  pride  &  fals  anibicioun.  1680 

and  it  seems  If  scenietli  to  me,  tlici  haue  foule  failed 

they  are  very  Of  kynd[e]nesse  to  doon  liym  reuerence, 

to^do'him  "°  Which  for  ther  loue  upon  a  cros  was  nailed 

wa»"n"iied 'on°  To  paie  the*  raiw/soun  for  man^iys  gret  offence,    1684 

suffered  Tith  Suffrcd  dcth  with  humble  pacience, 

for  their  sake,  p^jg  rebuicyug,  spltt^^ig  in  his  visage, 

To  brynge  ma/zkynde  onto  his  heritage. 

It  all  comes  pals  sutouedie  that  doth  the  hertis  reise  1688 

from  pride:  and   ^-.^        •    i     i  i        r  i   •      T     i" 

Satan  is  the      Ut  suicH  blastemours,  as  was  this  lulian, 
J uuln*  «""'*'    Whos  gret  empire  myht  nat  countirpeise 
tTnate^S'ning  Ageyu  that  Lord  which  is  bothe  God  &  maw. 
under  him.       Thorigyual  grou??d  of  pride  was  Sathan;  1692 

Prince  vndir  hym  most  infortunat 
Was  this  Apostata,  regnyng  in  his  estat. 

What  was  the   What  was  thc  eende  of  this  tirauwt  horrible, 

cruel  felon?  He  This  cruel  felou7i,  hatful  to  eueri  wiht?  1696 

ToutiypfcTced     Be  sodeyn  myracle  to  al  his  host  visible, 

by^a  h^^eniy    Ther  did  appeere  a  v^rray  heuenli  kniht, 

knight.  Most  fresshli  armyd  &  angelik  of  siht. 

With  a  sharp  spere,  sittyng  on  his  steede,  1700 

Made  the  tirauwt  his  herte  blood  to  bleede. 

His  false  gods    His  falsc  goddis  myhte  hym  nat  auaile, 

could  not  help     ....  i      rr  i 

him  nor  all  his  His  irowatd  oitryng  doon  to  maumetrie, 
fnvocTtions.       Nor  al  his  proude  imperial  apparaille,  1704 

His  inuocaciouws  nor  hatful  sorcerye: 
For  this  Apostata,  that  did  his  feith  denye, 
Among  his  knihtis  slayn  be  deth  sodeyne; 
His  soule  dampned  with  Sathan  depe  in  peyne.    1708 

[How  the  Emperour  Valence  /  slouh  heremytes  shad 
cristen  blood  destroied  chirches  &  after  was 
brent.]  ^ 

Bochas  next      T^OCHAS  in  hast[e]  doth  his  stile  dresse 
Vakns°and       -L3  Next  to  thcmp^rowr  ^ax.  callid  was  Valence, 
abourthe"^      Rchersing  first  the  parfit  hoolynesse 

perfect  holiness 

1684.  the]  ther  B,  R,  J,    1685.  \>e.  deth  H. 
1700.  sharp]  om.  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  158  recto. 


BK.  viii]     Valens  persecutes  the  Hermits.     Theodosius 


871 


Of  hermytis,  that  dide  ther  dilligence  1712 

To  lyue  in  penauwce  &  in  abstynence; 
Forsook  the  world[e],  &  for  Cristas  sake 
Into  desert  thei  haue  the  weye  take. 

In  this  world  heer  thei  list  no  lenger  tarye,  [p.  385]  1716 

Dyuers  &  double,  of  trust  noun  certeyn; 

Ferr  in  Egipt  to  lyue  solitarye, 

Deepe  in  desertis,  of  folk  nat  to  be  seyn. 

The  soil  was  drye;  of  vitaille  ful  bareyn;  1720 

The  frutles  treen  up  sered  to  the  roote: 

For  Cristes  loue  thei  thouhte  that  lyfF  most  soote. 

This  said  Valence,  of  malis  frowardli 

To  thes  hermytes,  that  lyued  in  gr(?t  penauwce,    1724 

Causeles  [to  hem]  was  gret  enmy, 

Troubled  hem  &  did  hem  gret  greuaunce. 

Lik  a  tiraunt  set  al  on  vengauwce, 

Destroied  cherchis  with  peeple  that  he  ladde;       1728 

And  wher  he  rood  Cristen  blood  he  shadde. 

This  mene  while  be  robbyng  &  rauyne 

In  Mauritayne,  which  is  a  gret  contre, 

Ther  was  a  prince  that  callid  was  Fyryne;  1732 

And  in  Cesarea,  a  famous  gret  cite, 

For  his  extorsiouw  &  his  cruelte 

He  took  upon  hym,  proudli  ther  regnyng, 

Maugre  [the]  Romeyns  to  be  crownid  kyng.  1736 

Theodose  the  Firste,  a  mawli  maw, 

Was  sent  out  his  malys  to  withstonde 

Be  the  biddyng  of  Valentynyan, 

Which  that  tyme  thempire  hadde  on  honde,  1740 

Bothe  attonys;  but  ye  shal  vndirstonde, 

Theodose  was  sent  out  to  assaile 

The  saide  Feryn,  and  slouh  hym  in  bataille. 

Of  which  Feryn,  be  ful  cruel  hate,  1744 

In  that  contre  presumptuousli  regnywg, 

Smet  of  his  hed  &  set  [it]  on  the  gate 

Of  Cesaria;   this  was  his  eendyng, 

Which  be  intrusioun  afForn  was  crownid  king         1748 


of  hermits,  who 
forsook  this 
world  of  vari- 
ance for 
Christ's  salce, 


and  lived  far 
away  in  the 
deserts  of 
Egypt,  where 
the  soil  was 
dry  and  there 
was  little  food. 


Valens  was 
without  cause 
their  enemy. 
Wherever  he 
rode  he 
destroyed 
churches  and 
shed  Christian 
blood. 


In  the  mean- 
while a  prince 
called  Firmus 
took  upon  him- 
self to  reign  in 
Cesarea,  in 
despite  of  the 
Romans,  so 


Valens  sent  out 
Theodosius, 
co-emperor, 
against  him. 
Firmus  was 
slain, 


and  his  head 
cut  off  and  set 
up  on  the  gate 
of  Cesarea. 


1716.  lenger]  lenger  no  R. 

1722.  thei]  the  R  —  most]  so  H. 

1725.  enmy]  envye  H.       1728.   peeplis  H. 

1734.  1st  his  is  erased  H  —  2nd  his]  gret  H. 

1735.  ther]  the  R.       1737.    man]  knyht  R. 

1746.  it]  om.  R.       1747]  of  Cesaria  a  Cite  of  gret  bildyng  H. 


872  Valens'  Defeat  and  Death  [bk.  vill 

In  Mauritayne,  oppressing  thein  be  dreed, 
As  ye  haue  herd,  For  which  he  loste  his  hed. 

ReturninR  to     In  this  matcer  Boch^j"  doth  nat  soio«rne 

\  alcns,   Rochai    ,^  ,  ,  I'll' 

•ays.  that  out     Hc  iioii  attcouaiu/ce  nor  no  long  uilligence,  1752 

of  frowarJ  i->  r  i       I 

curjcdncss  to     liut  o\  piupos  dotli  agcyn  reto;<rne 
he'siew"iii'the  To  thcmperowT  that  calHd  was  Valence, 
hermits;  Which,  as  I  tolde,  dide  so  gret  offence 

To  hooh  cherch  of  froward  cursidnesse,  1756 

Slouh  al  hermytes  that  bood  in  wildirnesse. 

but  God  would  God  wold  nat  suffre  he  sholde  long  endure, 

not  suffer  such    ^~  ,  .  •  •  i  i     rr 

a  tyrant  to       Ciraiw/teth  no  tirau«t  to  haue  heer  no  long  lytt; 
Gmhs°"r?i5eiied'  For  be  sum  myscheef  or  sodeyw  auenture  1760 

li^Vof  onrof"  Thei  deien  be  moordre,  v^nth  dagger,  suerd  or  kniff. 
his  princes        jj^g  Gothois  whilom  ageyn  hym*  gan  a  stryfF,  — 

For  his  outrage  &  gret  oppressioun 

Thei  ageyn  Romeyns  fill  in  rebellioun.  1764 

called  Maximus.  A  princc  ofF  his  callid  Maxymvs 

and  became  so    y-».  .   •  .   . 

strong  that  theyUistresscd  hem  bi  SO  gret  tiranye, 

defeated  N'alens  ttt  i  ^         • 

himself,  Was  vpon  hem  so  contrarious, 

That  thei  gadred  al  ther  cheualrie  1768 

And  wex  so  strong  vpon  ther  partie, 
That  bi  ther  manhod,  it  fill  of  auenture, 
Thei  on  Valence  made  a  disconfiture. 

and  went  on     Spared  nat  bi  robbyng  and  pillage,  1772 

robbing  and         ci        L    8     U  ^  ^    ..1  •       1 

destroymg        ISlouh  &  brente  many  statli  place, 

cities  and  towns  y-y  a  i       -ii 

and  villages  in  Cites,  touws  &  many  smal  village, 

^"iswhii/"  That  wer  famous  withynne  the  lond  of  Trace. 

cease"to'^p'ir°-°^  But  al  this  while  Valence  gan  enchace,  1776 

secutethe  ^^ij  causeles,  of  malis  voluntarie, 

hermits.  '  i         i- 

Pursued  hermytes  that  lyued  solitarye. 
Collecting  a      And  of  newe  this  Valence  gan  ageyn 

new  army,  he       ^~,  i    •         i  r  r>  L 

proudly  Gret  multitudc  or  Romeyns  to  purcnace,  1780 

Goths.^who^  And  with  his  host[e]  proudli  be  disdeyn 

£b!'"^So  "e  Ageyn[es]  Gothes  caw  doun  in-to  Trace. 

f fotTale'"''^ '°  But  furiousli  thei  mette  hym  in  the  face, 


Wher  lik  a  coward  he  turned  his  visage,  1784 

To  saue  his  lyfF  lay  hid  in  a  cotage. 


1759.   to  haue3  om.  J,  P  —  no]  om.  J,  P. 

1762.   geyn  hym  whllome  H  —  ageyn  hym]  om.  J,  P  —  hym] 

hem  B. 
1776.   enchace]  enhace  R. 
1779.    This  stanza  is  omitted  in  J. 


BK.  \Ul] 


Hermanric,  Gratian,  Theodosius 


873 


Thus  fynalli  this  emp^rowr  Valence, 

As  ye  haue  herd,  failled  of  his  entent. 

The  Gothes  folwed  be  cruel  violence,  1788 

As  wilde  woluys*,  alle  of  oon  assent, 

The  hous  &  hym  to  asshis  thei  haue  brent. 

Loo,  heer  the  fyn,  ye  pryncis  taketh  heede, 

Of  tirauntis  that*  seynt^j  blood  do*  sheede!  1792 


which  the 
Goths  set  on 
fire,  and  was 
burnt  to  ashes. 
That  is  the  end 
of  tyrants,  who 
shed  the  blood 
of  saints! 


[Ofif  kyng  Amarycjms  /  and  how  Gracyan  and 
Theodosie  destroied  temples  of  fals  goddis  /  & 
how  gracyan  was  put  to  flight.]  ^ 

^  Aftir  Valence,  to  God  contrarious, 

In  al  his  werkis  most  froward  of  lyuyng, 

Tofor  Bochas  cam  Amaricus, 

Which  of  Gothes  was  whilom  lord  &  kyng,  1796 

Of  his  gret  age  pitousli  pleynyng, 

Inflat  and  bolle,  list  make  no  delaies, 

Slouh  hywsilf  to  shorte  his  greuous  daies. 

^Than  caw  to  Bochas*  the  brotherofValence,  [p.386] 

The  myhti  empero^r  callid  Gracian,  1801 

Which  hadde  afForn[e]  had  experience 

First  with  his  vncle  Valentynyan 

In  thempire,  as  bookis  telle  can;  1804 

And  aftirward  Theodosie  &  he 

Hadde  gouernaunce  of  Roome  the  cite. 

Theodosie  and  Gracian  of  assent 

Destroied  templis  as  in  that  partie  1808 

Of  false  goddis;  thei  haue  also  doun  rent 

The  grete  idoles  &  al  suich  maumetrye, 

And  ful  deuoutli  gan  chirchis  edefye. 

And  in  this  while,  as  Fortune  list  ordeyne,  1812 

On  Maxymvs  was  vikeer  in  Breteyne. 

An  hardi  kniht,  al-be  he  did[e]  varie 

From  his  promys  maad  be  sacrement; 

In  Breteyne  list  no  lenger  tarie,  1816 

1787]  In  all  his  werkis  most  frowarde  of  entent  H. 
1789.   woluys]  beestes  B,  J,  beastes  P. 
1792.   that]  the  B  —  do]  to  B. 

1795.   Amaricus]  Arynacyus  H,  R  3,  Hermenricus  P. 
1798.   bollen  H. 

1800.   to  Bochas]  doun  B  —  brother]  nephew  P. 
1802,  3  are  transposed  H,  R.       1810.   mawmentrye  H. 
1811.   deuoute  R.       1813.   Maxymyan  H. 
1  MS.  J.  leaf  158  verso. 


After  Valens, 
Hermanric  ap- 
peared before 
Bochas;  once 
king  of  the 
Goths,  he  grew 
old  and 
dropsical  and 
finally  slew 
himself. 


Gratian, 
Valens' 
brother,  and 
Theodosius 
ruled  Rome. 


They  destroyed 
the  temples  of 
false  gods  and 
puUeo  down 
idols  and  built 
churches  at  the 
time  Maximus 
was  governor 
of  Britain. 


Maximus  was  a 
hardy  knight; 


874 


but,  breaklns 
his  oath,  he  left 
Britain  and 
attacked  Gra- 
tiaa 


and  put  him  to 
flight  near 
Paris,  through 
the  bravery  of 
Mcrobandus, 
one  of  his 
captains. 


Maximus  was 
ambitious  to  be 
sole  ruler  of 
the  empire,  and 
Bochas  will  tell 
how  Fortune 
threw  him 
down. 


After  Maximus 
had  slain 
Gratian,  Thco- 
dosius  m&de 
war  on  him 


and  his  general 
Andragathius 
who  defended 
the  Alps, 


and  laying 
siege  to 
Aquileia,  took 
him  prisoner 
and  slew  him. 


Thfodosius'  SlruggU  with  Maximus  [bk.  viii 

But  into  Caule  of  hert  &  hool  entent 

Geyn  Gracian  he  sodenli  is  went. 

And  as  it  till,  set  be  ther  bothe  auys, 

Thei  hadde  a  bataille  nat  ferr  out  of  Parys.  1820 

This  Gracian  was  ther  put  to  fliht 

Bi  the  prowesse  of  a  proud  capteyn 

Callid  Alerobandus,  was  an  hardi  kniht, 

Which  with  his  poweer  hath  so  ouerleyn,  1824 

That  Gracian  was  constreyned  in  certeyn, 

Whan  his  poweer  niyhte  nat  availe 

Geyn  Maxymvs,  to  fleen  out  of  Itaille. 

^  This  Maxymvs  of  pride  gan  desire  1828 

In  his  herte  be  fals  ambiciouw 

To  regne  allone,  &  of  the  hool  empire 

In  his  handis  to  haue  pocessiouw. 

But  in  what  wise  Fortune  threw  hym  doun  1832 

With  suich  othir,  that  be  in  nou[m]bre  fyue, 

In  this  chapitle  Bochas  doth  descryue. 

Ageyn  this  same  tiraunt  Maxymvs, 

Whan  that  he  hadde  slay[e]n  Gracian,  1836 

The  noble  emperour  Theodosius 

To  venge  his  deth  a  werre  in  hast  began, 

Because  also  that  Valentynyan 

Was  wrongli  banshed  thoruh  the  cruelte  1840 

Of  Gracian  ful  ferr  from  his  contre. 

With  Maxymvs  to  holde  up  his  partie 

W^as  Andragracian,  a  ful  notable  kniht, 

Which  was  maad  prince  of  his  cheualrie,  1844 

That  took  upon  hym  of  v^rray  force  &  myht 

To  keepe  the  mounteyns,  that  no  man^r  wiht 

With  Theodose,  armyd  in  plate  &  maile,  — 

No  man  sholde  ouer  the  Alpies  of  Itaile.  1848 

Theodose  maad  a  gret  arme. 

Be  grace  of  God  and  marcial  corage 

Leide  a  seege  to  Aigle,  a  gret  cite. 

And  wan  the  toun,  maugre  his  visage;  1852 

Took  the  tiraunt,  and  for  his  gret  outrage 


1830.   the  hool  empire]  al  thempir,?  H.     1832.   what]  that  R. 
1838.   tavenge  H  —  in  hast  a  werre  R  —  gan  H. 

1841.  from]  out  of  H. 

1842.  Maxymyan  H — With]  Whiche  J. 

1843.  Andragathius  P.       1851.   Aquile  P  —  a  gret]  \)e  H. 


BK.  VIIl] 


The  Victory  of  Theodosius 


875 


BerafFt  hym  first  his  roial  garnement 
And  slouh  hym  aftir  be  rihtful  iugement. 

Whan  Andragracian  knew  that  MaximMj,  1856 

That  was  his  lord,  was  slay[e]n  in  swich  wise, 

Anon  for  sorwe,  the  stori  teUith  thus, 

He  drowned  hymsilf,  as  Bochas  doth  deuise. 

Thus  can  Fortune  make  folk  arise  i860 

To  thestat  of  emp^rowrs  atteyne, 

With  vnwar  strok  yiue  hym  a  fal  sodeyne. 

This  Maximvs,  of  whom  I  spak  tofor, 

Tofore  his  deth[e]  made  an  ordynauwce,  1864 

That  his  sone,  which  callid  was  Victor,* 

Sholde  aftir  hym  gouerne  Gaule  &  Frauwce, 

Whom  Arbogastes  hadde  in  gouifrnaunce  — 

A  gret  constable  with  Valentynyan  —  1868 

Slouh  this  Victor*  to  regne  whan  he  began. 


Andragathius 
drowned 
himself 
for  sorrow. 


Before  his 
death  Maximus 
had  ordered 
that  his  son 
Victor  should 
govern  Gaul, 
but  Victor  was 
slain  by  Ar- 
bogastes, one 
of  Valentin- 
ian's  generals. 


[_k  good  processe  how  Theodosie  wit/i  praiere  and 
smal  noumbre  gat  the  victory.]  ^ 

THAiV  Valentynyan  wi'tZ?  gr^t  apparaile 
Bi  Arbogastes  took  pocessioun 
Of  Lumbardie  &  of  al  Itaile,  1872 

Brouht  al  that  lond  to  subieccioun. 
Than  with  his  poweer  he  cam  to  Gaule  doun, 
Ther  resceyuyd  with  gret  solempnite 
At  Vyenne,  a  famous  old  cite.  1876 

Arbogastes,  of  whom  I  spak  now  late. 

His  cheef  constable,  as  ye  haue  herd  deuise, 

Of  his  lord[e]  be  ful  cruel  hate 

The  deth  conspired  of  fals  couetise,  1880 

Therbi  supposyng  that  he  shold  arise 

Vnto  thestat  to  be  chose  emperoMr, 

Whan  he  wer  ded[e],  lik  a  fals  tretowr. 

Vp  in  a  tour  he  heeng  hym  traitowrli,     [p.  387]     1884 

[And]  to  mor  sclaundre  &  hyndryng  of  his  name, 

Reportid  outward  and  seide  cursidli. 

This  Arbogaste,  to  hide  his  owne  shame,  — 

His  souereyn  lord  to  putte  in  mor  difFame,  — 


Valentinian 
then  took  pos- 
session of  Lom- 
bardy  and 
Italy,  and 
entering  Gaul 
was  received 
with  great 
pomp  at 
Vienne. 


Arbogastes, 
hoping  to  be 
made  emperor, 
conspired  his 
death 


and  hung   him 
up  in  a  tower, 
reporting,  to 
hide  his  guilt, 
that  his  lord 
had  hanged 
himself. 


1856.   Andragathius  P.       1862.   hym]  hem  R. 

1865,  69.  Vittor  B.       1880.  of]  bi  ful  H.       1885.  And]  om.  R. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  159  recto. 


876  Theodosius  prays  for  Victory  [bk.  viii 

Stefll  afformcd,  a  tliyng  that  was  ful  fals, 
How  he  hymsilf[e]  heng  up  bi  the  hals. 

Thus  a  mur-    Thus  lik  a  iiioordrcr  and  a  fals  tretoz/r, 

traitor,  he         Aiul  of  coiidlciou «  hatful  aiid  odious,  1893 

■ought  to  reign    t      1  j  1  ] 

•lone  with         Laboured  sore  to  be  maad  eniperowr, 
fnXturinS'toThat  he  alloue  with  Eugenivs 
exclude  Theodo-jyiii^jg  excludc  Theodosyus, 

First  to  lette  hym,  he  sholde  on  no  partie  1896 

Passe  thoruh  Itaille  nor  thoruh  Lumbardie. 

who  was  in  the  Sette  espies  to  brynge  hym  m  a  treyne, 

birdy°  atta'^iwed  Which  that  tyme,  as  thei  vndirstood, 

him  there.        j^jj^  ^  j^^^  prynce  did  his  besy  peyne,  1900 

As  he  that  thouhte  nothyng  but  on  good, 

In  the  hilles  of  Lumbardie  abood, 

Whom  Arbogast,  of  furious  corage, 

Cast  hym  to  trouble  &  stoppen  his  passage,  1904 

Theodosius.       He  and  Eugenius  beyng  of  assent 

scantily  provi-     _,,  ,       .  ,,.  ., 

sioned,  sur-       1  heodosie  mottalli  tassaile. 

^em1«  a^'nd^"  Which  whan.he  knew  ther  meenyng*  fraudulent, 
mTn^of  his      Al-be  that  he  had  but  scars  vitaille,  1908 

knights,  betook  Q^  eutu  cost  besettc  with  a  bataille, 

nimsell  to  ^  , 

prayer.  ^nd  of  his  knihtis  forsaken  m  maneere, 

He  lefte  all  thyng  &  took  hym  to  praiere. 

Falling  down     With  hym  was  left[e]  but  a  smal  meyne,  1912 

on  his  knee,  he    ry.  o     r   •    i   r    i   •         i  cr 

said.  "O  Lord,    1  rewe  &  reithrul  m  ther  arteccioun. 

of  my'dTstress'i  And  fitst  of  alle  he  fill  doun  on  his  kne 
And  to  lesus  gan  make  his  orisoun: 
"O  Lord,"  quod  he,  "thyn  eres  enclyne  doun,      1916 
And  of  thi  merciful  gracious  [hih]  goodnesse 
Delyuere  me  out  of  my  mortal  distresse. 

"Consider  that  Considre  &  sec  how  that  I  am  thi  kniht, 

biind^by        Which  ofte  sithe  thoruh  my  fragilite,  1920 

?"mMy"      With  flesshli  lustis  bleendid  in  my  siht, 

knight.  ^  thousand  tymes  haue  trespasid  onto  the; 

But,  gracious  lesu,  of  merci  &  pite 

To  my  requestis  benigneli  tak  heed  1924 

Me  to  socoure  in  this  gret[e]  need. 

1901.  As]  And  R  —  on]  om.  H,  J,  R  3,  P. 

1903.  Whom]  Whilome  H. 

1907.  Which]  om.  R  —  meenyng]  mouyng  B.  R.  H  5. 

1909.  besette]  sett  H. 

1920.  ofte]  off  R.       1925.  in]  now  in  H. 


BK.  VIIl3 


The  Prayer  of  Theodosius 


877 


My  trust  is  hool,  pleynli  to  conclude, 

Thou  shalt  foorthre  &  fortune  my  viage, 

Wi't^  litil  folk  ageyw  gret  multitude  1928 

To  make  me  haue  gracious  passage, 

Aftir  the  prouerbe  of  newe  &  old  langage. 

How  that  thou  maist  &  kanst  thi  poweer  shewe 

Geyn  multitude  victorie  with  a  fewe.  1932 

And  as  thou  sauedest  whilom  Israel 

Geyn  Phar[a]os  myhti  strong  puissaunce, 

And  fro  the  leouws  delyueredest  Danyel, 

And  saueddest  Susanne  in  hir  mortal  gr^-uauwce,  1936 

Saue  me  this  day  fro  sorwe  &  myschauwce, 

In  this  myscheef  to  grante  me  this  issu, 

Tescape  fro  daunger  be  grace  of  the,  \es\x\ 

Thi*  blissid  name  be  interpretacioun  1940 

Is  to  seyne  most  myhti  Saueowr; 

Ther  is  no  dreed  nor  dubitaciouw 

That  \esus  is  in  al  worldli  labour 

To  al  that  trust  hym  victorious  protectowr.  1944 

Now,  blissid  lesxx,  pauys  of  my  difFence, 

Make  me  escape  myn  enmyes  violence! 

Lat  myn  enmyes,  that  so  gret  host  do  blowe, 

Thouh  ther  poweer  be  dreedful  &  terrible,  1948 

That  thei  may  bexperience  knowe 

Ther  is  to  the  nothyng  impossible,  — 

Thou  too  and  thre  &  oon  indiuysible, 

Thouh  I  with  me  haue  but  fewe  men,  1952 

Saue  me,  lesxx,  this  day  fro  deth;  Amen." 

§[  The  day  gan  cleere,  the  sunwe  gan  shewe  briht, 

Whaw  Theodosie  deuoutli  lay  knelyng, 

And  be  grace  adawen  gan  his  siht  1956 

Fro  cloudi  wawes  of  long  pitous  weeping. 

His  souereyn  hope  set  in  the  heuenli  kyng, 

\esus  his  capteyn,  in  whos  hooli  name 

That  day  escapid  fro  myscheef  &  shame.  i960 

The  hooli  crosse  bete  in  his  armure, 

Born  as  cheef  standard  toforn  in  his  bataile; 

God  made  hym  strong[e]  in  the  feeld  tendure, 

1935.   delyuerest  R. 
1937.   &]  &  all  H,  R  3. 
1940.  Thi]This  B,  R,  H  s. 
1954.   shewe]  shyne  R,  J. 


"My  trust  is 
that  thou  shalt 
further  my 
enterprise  and 
give  victory  to 
few  against  a 
multitude. 


"As  thou  saved 
Israel  from 
Pharaoh,  and 
Susannah  in 
her  extremity, 
save  me  to-day 
from  this  peril. 


"There  is  no 
doubt  that 
thou  art  the 
victorious  pro- 
tector of  all 
who  trust  in 
thee. 


"Let  my 
powerful  and 
boastful 
enemies 
know  by  ex- 
perience that 
to  thee  nothing 
is  impossible. 
Amen." 


Dawn  found 
Theodosius  still 
on  his  knees, 
almost  blinded 
by  weeping,  his 
hope  set  on 
Jesus. 


The  holy  cross 
was  borne  as 
his  chief  stand- 
ard, and  God 
gave  him 
victory. 


878  Theodosius  defeats  Arhogastes  [bk.  viii 

HardI  as  leoun*  his  enniyes  to  assaile;  1964 

\csus  his  champion;:,  his  plate  &  eek  his  malle,  — 
\esi\s  allone,  set  fix  in  his  iiiemorie, 
Be  whom  that  day  he  hadde  the*  victorie. 

One  of  Ar-       Thet  was  a  kniht,  prince  of  the  cheiialrie  [p.  388]  1968 
er«u,  Arbicio.    Of  Afbogast  aiid  [ot]  Eugenivs, 

deserted  to  the   ii'i   •    •  i       i    i  n-i      i 

side  of  Theodo-  VVhich  gouemed  al  liool[iJ  tlier  partie, 

*'"''  Arbicio  calHd,  manli  and  vertuous, 

Which  goodli  caw  to  Theodosius,  1972 

Did  hym  reuerewce,  &  with  riht  glad  cheer 
Saucd  hym  that  day  fro  myscheef  &  dau?zgeer. 

and  a  miracu-    Whaii  Thcodosic  upon  his  foon  ga?j  sette, 

lous  tempest  of  _  . ,  i       m  i   •  • 

wind,  hail  and  LiK  a  kiiiht  Hat  tumy^ig  his  visage,  1976 

to  his  l°dvan-    And  bothe  batailes  togidre  whan  thei  mette, 
tage.  Of  Theodosie  texpleite  the  passage 

Fill  a  myracle  to  his  auauntage: 
Be  sodeyn  tempest  of  wyndis,  hail  &  reyn  1980 

Troubled  all  tho  that  seeged  the  mounteyn. 

Vulcan  bent  his  Vlcattvs,  which  IS  chcef  smyth  of  heuene, 

guns  of  thunder  ^^  .     ,  i  i-  i 

and  lightning,    (jcyn  Atbogastcs  gan  hym  reedi  make 

awoke  th"e'        To  beendc  his  gunnys  viith  thonder  &  with  leuene,  1984 

riverns"  """'    And  Eolus  his  wyndis  ga«  awake 

Out  of  the[r]  kauernys,  hidous,  brouw  &  blake; 

Alle  of  assent  be  sturdi  violence 

With  Theodosius  stooden  at  difFence  1988 

The  enemy       Agcyn  Eugcnivs  &  Arbogast  his  brothir, 

were  scattered  c>    J  a  o  ' 

their  spears    *  Ther  pecple  and  thei  departed  heer  &  yonder 
shfeids'riven^     Wit^  wynd  and  myst,  that  non  of  hem  sauh  d^er, 
Eugenhi's  was    Bc  vHwar  vengaunce  of  tempest  &  of  thundir,      1992 
and^be"eaded:    Ther  spcres  tobtak,  ther  sheeldes  rofF  assond^r. 
hh^lii''"  ^^^  Eugenivs  take,  aftir  lost  his  hed, 

[And]  Arbogastes  slouh  hymsilf  for  dreed. 

1964.  leouns  B,  J. 

1965.  his]  is  R. 

1967.  the]  that  B. 

1968.  Ther]  Her  R  —  a  prince  H. 

1969.  Arbogastes  P  —  2nd  of]  om.  R,  J,  R  3,  H  5,  P. 

1970.  hooH]  hool  R,  J,  H  5,  whole  P. 

1977.  bothe]  om.  R. 

1978.  texplete  H. 

1980.  tempestes  J,  P  —  haile  wynde  &  reyn  H. 

1981.  seeged]  passid  H.        1986.   ther]  the  H,  J. 
1987.   Alle]  And  R. 

1990.   yonder]  theer  R. 
1995.  Arbogast  P. 


BK.  viii]  The  Story  of  Theodosius'  Penance 


879 


Thus  can  the  Lord  of  his  eternal  myht  1996 

Chastise  tirauwtis  &  ther  maHs  represse; 

Saued  Theodose,  his  owne  chose  kniht: 

Who  trustith  hym  of  parfit  stabilnesse, 

Goth  free  fro  dauwgeer,  escapeth  fro  distrifsse.       2000 

Bookis  recorde  how  Theodosius 

Was  in  his  tyme  calhd  CathoHcus. 

This  myracle  God  Hst  for  hyw  werche, 

Made  hym  victor  for  his  gret  meeknesse.  2004 

[AiForn  and]  afFtir  fouwde  onto  the  cherche 

As  Cristis  kniht;   I  take  onto  witnesse 

His  submyssioun  &  his  deuout  hu^nblesse; 

Of  hastynesse  whan  he  was  vengable,  2008 

He  to  the  cherch[e]  yald  hymsilf  coupable. 

The  caas  was  this,  as  I  reherse  can: 

In  Thesalonica,  a  famous  old  cite, 

Beyng  bisshop  Seynt  Ambrose  in  Melaw,  2012 

Certeyn  iuges*  for  to  doon  equite 

And  sitte  in  doom  hauyng  auctorite, 

Natwithstondyng  ther  commyssioun 

Wer  slayn  be  comouns  entryng  in  the*  toun.        2016 

Wherof*  themp^fOMr  was  nothyng*  glad  nor  fayw, 

But  comauwded  of  hasti  wilfulnesse, 

Whan  he  knew  his  iuges  wer  so  slaytt, 

That  his  knihtis  sholde  hem  thidir  dresse,  2020 

Entre*  the  cite  be  cruel  sturdynesse, 

With  suerd  &  pollex  &  daggeres  sharp*?  whette, 

Indifferentli  slen  al  tho  Jx^t  thei  mette. 

Bi  whos  biddyng  the  cite  to  encoumbre,  2024 

That  day  was  slayn  many  an  innocent: 

Fyue  thousand  ded  remembrid  in  that  nouwbre, 

Moordrid  in  hast  withoute  iugemewt 

Bi  them  that  wern  vnto*  the  cite  sent.  2028 

But  whan  Ambrose  herde  of  this  cruel  deede, 

Lik  a  iust  prelat  thus  he  gan  proceede: 

As  ye  haue  herd[e]  how  this  vengaunce  gan, 

Be  Theodosie  to  chastise  the  cite, 

The  same  eva^eroux  cam  aftir  to  Melan, 


Thus  the  Lord 
can  chastise 
tyrants  and 
save  those  who 
trust  in  him. 


God  worked 
this  miracle 
and  made 
Theodosius 
victorious  for 
his  great  meek- 
ness; and  once 
when  he  was 
revengeful  he 
afterwards  de- 
voutly sub- 
mitted himself 
to  the  church. 


Certain  judges 
in  Thessalonica 
were  slain  by 
the  commons; 
and  the 
emperor  in  his 
anger 


ordered  his 
knights  to 
enter  the  city 
and  massacre 
the  people. 


Five  thousand 
were  mur- 
dered, in- 
cluding many 
innocent. 


St.  Ambrose 
heard  of  this 
cruel  deed, 


and  afterwards 
when  he  met 
2032     Theodosius  on 
the  porch  of 


2001.  recordeth  R.       2012.  Milayn  H.       2013.  iuges]  lewes  B. 
2016.   in  the]  into  B,  R,  in  to  the  J.       2017.  Wherof]  Therof 

B,  J  —  nothyng]  nouther  B,  H,  nothir  R  3,  nouthyr  H  5. 
2021.   Entre]  Entred  B,  R,  J.         2028.  vnto]  into  B. 


88o  The  Humility  of  Theodosius  [bk.  viii 

the  c«thedrai     Woldc  liauc  cntiid  at  a  solempnite 

church  at  r,,.  i        i       i      i  i     •       i   •  •    i 

Milan,  he  for-     1  he  catlioural  clierch  in  Ins  most  rialtc; 

bade  him  to         i^-      i  •        •  i  •        • 

enter,  liissliop  Aiiibrosc  at  tlic  porchc  hym  mette,  2036 

And  of  purpos  nianli  hym  withsette. 

•aying.  "I        Quod  tlic  hlssliop,  "I  counscll  the  wlthdravve, 

advise  you  to      f'  i   •        i  i       i  i      i      i 

go  away:  vou  Into  this  chcrch  thou  shalt  haue  non  entre. 

homicide  and  Thou  hast  offcndid  God  and  eck  his  lawe.  2040 

ihfs  church"i"  Be  Hat  SO  hard!  nor  bold,  I  charge  the, 

Swcr°'  V'oJ  To  settc  thi  foot  nor  entre  in  no  degre; 

can  remain  Because  thou  art  a  cruel  honiycide, 

outtide  -'  .  ' 

for  a  while.       Maugrc  thi  myht  thou  shalt  a  while  abide.  2044 

"Go  home  to     Vnto  thi  paleis  horn  ageyn  retourne, 

your  palace  and  ^,  ...      "^  ,  i        i  i  i 

don't  let  your-    1  lus  cihte  monethes  iooke  thou  be  nat  seyn; 
for  eight  '^        Passe  Hat  thi  boundis,  doo  meekli  ther  soio^rne: 
haTdisdainfor  For,  ttust  Hie  wcel  and  be  riht  weel  c^rteyne,        2048 
derert!'"  """'"    Al  suich  moordrers  God  hath  hem  in  disdeyne. 
Blood  falsli  shad,  haue  this  in  remembrance, 
Callith  day  and  niht  to  hym  to  do  vengaunce. 

"During  these   Ageyn[e]s  the,  for  this  gret  offence       [p.  389]       2052 
do  not  presume  Of  innocent  blood  shad  ageyn[e]s  riht, 

to  enter  the         d      •  •        t       •  i   • 

church.  t)e  lUst  auctonte  1  yiue  this  sentence: 

This  eihte  monethes  acountid  day  &  niht 

To  entre  the  cherch  thou  shalt  nat  come  in  siht,  2056 

Resoun  shal  holde  so  iustli  the  ballauwce 

Til  thou  haue  fulli  acomplisshid  thi  penauwce. 

and  take  good  What  I  haue  seid[e]  tak  [tlheerof  good  heede, 

heed  of  what  ,     "■    •"  "•   •"  ° 

I  have  said;      1^  Or  this  tyme  thou  gest  no  mor  or  me.  2060 

no  mo"e  orme  Withdrawe  thyw  hand  inwocent  blood  to  sheede 

this  time,  and      r?  U       ^'  1^      " 

don't  kill  any    T  or  any  rancour  or  hasti  cruelte. 

"^pie!"°°""'    That  to  behold  the  gret  humylite 

Of  themperoz^r,  considred  euerideel,  2064 

It  wolde  haue  perced  an  herte  maad  of  steel. 

It  would  have    With  hcd  cnclyncd  he  spak  no  woord*  ageyn, 

pierced  a  heart    _^  •    i  i  i  111 

of  steel  to  see    Brast  on  weepyng  with  sobbyng  Ynstauwchabld", 
humtutyrfor'    His  purpil  weede  bedewed  as  with  reyw,  2068 

te"a7s'and"so°bs   Retumyng  hom  with  cheer  most  lamentabl/f, 
fafs'^pe^naicr^  ^°  So  contynucd  in  his  purpos  stable, 

With  al  the  toknys  of  feithful  repentaunce 

In  lowli  wise  acomplisshed  his  penaunce.  2072 

2039.  shal  H. 

2059.  I  haue]  have  I  R.    2066.  no  woord  he  spak  B. 

2068.  as]  all  R.    2071.  the  toknys]  om.   H. 


BK.  VIIl] 


Virtuous  Princes  obey  the  Church 


88i 


Gaf  exauwple  to  princis  euerichon 

In  caas  semblable,  that  werke  of  wilfulnesse 

To  execucioun  for  to  proceede  anon, 

Meynteene  ther  errowr  &  froward  cursidnesse,      2076 

DifFende  ther  trespas,  meywteene  ther  woodnesse, 

Ferr  out  of  ioynt,  yif  it  shal  be  declarid, 

To  Theodosie  for  to  be  comparid. 

To  the  cherche  he  meekli  did  obeye,  2080 

[Lik]  Goddis  kniht  did  lowH  his  penauwce, 
Wher  ther  be  sumwe  that  wrongH  it  werreye, 
Holde  therageyw  be  froward  meyntenaunce. 
Touchyng  this  mateer  set  heer  xn  remembrance,   2084 
As  men  disserue,  —  lat  exxery  wiht  tak  heede  — 
He  that  seeth  al  quiteth  hem  ther  meede. 

Theodosivs  Ust  nothyng  abregge 

To  shorte  the  yerde  of  his  correccioun;  2088 

Forsook  the  platte,  of  rigOMr  took  the  egge, 

MeekH  to  sufFre  his  castigaciouw; 

To  bowe  his  chyne  was  no  rebelHouw, 

Bi  meek  confessiouw  knowywg  his  trespace,  2092 

Be  Seynt  Ambrose  restored  ageyn  to  grace. 

Vertuous  princis  may  exaumple  take 

Of  Theodose,  how  thei  the  Lord  shal  queeme, 

He  nat  froward  amendis  for  to  make,  2096 

His  sceptre,  his  suerd,  his  purpre,  his  diadeeme 

Soget  to  Ambrose,  what  hym  list  to  deeme, 

Obeied  al  thyng;   &  for  his  gret  offence 

To  hooli  cherch  to  make  recompence.  2100 

He  knew[e]  that  God  was  his  sonereyn  Lord, 

To  hooli  cherch  how  gretli  he  was  bouwde, 

Gruchched  neuer  in  thouht,  will  nor  woord, 

Hooli  on  Crist  his  empire  for  to  fouwde.  2104 

Wher  vertu  regneth,  verfu  wil  ay  rebouwde; 

And  for  this  prince  obeied  tal  vertu. 

Hath  now  his  guerdouw  aboue  -with  Crist  \es\x. 

2078.  Ferr]  for^  H,  For  R  3  —  it]  all  H. 

2081.  Lik]  oni.  R,  J. 

2082.  it]  07n.  H. 

2087.  nothyng]  no  while  H. 

2093.  Be]  om.  H  —  restored]  restorde  hym  H. 

2099.  his]  this  H. 

2105.  ay  wil  R. 

2106.  tal]  to  al  H,  callid  R. 

2107.  his]  om.  H. 


with  a  most 
lamentable 
face.     An 
example  to 
princes,  who 
out  of  perverse 
cursedness  de- 
fend their 
trespasses. 


He  obeyed  the 
church  and 
meekly  did  his 
penance,  in 
contrast  to 
those  who 
wrongly  resist, 


and,  accepting 
his  punishment 
to  the  full,  was 
finally  restored 
to  grace. 


Virtuous 
princes  may 
take  example 
of  Theo- 
dosius,  how 
they  shall 
conciliate 
the  Lord. 
He  subjected 
himself  to 
Ambrose 


and  holy 
church  with- 
out complaint, 
and  now  has 
his  reward 
with  Christ 
above. 


882  Alaric  and  Radagaisus  [bk.  viii 

[How  knightys  and  gentylmen  chese  Aleryk  kyng  / 
and  comouns  chese  Radagasus  whiche  ended  in 
myschef.]  ^ 


All  peoples  arc  TX  is  rcniembrid  of  antlquite,  2108 

Noah".nd  hT.""  JL  In  the  Bible,  aftir  Noes  flood, 

three  tons,  sstt  i*i'  i    ^       r  \  '  '        I 

the  Bible  says.  How  bi  dissent[ej  ot  his  sonis  tlire, 
came  so',"     Of  thcF  lynagc  plcyiili  and  thcr  blood 
nations:  y^j  kynrccdis  dilatid  been  abrod;  2112 

And  [in]  myn  aucto?<r,  as  it  is  maad[e]  mynde, 
Of  laphet  cam  seuene  naciouns,  as  I  fynde. 

GauUGaiatia,   The  pccplc  first  of  Gaule  &  Galathe, 

Italians,  Tyre.     Of  MagOth  GothcS  &  follcis  of  Itailc,  2Il6 

Scythia  and         <-p-  o*    i   •  •    i 

Thrace.  lire,  bithia,  with  many  gret  contre 

Stondy?/g  in  Asia,  as  be  rehersaile; 
But  in  Europe  stznt  Trace,  it  is  no  faile. 
Gothes,  Sithiens  of  purpos  did  ordeyne  2120 

Among  hemsilff^[e]  gou(?rnowr[e]s  tweyne: 

In  Thrace  the    KniHtis,  gcntilmen  chose*  Alericus 

Goths  and  t^      i  i  •  11  1 

Scythians  had     1  o  bc  thcf  pfincc  and  haue  the  souereynte, 

Alaric  chosen'  Whcr  the  coiTiouws  chosc  Radagasus.  2124 

and^Radagabils.The  Gothes  first,  foF  gtettcst  surete, 

^^Zmonl.  '*'"    With  kyng  Alerik  been  entred  \)e  cite, 

Into  Roome  to  fynde  ther  socowr, 

That  tyme  Honorius  beyng  emp^rowr.  2128 

The  emperor     Be  gtaunt  of  whom,  al  the  hool  contre 

granted  Ajaric   Youe  to  Alerik,  of  Gaulc,  Spaigne  &  France, 

and  France,      Thet  for  tabide  &  holde  ther  his  see, 

wasfrat'^down  Gothes,  Spay[g]nolfFs  vndir  his  obeissauwce,  2132 

aftei^'ards'T      Takyng  on  hym  al  the  gou^rnaunce, 
Til  Stillicon  out  of  the  Occident 
To  meete  with  them  was  doun  fro  Roome  sent, 

and  Alaric  put  That  tyme  Honorie  beyng  emperowr.     [p.  390]     2136 
ig  t.     g^jjjj^Qj^  g^^  Allerik  enchace 

With  many  a  proud[e]  sturdi  soudeot^r, 
For  to  fihte  thei  chose  haue  ther  place; 

2122.  chosen  B  —  Alaricus  R,  P,  R  3,  Alaricas  H. 

2124.  Radagusus  H.         2127.   ther]  their  H. 

2130.  Spayn  Gaule  &  Fraunce  H. 

2135.  them]  hym  R. 

2139.  place]  space  R. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  160  recto. 


BK.  VIIl] 


The  Death  of  Radagaisus 


883 


2144 


2148 


2152 


2156 


But  Allerik  stood  so  in  the  grace  2140 

Of  Fortune,  that  be  verray  myht 
StilHcon  he  putte  vnto  the  fliht. 

Radagasus  and  Alerik  of  assent 
Haue  concludid  and  ful  accordid  be 
Thoruh  Itaille  for  to  make  her  went 
Toward  Roome,  and  entre  that  cite, 
Maugre  Romeyws  to  haue  the  souereywte. 
Tofor  ther  entriwg  gan  the  toun  manace. 
The  name  of  Rome  to  chaungen  &  difFace. 

For  euermor  the  toun  to  doon  a  shame 
Ther  purpos  was,  as  ye  haue  herd  deuise; 
First  of  alle  to  chau?zgen  the  touws  name, 
Dempt  themsilfF  hable  to  that  emprise. 
But  Fortune  thouhte  al  othirwise, 
Lik  hir  maneeres  to  do  most  damage, 
Whan  she  to  men  sheweth  fresshest  hir  visage. 

Hir  condiciouws  be  nat  alwey  oon; 

Stouwdemeel  of  custum  she  can  varie; 

For  she  was  first  froward  to  Stillicon, 

And  to  Radagasus  eft  ageyn  contrarie:  2160 

In  o  poynt,  she  list[e]  neuer  tarie. 

To  Radagasus  hir  fauowr  did  faille. 

Be  Stillicon  he  venquisshid  in  bataille. 

Al  his  pride  myht  nat  make  hym  speede; 
Fortune  list[e]  so  for  hym  ordeyne. 
That  he  was  fayn,  at  so  streiht  a  neede, 
To  flee  for  socoi^r  to  an  hih  mounteyne, 
Of  al  vitaille  nakid  &  bareyne, 
Wher  for  hunger  he  felte  so  gret  greef, 
Nih  al  his  peeple  deide  at*  myscheefF. 

Of  al  socot^r  destitut  and  bareyn, 

Sauh  no  remedie,  took  hym  to  J^e  fliht; 

Be  the  Romeyns  he  was  so  ouerleyw. 

Take  at  myscheef,  &  maugre  al  his  myht 

In  cheynis  bounde  &  dampned  anon  riht 

For  to  be  ded;   his  peeple,  as  it  is  told,  2176 

Many  on  slayn,  sumwe  take  &  summe  wer  sold. 


Radagaisus 
and  Alaric 
then  decided 
to  conquer 
Rome,  and 
threatened 
to  change 
its  name,  to 
the  disgrace 
of  the 
Romans. 


They  thought 
themselves 
able  to  do  this; 
but  Fortune 
thought 
otherwise. 


Although  she 
had  been  fro- 
ward to  Stili- 
cho,  she  now, 
favoured  him. 
Radagaisus 
was  defeated, 


2164     and  fled  to  a 
mountain, 
where  his 
soldiers  died 
of  hunger; 


2168 


and  finally  he 
was  captured 
2172     and  sentenced 
to  death. 


2146.  that3  l)e  H. 

2149.   chaungen]  daunger  R. 

2161-63  are  transposed  in  H,  but  correction  indicated. 

2170.  at]  for  B. 


884  'J'kf  Fate  of  Rufinusy  the  Intruder  [bk.  viii  | 

Il!«J'".'r^'^;V      ^^^^^  ^^'^s  no[n]  proudere  nor  mor  surquedous 
than  king         In  thilke  dayes,  pleynli  to  descryue, 

R«dag«isu«.  ^.  1   •  •  ir    1   I  1%       , 

Hit  Dowcr  did    Inan  was  this  said[ej  ky;;p;  Radagasus,  2180 

■at  ong.    wiij^i^  |.qqJ,  j^,^  Y^y^^  ^^.jj.j^  Romeyns  for  to  stryue. 

His  powccr  short,  was  oucrtourned  blyue;  ( 

For  Fortune  of  nialys  hadde  a  lust  - 

To  slen  this  tiraunt  with  hunger  &  with  thrust.  2184  i 

"orio"  WaLsc  Among[es]  othir  proud[e]  princis  alle  I 

people  called      Reioysshcd  hymsilf  bamaner  fof]  veynclorie,  i 

him  king  of  the  r>  i  •  ,      ,   ,  .. 

Goths.   His      because  that  men  in  contres  ded  hvm  calle 

memory  wa»        V  C  r"*    ^\  \  •        ^  ""     •  i 

aoon  forgotten,  i^yng  ot  (jothcs;   short  is  the  memorie  2188 

Of  hyw  rehersid  or  writyn  in  historic,  —  J 

To  yiue  exaumple,  in  deede  men  may  fynde  1 

The  name  of  tiraunt^j  is  soone  put  out  of  mynde.  i 

[How  Ruffyne  chamberlejm  wft/i  Theodosie  vsurped  j 

to    be    Emperoifl-    and    therfore    by    honoryus  ■ 

dampned  &  his  heed  smet  of.]  ^  i 

"X'uTJ'rp?-    UIH  clymbyng  vp  hal)  ofte  an  vnwar  fall        2192  j 

tion  to  imperial  A  A   And  spccialH  whan  it  is  sodeyne, 

estate  has  often  r>        i         i      i  ...,•''  ' 

a  sudden  fall.    T  ro  lowh  degrc  testat  imp^nall,  ' 

Whan  fals  ambicioun  the  ladder  doth  ordeyne,  ^ 

Be  vsurpacioun  presumptuousli  tatteyne  2196 

Aboue  the  skies  with  his  hed  to  perse; 
Fro  whens  he  caw  wer  shame  to  reherse. 

^s^cSiiytrue   ^  "^^ene  as  thus;   al  suich  hasti  clywbyng  [ 

of  those  men     Of  them  that  list  nat  hemsilf  for  to  knowe  2200  i 

whose  begm-         A      J   U  r  l  i       r  ■'■'v.'w  j 

nings  are  often  And  haue  torgetc  the  ground  or  l^ifr  gynnyng,  j 

rehearse— men   Be  froward  fame  with  worldli  wyndis  blowe,  \ 

wish  to  know    To  reise  ther  name*  boue  Sagittaries  bowe,  —  ' 

themselves,  like  Rgcord  on  RufFyn*,  which  proudli  gan  desire  2204                I 

Be  fals  intrusioun  to  occupie  thempire.  . 

ofTh^eSdo^uf  '^^^  which  RufFyn  was  whilom  chaumbirleyn  ; 

who  tried  to  '   With  Theodosie,  and  holde  a  manli  kniht;  ' 

become  emperor  -rr-      •  -x  \  c       ■,  \ 

by  intrusion.      I  it  m  o  thyng  he  was  roul  ouerseyn,  2208  ; 

2180.  kyMg]  OOT.  R.         2181.   took]  ow.  R  —  on]  vpon  H. 

2189.  historic]  memorye  H.         2194.   testat]  to  thestate  H. 

2197.  skies]  sterris  R  —  with  his  hed]  his  hede  with  H,  R  3.  ' 

2199.  as]  om.  H.       2202.    worldli]  clowdy  H.  : 

2203.  names  B,  J  —  aboue  H.  j 

2204.  RufFyn]  Ruffia  B,  R,  J  —  on]  off  R.  j 
2206.  whilome  was  H.     2207.   and]  was  R.  ' 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  160  verso. 


BK.  VIIl] 


Stilicho  and  his  Son  Eticherius 


88s 


Be  couetise  bleendid  in  his  siht 

To  spende  his  labour,  &  hadde  no  ground  of  riht. 

Be  themp^rowr  Honorius  he  was  sent 

For  to  gouerne  al  the  orient.  2212 

Bi  processe  Ruffyn  was  maad  vikeer, 

Callid  aftir  vikeer  Imperial, 

Took  upon  hym  hooli  and  enteer 

Be  auctorite,  [as]  cheef  and  princepal,  2216 

Hymsilf  allone  to  gou^rnen  al, 

As  most  hable;  thus  he  dede  deeme, 

Beforn  all  othir  to  were  a  diadeeme; 

Of  hymsilfFso  moche  he  ded[e]  make,     [p,  391]    2220 

In  port  and  cheere  [the]  most  ambicious. 

At  Constantynople  vnwarli  he  was  take. 

First  bouwde  in  cheynys  and  aftir  s^ruid  thus: 

Be  trewe  iugement  of  Honorivs,  2224 

His  hed  smet  of  and  his*  riht  hand  in  deede; 

This  was  his  eende;  of  hyw  no  mor  I  reede. 


He  was  sent 
by  Honorius 
to  the  East 
and  called 
Vicar  Imperial. 
Afterwards 
he  seized 
the  whole 
empire 


and  made 
much  of  him- 
self; but  he 
was  taken  in 
Constantinople 
and  bound  in 
chains,  and  his 
head  and  right 
hand  were  cut 
off. 


[How  Stillicon  and  othir  of  lik  condicion  ended  in 
myscheflf.]  ^ 


A 


FFTIR  whos  deth  to  Bochaj-  ther  cam  oon. 


Swich  another  lik  of  condiciouw, 
Afforn  remewbrid,  callid  Stellicon, 
Whos  sone  Euterius,  as  maad  is  mewciouw. 
Purposed  hym  to  haue  pocessiouw 
Of  thempire  hool;   pleywli  thus  he  thouhte, 
And  bi  what  mene  the  weie  his  fadir  souhte. 

Compendiousli  to  tellyn  of  thes  tueyne. 
Fro  dyuers  contres  toward  Septewptriouw 
To  gadre  peeple,  thei  dide  her  besi  peyne, 
Of  many  dyuers  strauwge  nacioun. 
Ageyw  Honorivs  thei  caw  togidre  down, 
[And]  as  thei  mette,  Fortune  made  hem  faille, 
Bothe  attonys  slay[e]n  in  bataille. 


2228 


2232 


2236 


Stilicho  next 
appeared  to 
Bochas.     His 
son  Eucherius 
proposed  that 
they  should 
take  possession 
of  the  Empire; 


so  they 
collected  an 
army  of 
various 
peoples 
and  were 
defeated  and 
slain  by 
Honorius. 


2240 


2209.  Be]  to  H. 

2223.  aftir]  aftirward  R. 

2225.  hed]  he  R  —  his]  in  his  B. 

2230.  Eucherius  P. 

2239.  And  as]  All  R,  and  H,  R  3  —  made]  dyd  R. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  160  verso. 


886  Constans  and  Constantine  [bk.  viii 

Thfir  evil  be-    ThcT  eviv/viic  cursicl  IkkIcIc  a  vvengable  fvn; 

Kiniung  had  an     .   -   .      '^•,         "  i       i      ,  ,  ■-        ,   •  ■' 

evil  eiiJ.  Attir  whos  clcth  1  rcecic  ot  othir  tweyne: 

Constans  and       gri  t\c  /■<  \  ■      c     \-      t  •> 

his  father  Con-  H  Ut  ooii  Loiistaiis,  liis  taiiiT  Lo;Kstantyn, 
'"k'upon'thcm-Which  Coiistaiityn  took  on  hym  in  certeyne         2244 
Sver'in  ihe'"  To  Tcgnc  in  Gaulc,  and  aftir  that  ordeyne, 
Empire.  \y^  that  centre  to  be  goucrnoz/r, 

rher  to  coHtynve  as  lord  and  emperoz/r. 
Constans  His  sone  Constans  kaute  a  deuocioun  2248 

turned  monk,  -  .  i    ,•        i        •    i  -i 

but  his  father    (Jt  conscicncc,  and  forthwith  anon  riht 

had  him  taken    \\t  <  i        c  i      i   ■  r        • 

out  and  made    VV as  sliaue  a  monk,  &  made  his  proressioun. 
nig  t.  Y\\^  fadir  aftir  of  verray  force  &  myht 

Leet  take  hyw  out,  gaf  hym  the  ordre  of  kniht;    2252 
Both  of  assent  gan  make  hemsiluen  strong 
Toppresse  the  contre  &  do  the  peeple  wrong. 

Both  of  them     This  said[e]  Constans,  as  myn  auct07/r  seith, 

then  oppressed  }:    '  ri         r    i  i 

the  people,  and.  VVas  conrcdcrat,  or  hatrul  cruelte,  2256 

with  one         With  oon  Herencivs,  assuraunce  maad  &  feith, 
eronuus,        ^^  btethte  suorn  for  mor  auctorite. 

And  for  to  make  the  noumbre  up  of  thre, 
Constantyn  was  sworrn  with  hem  also  2260 

To  been  al  oon  in  what  thei  hadde  ado. 

conquered         Thcs  said[e]  thre  sworn  and  lioyned  thus, 

many  cities  in     ^-^  .    .        _        .  -^         . 

Spain.   Geron-  L-onqucrcd  lu  bpaigne  many  gret  cite; 

tius  traitorously  -r-,  •  i   •  i   -i         i   .  •  i    tt 

slew  Constans.   Dut  in  tliis  while  this  scid  Hercncivs,  2264 

Traitot<r  and  fals,  ful  of  duplicite. 
His  fellawe  slouh  ageyw  his  oth,  parde. 
Thus  was  Constans  thoruh  fals  collusiouw 
Of  Herencivs  moordred  be  tresouw.  2268 

and  shortly       Herencivs  aftir  lyued  but  a  while; 

aftenvards  he       _      ,   .  i       -i      •      i  i        r    i  i 

himself  was       DC  fiis  owne  kmlitis  he  siaylejn  was  also. 

killed  by  his        -p.  i       r        r  i  i  •      •  •  •    7        -i 

own  soldiers.     1*  taude  tor  rraude;   deceit  is  quit  wit^  gile; 
rece?vrthe^^°  It  folweth  euet  &  gladli  cometh  therto:  2272 

just  reward.      Men  tesceyue  ther  guerdouns  as  thei  doo. 
Lat  men  alwey  haue  this  in  remembrauwce, 
Moordre  of  custum  wil  eende  with  myschaunce. 

Among  Mhers    ^  Amowg  suich  Othir,  thus  eendiwg  in  myscheef,  2276 
mischief  were     Cam  Attalus  and  oon  Eraclyan; 

Attalus  and  t>  i  .  rr- 

Heraciian,         Jf  or  HO  prowesse,  but  to  thet  gret  repreeir 

2241.  Ther]  The  R.         2250.   &]  om.  H,  R  3. 

2257.  Herencius]  Heroncyus  H,  R  3,  henricius  J,  Gerontius  P. 

2261.  ado]  to  do  R.   2262.  loyned  R,  H.  2264,  68.  Gerontius  P. 

2275.  wil  eende]  eendith  H.         2277.   and]  an  R. 


BK.  VIIl] 


Attains  and  Heraclian 


887 


Remewbrld  heer;  ther  stori  telle  caw, 

Ageyn  Romeyns  whan  thai  rebell[e]  gan,  2280 

Be  Honorivs  afforn  maad  officeeres 

And  of  thempire  callid  cheef  vikeres. 

First  Attalus  for  his  tiranwye, 

Whan  he  in  Gaule  was  maad  [a]  gou^rnowr,  2284 

Went  into  Spaigne  with  a  gret  cowpanye, 

Did  his  peyne  and  fraudulent  labour 

Be  fals  sleihte  to  be  maad  emperoMr. 

Take  and  bouwde,  exilid  for  falsnesse,  2288 

His  hand  smet  of,  eendid  in  wrechidnesse. 


who  rebelled 

against 

Honorius. 


Attalus  tried 
to  be  made 
emperor  in 
Spain  and  was 
exiled  and  his 
hand  cut  ofiF. 


2292 


2296 


OFF  Eraclyan  the  ende  was  almost  lik, 
Yit  was  he  promoot  to  gret  prospmte, 
Maad  gouernowr  &  lord  of  [al]  AfFrik, 
Of  consuleer  roos  to  the  dignite, 
Rood  thoruh  Libie  and  many  gr^t  contre. 
With  thre  thousand  shippes  gan  to  saille 
And  with  seuene  hundrid  taryue  [vp]  m  Itaille. 

Swich  noumbre  of  shippis  neu^r  afForn  was*  seyn, 

Lik  as  it  is  acountid  be  writyng; 

His  naue  passed  the  naue  in  certeyne 

Of  myhti  Xerses,  that  was  of  Perse  ky«g,  2300 

Or  Alisaundre;   but  yit  in  his  comyng. 

Toward  Itaille  whan  he  sholde  aryve, 

The  se  and  Fortune  ga«  ageyn  hym  stryve. 

At  his  arryuaile  he  hadde  a  sodeyn  dreed,  [p.  392]  2304 
Cause  Honorius  had  sent  doun  a  capteyn, 
Constancivs  callid,  gou^rnottr  and  hed 
Of  al  the  Romeyns,  to  meete  hym  on  the  pleyn; 


For  which  Eraclyan  towrnid  is  ageyn, 
As  I  fynde,  gan  take  his  passage 
Toward  the  cite  that  callid  is  Cartage. 

Thus  Fortune  list  hir  poweer  shewe: 
Or  he  cam  fulli  to  that  noble  toun. 
With  sharp[e]  suerdis  he  was  al  to-hewe 
Among  his  knihtis  thoruh  fals  occasioun* 
As  thei  fill  at  a  discencioun. 

2292.  al]  om.  R. 

2297.  was3  wer  B,  were  J. 

2312.  noble^  om.  R.       2314.   occasioun]]  collusiouw  B 

2315.  at]  as  R  —  a]  om.  H. 


2308 


2312 


Heraclian, 
governor  of 
Africa,  became 
a  consul  and 
attempted  to 
invade  Italy 
with  3700 


His  navy 
was  larger 
than  that  of 
mighty  Xerxes 
or  Alexander. 


When  he 
arrived,  he 
lost  courage 
because  Hono- 
rius had 
sent  down 
Constantius 
to  give  him 
battle,  and 
sailed  for 
Carthage, 


where  he  was 
cut  to  pieces 
by  his  knights. 


888  Odoacer,  who  brought  Rome  to  nought        [bk.  vhi 

Of  intrusioiuj  bega?/  first  this  quarell,  2316 

Agey;/  Ronicyns  whan  that  lie  gan  rebell. 


^  Bochas  rehersith  here  be  vhom  Rome  cam  to 
nou3te.' 

Almost  every     /^FF  many  myschcuys  heer  afforn  r^rhersld, 
Mo^y^Bochrs      V^    Sum;;;e  drawe  alonp;  &:  suni??ze  shortll  told, 
E^hth  ^lov     And  hou  Fortune  hath  hir  wheel  r^u<frsid,  2320 

wreuhedness.     ^c  ttagcdics  rcmembrid  manyfold 

Toforn  be  Bochax,  of  princis  yong  &  old, 
In  the  eihte*  book  rehersid  the  processe, 
Ecbon  almost  eendid  in  wrechidnesse.  2324 

especially  those  Namli  all  tho  that  dide  most  desire 

who  tried  to         -^  ■    i        i  "irr  r 

become  em-       Be  wtong  title  themsilit  to  magnene, 
j'u"t°dtie.''°Yet  To  haue  lordshipe  &  gouerne  the  empire, 
emperor'haf     Thcstat  imperial  proudli  to  occupie.  2328 

gone  to  ruin.     Which  estat,  pleynli  to  specefie, 

As  ferr  as  Pheebus  doth  in  his  speere  shyne 
Among  al  lordshipe  is  drawe  onto  ruyne. 

and  Rome  came  Fro  myn  auctowr  me  list[e]  nat  discorde  2332 

john°'Bochal^    To  telle  the  ground  whi  Roome  is  com*  to  nouht; 
rehearses.         g^  ^^  exauwplc  I  cast  me  to  tecordc 

What  was  cheef  cause,  yifF  it  be  weel  souht,* 

Be  a  stori  that  caw  onto  the  thouht  2336 

Of  lohn  Bochas,  which,  as  ye  shal  lere, 

Ful  notabli  is  rehersed  heer. 

It  happened  in  Which  cxauwple  and  stori  rehersyng, 

the  time  of  r^      •  i-    r   i 

Odoacer,  a        Leriousli  toiwyng  myM  auctowr,  2340 

greft^ovemor.  Odoaccr,  whilom  a  famous  kyng, — 
yet  a^ra venous  ^  ^^^^  ^^  name  &  a  gret  gou^rnowr. 

But  of  his  lyuywg  a  rau^mous  robboMr, 

Out  of  whos  court  wer  merci  &  pite  2344 

Banshed  for  euere  with  trouthe  &  equite. 


2316.  this]  the  R. 

2319.  along3  long  R. 

2323.  eihte]  seuent  R,  vij«  H  5,  viijte  B. 

2331.  lordshippis  R.         2333-   is  com]  cam  B,  J. 

2335.  out  souht  B,  J.         2336.   the]  his  H. 

2337.  Of]  hi  H.         2339.   and]  in  H. 

2340.  folwen  H. 

1  The  following  chapter-heading  is  in  MS.  J.  leaf  161  recto:  "A 
good  processe  why  Rome  was  destroied  /  and  for  the  same  or 
like  cause  many  other  Rewmes." 


BK. 


viii3 


On  the  Conduct  of  Kings 


889 


In  that  regiouw  wher  raercx  is  nat  vsid, 

And  trouthe  oppressid  is  with  tiranwye. 

And  rihtwisnesse  be  poweer  is  refusid,  2348 

Fals  extorsiouw  supporteth  robberie, 

And  sensuaUte  caw  haue  the  maistrie 

AbofF  resouw,  be  toknes  at  a  preefF, 

Which  many  a  lond  haue  brouht  onto  myscheefF.23S2 

Ther  is  no  rewm  may  stond  in  surete, 

Ferme  nor  stable  in  verray  existence, 

Nor  contune  in  long  prosp(fnte, 

But  yif  the  throne  of  kywgli  excellence  2356 

Be  supportid  with  iustise  and  clemence 

In  hym  that  shal  as  egal  iuge  stonde 

Tween  riche  &  poore,  with  sceptre  &  suerd*  in  honde. 

A  cleer  exaumple,  this  mateer  for  to  grouwde,  —  2360 

So  as  a  fadir  that  is  naturall, 

Or  lik  a  moodir  which  kynd[e]li  is  bouwde 

To  fostre  ther  childr^  in  epsecial, 

Riht  so  a  kyng  in  his  estat  roiall  2364 

Sholde  of  his  offis  dilligentli  entende 

His  trewe  leeges  to  cherisshe  [hem]  &  difFende. 

Be  good  exaumple  his  sogettis  tenlumyne; 

For  temporal  rewmys  sholde,  as  in  figure,  2368 

Resemble  the  kyngdam  which  [that]  is  dyuyne^ 

Be  lawe  of  God  &  lawe  eek  of  nature. 

That  res  puhlica  long  tyme  may  endure, 

Void  of  discord  and  fals  duplicite,  2372 

As*  o  bodi  in  long  prospmte, 

Nouther  ther  regne  nor  domynaciouw 

Haue  of  themsilflF  non  other  assuraunce; 

Thestat  of  kynges  gan  be  permyssiouw  2376 

Of  Goddis  grace  &  of  his  purueyaunce. 

Be  vertuous  lyfF  and  moral  goU(?rnaunce, 

Long  to  contune  bothe  in  pes  and  werre 

Lik  her  desertis,  &  punshe  hem  whaw  thei  erre.    2380 

Thei  sholde  be  the  merowr  and  the  liht, 
Transcende  al  othir  be  vertuous  excellence, 
As  exaumplaires  of  equite  and  riht. 


without  mercy 
or  pity. 
Many  a  land 
has  been 
brought  to 
ruin  when 
sensuality  has 
the  mastery 
of  reason. 


No  realm 
can  stand 
secure  unless 
the  throne 
is  supported 
by  clemency 
and  justice. 


Just  as  fathers 
and  mothers 
are  bound 
to  foster  their 
children,  so 
should  kings 
cherish  and 
defend  their 
subjects. 


givmg 

them  a  good 
example;    and 
temporal 
kingdoms 
ought  to 
resemble 
the  kingdom 
that  is  divine. 


There  is  no 
other  assurance 
for  them;   in- 
asmuch as  the 
estate  of  kings 
began  by  the 
permission  of 
God;  and  God 
will  treat 
them  as  they 
deserve. 


[n.   '?Q'^1     Kings  should 
Lr     J7ji     excel  all  other 
men  in  virtue 
and  discretion; 


2346.  nat3  na  H.        2348.   be]  with  H. 

2359.  suerd  &  sceptri?  B,  J.       2363.   special  H. 

2366.  hem]  om.  J,  P,  H  5.         2369.    that]  om.  R. 

2373.  As]  Of  B,  J.      2374.  nor]  no  H. 


890  On  the  Conduct  of  Kings  [bk.  viii  , 

So  be  discrecloun  of  natural  prouidence  2384  | 

To  tempre  thcr  ripo;/r  with  nicrci  &  clemence; 
What  shal  fallc  afforn[e]  caste  al  thy?!ges, 
As  appartencth  to  princis  &  to  kynges. 

they  must  re-    Thynces  passed  to  haue  in  remembrance,  2388  ■ 

member  the         ^  ^  •    ,•      i  •  ' 

past  and  rre-    Lonscrue  wisli  thyngcs  in  presence,  ; 

r"come  In'a^'  Fot  thywgcs  to  come  afforn  male  ordenaunce,  I 

resist  vices.       polwc  the  ttacis  of  vertuous  contynence, 

Ageyn  all  vices  to  make  resistence  2392 

Be  the  vertu  of  magnanymyte, 

Which  is  approprid  to  imperial  mageste,  I 

They  should  be  Btothit  to  fotce,  auctot/ts  seyn  echon,  ' 

and  adversity,   Which  conserueth  the  roial  dignite  2396 

In  suich  a  mene  stable  as  eny  ston,  — 

Nat  ouer  glad  for  no  prosperite,  j 

Nor  ouer  sad  for  non  aduersite; 

For  lyfF  nor  deth  his*  corage  nat*  remewe  2400 

To  God  and  man  to  yeld  he?n  that  is  dewe. 

arm  themselves  Geyw  flesshli  lustis  atmc  hym  in  sobirnesse,  :; 

lusts  and  ex-     Voide  al  surfetis  of  froward  glotonye,  ^ 

derous^pe^ri",   Gtedi  appetit^j  be  mesure  to  represse,  2404                * 

fii,"ids7rom'^     Out  of  his  hous  auoidc  al  ribaudie,  j 

theu-  palaces.     Rowners,  flatcrers  and  such  folk  as  ka«  lie,  ' 

War  in  his  doomys  he  be  nat  parciall,  1 

To  poore  doon  almesse,  to  vertuowj  liberall.  2408 

In  their  dress    In  his  array  shewe  hym  lik  a  kyng 

they  should        „  u  •       •     L  j-rr  * 

shew  them-       T  TOW  Other  pHncis  Damaner  ditterence,* 

selves  kings;         c      ^L    ...  '        \-'  ^  ^  * 

but  virtuous      bo  that  men  preise  his  virtuous  lyuyng  ■ 

mo"e^p''rrit^^"   Mor  than  his  clothing,  ferr  frow  his  presence;       2412  j 

than  clothing,    ^j^^j  jg^  p,y^j  thynken  in  his  aduertence,  | 

Truste  theron,  verraily  certeyn,  J 

As  he  governeth  men  wil  reporte  &  seyn.  1 

For  companions  Lat  hym  also  for  his  gret  avail  2416 

let  them  have     ttii  ii* 

notable,  ei-      Hauc  such  aboute  hym  to  be  in  presence,  ' 

prince"  who      Notable  pHncis  to  be  of  counsail,  • 
diffeTence  be-     Swich  as  tofom  haue  had  experience 

tween  good  and  f  ueg^  good  and  euel  to  knowe  the  difference.  2420                ' 

2385.  with  merci]  om.  H.       2392.   to]  an  H,  om.  R  3.  -« 

2394.  to]  to  Jje  H.       2400.   his]  my  B  —  nat]  to  B.  i 

2403.  of]  and  R.       2405.   hous]  thouht  H,  R  3.  j 

2410.  difference]  apparence  B,  J.       241 1.   that]  om.  R.  ] 

2414.  verraily]  verrey  H.  | 


BK.  VIIl] 


On  the  Conduct  of  Kings 


891 


2432 


2436 


And  sixe  thynges,  hatful  of  newe  &  old, 

To  banshe  hem  out  in  hast  from  his  houshold. 

^  First  them  that  loue  to  lyue  in  idilnesse, 
As  such  as  nouther  loue  God  nor  dreede, 
Coueitous  peeple  that  poore  folk  oppresse, 
And  them  also  that  doon  al  thyng  for  meede, 
And  symulacioun,  clad  in  a  double  weede, 
And  suich  as  caw  for  ther  auauwtages 
Out  of  oon  hood[e]  shewe  too  visages. 

Lat  hym  also  uoid  out  at  his  gate 
Riotous  peeple  that  loue  to  wachche  al  niht, 
And  them  also  that  vse  to  drynke  late, 
Ly  longe  abedde  til  ther  dyner  be  diht, 
And  such  as  list  nat  of  God  to  haue  a  siht, 
And  rekles  folk  that  list  nat  heere  masse, 
Tauoide  his  court,  &  let  hem  lihtli  passe. 

For  suich  defautis,  rehersed  heer  toforn, 
Nat  onli  Roome,  but  many  gret  contre 
Hath  be  destroied  &  many  kywdam  lorn, 
In  olde  cronicles  as  ye  may  reed  &  see. 
Fals  ambiciouw,  froward  duplicite 
Hath  many  a  rewm  &  many  a  lond  encloied, 
And  been  in  cause  whi  thei  haue  be  destroied. 

Iherusalem  was  whilom  transmygrat,  2444 

Ther  trewe  prophetis  for  thei  hadde  in  despiht; 

And  Baltazar  was  eek  infortunat. 

For  he  in  Babiloun  folwed  al  his  deliht. 

Darye  in  Perse  had  but  smal  respiht,  2448 

Sodenly  slayn  and  moordred  be  tresouw. 

The  same  of  Alisauwdre  whan  he*  drank  poisoun. 

Discord  in  Troye  groundid  on  couetise, 
Whan  be  fals  tresoun  sold  was  Palladioun; 
Roome  and  Cartage  in  the  same  wise 
Destroied  wern,  for  short  conclusioun, 
Among  hemsilfF  for  ther  dyuisioun. 
Rekne  othir  rewmys  that  been  of  latter  date, 
As  of  dyuisiouns  in  France  that  fill  but  late. 


and  they  must 
not  be  idle, 
2424     covetous,  de- 
ceitful, or 


2428 


riotous,  with 
late  drinking 
and  lying  long 
abed,  or  have 
about  them 
reckless  people 
who  do  not  go 
to  mass. 


2440 


2452 


2456 


2424.   nouther]  nouthis  R.         2427.   a]   om.   R. 

2428,  29.   avauntage,   visage   H.         2430.   uoid]  avoide  H. 

2439.   many  a  H.       2442.   both  a's  om.  H,  2nd  a  om.  R. 

2443.   been  in  cause]  be  the  cause  R. 

2450.   he]  that  he  B,  H,  R.        2452.   sold]  slayn  H. 

2457.  of]  in  H  —  in]  of  H. 


Not  only 
Rome  but 
many  another 
kingdom  has 
been  destroyed 
for  such  faults: 


Jerusalem  be- 
cause the  Jews 
scorned  their 
true   prophets; 
Belshazzar  for 
his  luxury  in 
Babylon; 
Darius  was 
suddenly  slain, 
and  Alexander 
poisoned. 


Troy  was  lost 
by  covetous- 
ness; 

Rome  and 
Carthage  were 
destroyed  by 
civil  strife, 
such  as  fell 
but  late  in 
France. 


892  The  Tyrant  Odoacer  as  an  Example         [bk.  viii 

The  chief  fault  Al  tlics  clcfautis  rchcrsid  Iieer  breeffli, 

has  been  m  , x  ,  ,  „  .      ,    .       ,      , 

the  ruling         Outsoulit  the  lootc  &  wciccl  111  hnlaU7ice, 

princes;  and   I      /  >i         n"  •  11       i   •  1    1   • 

shall  tell  as       L  hcctt  occasiou//,  to  tcllc  Dl  aiiu  01,  2460 

an  example  the   o     ^1     U  *  ••^1^1  11 

story  of  Math  been  in  princis  that  haue  had  gou^rrnauwce. 

Odoacer.  ^j^j  specialli  to  putte  in  remewzbraunce, 

For  an  exauwple  telle  as  kometh  to  my;2de 

Of  Odoacer  the  stori,  as  I  fynde.  2464 

He  was  born  in  Born  in  Prcvs  and  hardi  of  corage,  fp.  '?Q4.1 

Pannonia,  and       »       i   ■      ■  •,/-  r  J -'tJ 

as  he  had  no    At  his  begvny^g  hynisilf  to  magnefie, 

began  a  con-     THouh  no  iiienciouH  be  maad  of  [his]  lynage, 

quest  of  theft      tt  ^'^I  r  i^  i         j  •      * 

and  robbery.     Hauyng  no  title  or  blood  nor  auncetrie,*  2468 

His  co?zquest  gan  of  thefFte  and  robberye,* 
Gadred  peeple  of  sondri  regiouns, 
Entred  Itaille  with  many  naciouns. 

He  invaded       With  his  soudio7<rs  first  he  gan  assaille,  2472 

Hungary  and       .  >  i    •         i  -i 

defeated  With  multitudc  entryng  anon  riht, 

Orestes,  who         T^         j  riT  o  r  t       -n 

fled  to  Pavia     Kyndames  ot  Hungry  &  contres  of  Itaille; 
Mette  in  his  passage  with  a  Romeyn  kniht 
Callid  Horestes,  in  steel  armyd  briht:  2476 

The  feeld  was  take  and  put  in  iupartie; 
Horestes  fledde  for  socowr  to  Pauye. 

and  was  there   Strcihtli  bescged  and  the  town  Iwonne, 

taken  prisoner      t^         j    <-  i  ,   .         ,  . 

and  afterwards  Jb  ond  tor  the  tymc  non  othir  cheuisaunce,  2480 

slain.  rpi  .  -     , 

1  he  nexte  morwe  at  risyng  or  the  sunne, 

Bounde  in  cheynis  tencres  of  his  greuaunce, 

Sent  to  a  cite  that  callid  was  Plesaunce, 

Ageyn[e]s  whom  Odoacer  was  so  fell,  2484 

Leet  hym  be  slayn  be  iugement  ful  cruel. 

Odoacer  then    Aftir  whos  deth,  be  sodevw  violence 

marched  on  „  .  -i      i  it       mi 

Rome  and  was  (Jdoacer  IS  passid  thoruh  Itaille, 

crowned  king  of  i^  j   t»  r        i 

Italy.  iLntred  Koome,  rond  no  resistence;  2488 

For  ther  was  non  to  yiue  hym  bataille. 
Zeno  themp^roMr  durste  hym  nat  assaille, 
So  that  be  force  and  rauynous  werkyng 
Of  al  Itaille  he  was  crownid  kyng.  2492 

2461.   Hath]  Have  H. 

2467.  his]  om.  R. 

2468.  of  blood  nor  auncetrie]  but  theffte  and  robberye  B,  J. 

2469.  gan   of  thefFte   and    robberye]    gannat    of    blood    nor 
auncetrie  B,  gan  nought  of  blood  and  auncetrie  J. 

2474.  Kyngdam  H,  R  3,  Kyngdom  P.       2478.   to]  in  to  H. 

2482.  in]  wit^  H. 

2490.  durste]  did  H. 

2491.  rauynour  R. 


BK. 


VIIl] 


The  End  of  Odoacer 


893 


Hadde  al  Roome  vndir  subiecciouw, 

Fortune  a  while  list  [hym]  nat  [to]  faille, 

Zeno  therof  hadde  indignaciouw, 

Gan  werke  ageyn  hym,  in  hope  it  sholde  [a]uaile.2496 

And  therupon  the  lordship  of  Itaille 

He  gaf  of  purpos,  his  poweer  committyng, 

To  Theodorik,  that  was  of  Gothes  kyng. 

So  that  Theodorik  in  hope  to  haue  victoria,  2500 

Ageyn  Odoacer  ga«  make  resistance; 

And  his  name  to  putte[n]  in  memorie, 

Took  vpon  hym  be  knihtli  excellence 

For  the  Romeyns  to  stonde[n]  in  difFence.  2504 

Mette  hym  proudli  with  his  cheualrie 

Beside  a  ryueer  that  callid  was  Sowcye. 

With  ther  batailles  togidre  whan  thei  mette, 

Beside  Leglere  that  stant  in  Lumbardie,  2508 

With  rouwd[e]  speres  &  sharp  swerdis*  whette, 

Odoacer,  for  al  his  tiranwye, 

Was  put  to  fliht,  discouwfited  his  partie. 

And  Fortune  than,  [which]  caw  best  chauMge  &  varie, 

At  vnset  hour  was  to  hym  contrarie.  2513 

Hym  &  his  poweer  the  Romeyns  haue  defied; 
He  brente  her  vynes  and  toMr[e]s  envirouw, 
Because  the  entre  was  to  hym  denyed. 
And  to  Rauenwe  he  is  descendid  douw. 
But  maugre  hym  he  was  take  \n  that*  touw 
Be  Theodorik;  lat  ech  tiraunt  tak  heed, 
Odoacer  comauwdid  to  be  ded. 

^  Myn  auctowr  Bochas  of  entenciouw, 
For  the  tyme,  as  kam  to  remembraunce, 
Toward  Romeyns  maketh  a  digressiouw, 
To  them  recordyng  the  gret[e]  variaunce, 
The  vnwar  chauwges,  the  gery  contenauwce 
Of  Fortunis  fals  transmutaciouw, 
Thes  same  woordis  rehersyng  to  the  touw. 


2516 


2524 


2504. 
2509. 

2515- 
2518. 
2519. 
2525. 


swerdisj]  speres  B. 
towres]]  touns  R. 
that]  the  B,  J. 
tiraunt]  man  H. 
guery  R,  H. 


2512.   which]  07M.R. 


The  Emperor 
Zeno  resigned 
his  power  to 
Theodoric  the 
Goth, 


who  attacked 
Odoacer  on  the 
Sontius 


in  Lombardy 
and  defeated 
him. 


2520 


Retreating 
through  Italy, 
Odoacer  laid 
waste  the  land, 
but  was  finally 
captured  in 
Ravenna  and 
(let  every 
tyrant  take 
heed) 
beheaded. 


My  author 
now  makes  a 
digression, 
recording  the 
many  vicissi- 
tudes of 
Rome. 


2494.   hym]  om.  J  —  list  hym  nat  to  faille]  was  to  hym  favour- 
able H,  R  3  —  to]  07n.  R,  J. 
2497.   the]  ther  R.         2501.   Ageyn]  Geyn  R. 
in]  at  H.         2508.   legle  H. 


894  ff^h  Rome  was  brought  to  Ruin  [bk.  viii 


^  The  wordes*  of  Bochas  a-geyne  Rome.' 

Rome,  remem-    T^  EMEM BRE o Rooiiie & callc Dgcyn to my /(dc  2528 

of  your  great-    Av  THc  daics  passid  of  thi  felicite, 

once  shone  like  I'i*  marcial  conquest,  J)i  triumphes  left  behynde, 

the"»ori'd°"^''    Thi  grcte  victories  most  of  auctorite, 

"urncd'to  ruin.  ^ '^'  faiiious  laudcs  soiigc  ill  ccli  contrc,  2532 

Which  like  a  sonne*  thoruh  al  1)6  world  did  shyne, 

Now  al  attonis  is  turnid  to  ruyne! 

Your  lordship    From  est  to  west  thi  lordship  did  atteyne, 

extended  from       a  i  i  ii  o  •     il 

east  to  west;     Adouc  eI  poweers  most  excellent  &  roiall;  2536 

leuert'of^our    But  HOW  fro  Roome  doun  into  Almayne 
dai^ened  anT    Thcstat  tfanslatid  which  is  imperial; 
defaced.  Name  of  thi  senato;<rs,  name  m  especial, 

The  golden  lettres  dirkid  &  diffacid,  2540 

And  from  remembrance  almost  out  araced. 

City  of  cities,    Qtc  of  cites,  whilom  most  glorious,  [p.  395] 

to  which  the  f  1  1-   n  •         u  1    • 

Alps  and  all      And  most  trcsshli  nouryng  m  cheualrie, 

the  mountains     t-  i   •    i        i  a  i     •         o  r 

of  Lombardy      lo  which  the  Alpics  &  mounteyns  most  ramowj   2544 

rub7ecT"         Wer  lowli  soget  of  al  Lumbardie, 

Til  that  discord,  dyuisioun  and  envie 

Among  yoursilf  hath  clipsed  the  brihtnesse, 

Bi  a  fals  serpent  brouht  in  bi  doubilnesse.  2548 

and  kings  and    Kynges,  pnncis  wer  to  the  tributarye, 

prmces  tribu-      r\r     i  •  r    i  l        fl        J 

tary,  you  were  (Ji  al  prosp^fHte  SO  tulsum  was  the  ilood, 

brought  to  »  -ir     •!  I 

nought  when     Among  yowrsilT  til  ye  began  to  vane,  j 

yoSf.^^'"""  The  world[e]  thoruhout  soget  to  you  stood,  2552               ] 
Til  ye  gan  shewe  too  facis  in  o  hood: 

What  folwed  aftir.  Fortune  hath  so  prouided,  ' 

Ye  cam  to  nouht  whan  ye  gan  be  deuyded.  | 

Lacking  in        Vnpurueicd  of  prudcnt  scnatOMts,  2556  ^ 

prudent  sen-        ,_,,  !,'.., 

ators,  in  1  hi  marchaundise  tumiQ  to  poucrtc, 

an!fsoidkrs,      Of  knihthod  bareyn,  nakid  of  soudiowrs,  ; 

s!'(^d°Srtef  Disconsolat  stant  al  thi  comounte, 

ToMr[e]s,  wallis  broke  of  thi  cite,  2560 

2530.  Pi]  Pat  B,  t)e  H. 

2533.   a  Sonne]  be  report  B,  R,  H  5  (whiche  thurgh  all   the  ' 

world  by  report  did  shyne  J).  j 

2537.   into]  in  R.         2541.   out  racid  R.  * 

2542.  most  whilom  R.  ' 

2549.  to]  om.  R.        2SS3-  o]  con  H. 

1  wordes]  workis  B.  1 


BK.  VIIl] 


Trasilla,  Busar  and  Philete 


89s 


That  whilom  wer  a  paradis  of  deliht,  — 
Now  al  the  world  hath  the  but  in  despiht. 

Cause,  to  conclude,  of  al  thi  wrechidnesse,- 
Fals  ambicioun,  pride  and  lecherie, 
DyuysiouM,  malicious  doubilnesse, 
RancoMr,  hatreed,  couetise  [&]  envie,* 
Which  set  aside  al  good[e]  policie; 
In  breef  rehersed,  for  short  conclusioun, 
Haue  be  cheeff  ground  of  thi  destruccioun. 


2564 


2568 


and  now  all  the 
world  has  you 
in  contempt. 

Your 

wretchedness 
arose  from 
false  ambition, 
pride,  lechery, 
division, 
deceit,  anger, 
hatred, 
covetousness 
and  envy. 


[How  the  kynges  Trabstila  and  Busarus  were  brouht 
to  subieccioun  and  made  tributaryes  to  Theo- 
deryk.]  ^ 

AFFTIR  thes  myscheuys  told  of  Rome  toun. 
Cam  Trabstila  kyng  of  Gepidois 
With  other  tweyne,  as  maad  is  mencioun:  2572 

Busar  that  was  kyng  of  Bulgarois, 
With  Pheletevs,  regnywg  in  Ragois. 
AUe  thes  thre,  breefBi  for  to  seyne,* 
Cam  attonys  to  Bochas  to  compleyne,  2576 

Ther  rewmys  stondyng  toward  Septewtrioun. 

And  to  remewbre  of  the  firste  tweyne, 

Wer  brouht  attonis  to  subieccioun 

Bi  Theodorik,  that  did  his  besi  peyne  2580 

Them  to  conquere,  &  proudli  did  ordeyne 

That  thei  wer  neuer  hardi  to  rebell 

Ageyn*  Romeyns  nor  take  no  quarell. 

To  Theodorik  thei  wer  maad  tributarye,  2584 

Most  wrechchidli  bounde[n]  in  seruage, 

Neuer  so  hardi  aftir  for  to  varie 

In  peyne  of  deth  duryng  al  ther  age. 

Of  seruitute,  loo,  heer  the  surplusage, —  2588 

Of  all  wrechchis  most  wrechchid  thei  be  founde, 

Thei  that  to  thraldam  constreyned  been  &  bounde. 


After  these 
calamities 
told  of  Rome, 
Trasilla, 
king  of  the 
Gepidae, 
Busar,  king 
of  the  Bulgars, 
and  Philete, 
king  of  the 
Rugii,  all  of 
whom  reigned 
in  the  north, 
came  com- 
plaining to 
Bochas. 


The  first  two 
were  con- 
quered by 
Theodoric 


and  bound 
wretchedly 
in  servage. 


2566.  is  transposed  after  2568  in  B,  but  correction  indicated. 

2569.  be3  the  R.         2571.  Trasilla  P. 

2573.  Busa  P,  Busarus  J. 

2574.  Pheteus  H,  Philitheus  P,  J  —  Rugiois  P. 

2575.  seyne]  feyne  B. 
2583.  Ageyns  B. 

2590.  Thei  that]  That  thei  R  —  that]  to  Jiat  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  162  verso. 


896 


Mercian,  Leo  and  Zeno 


[bK.  VIII 


Virtuoutfree-    Tfesour  of  treso!/rs,  yif  It  be  weel  souht, 

dom  19  the  ^  ^       ,  •    1     1  i-i 

greatest  of        Is  vcrtuous  rrcuam  With  lafgc  lihcrtc;  2593 

transccnJing         W/t/.'  WOlklH   gOOcllS   It   llUiy   IlUt   bc   bouht, 

inearth"  ^""    With  foial  rubics,  gold,  stonis  nor  perre; 

For  it  transcendith  and  hath  the  soucreynte 

Aboue  al  richessis  that  been  in  erthe  founde,         2596 

A  man  at  large  freeli  to  stonde  vnbouride. 


The  third 
king.  Philete, 
lost  his  Ifing- 
dom  and  his 
life  when  at- 
tacked by 
Odoacer. 


The  Emperor 
Marcian  was 
murdered  by 
his  soldiers; 


[How  Philitee  lost  his  kyngdom.]  ^ 

^  Next  thes  too  kynges,  in  ordre  as  ye  may  see, 

To  lohn  Bochas  gan  shewe  his  presence 

The  thridde  kyng,  callid  Phelete,  2600 

Which  bi  Fortunys  sodeyn  violence 

Loste  his  kyngdam,  and  be  cruel  sentence 

Of  Odoacer,  the  tiraunt  merciles, 

Loste  his  liff  and  cam  no  mor  in  pres.  2604 

Thes  sodeyn  chaunges  to  reede  whan  I  gan, 

Sauh  so  ofte  the  wheel  turne  up  &  doun 

^  Of  Fortune;   ther  cam  oon  Marcian, 

Of  whom  is  maad  non  othir  mencioun,  2608 

SaufF  be  a  sodeyn  coniuraceoun 

He  moordred  was,  [he]  beyng  innocent, 

Among  his  knihtis,  which  slouh  hym  of  assent. 

and  young  Leo.  ^  Than  tofot  Bochas  to  shewcfn]  his  pr(fsence       2612 

who  justly  r^.  ,  ...  ,  J:     ■■  '^ 

succeeded  his     1  hct  Cam  oon  that  callid  was  Leoun, 

samrname,       Which  kauht  a  title  be  no  violence. 

But  made  his  cleym  be  iust  successioun 
AiFtir  his  fadir,  and  took  pocessioun,  2616 

Which  of  a  Leoun,  myn  auctOMr  seith  the  same, 
Beyng  emp^rowr,  bar  the  same  name. 

was  tyrannousiy'This  yonger  Lcoun,  agcyn  al  trouthe  &  riht, 

put  out  of  his     _         .-'        °  ,    .  -^  .  ' 

realm  by  Zeno  be  tirannyc,  as  maad  IS  mencioun,  2620 

and  forced  to      #-y->i  i  i/v  i  ii*im 

become  a  1  horuh  cruci  Zcno,  that  was  an  hardi  kniht, 

™°°'  Was  put  out  of  his  pocessioun, 

Constreyned  to  lyue  in  religioun; 

But  to  what  ordre  that  he  did[e]  weende,  2624 

I  fynde  nat;   but  ther  he  made  an  eende. 


2591.  of]  o  H. 

2600.  Philite  P. 

2605.  began^  H. 

2609.  a3  om.  R. 


2604.   and]  om.  H. 
2606.   off  ten  H  —  vp  so  doun  H,  J. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  162  verso. 


BK.  VIIl] 


Symmachus  and  Boetius 


897 


plow  Symak  and  Boys  his  son  in  lawe  were  banys- 
shed  and  aftir  luged  to  die.]  ^ 

AFFTIR  thes  myscheuys  Symak  gaw  [p.  396] 
hym  drawe 
Toward  Bochas  -with  a  ful  pitous  face; 
Bois  cam  -with  hym,  that  was  his  sone  in  lawe,     2628 
Which  among  Romeyws  gretli  stood  in  grace. 
But  in  this  mateer  breefli  for[th]  to  pace, 
The  said[e]  Bois,  only  for  his  trouthe 
Exilid  was;  alas,  it  was  gret  routhe!  2632 

For  comoun  proffit  he  was  onto  the  toun 

In  mateeres  that  groundid  wer  on  riht 

Verray  protectowr  and  stedfast  champioun 

Ageyn  too  tirauntis,  which  of  force  &  myht  2636 

Hadde  in  the  poraille  oppressid  many  a  wiht 

Be  exacciouns  and  pillages  gunne  of  newe 

Vpon  the  comouns,  ful  fals  &  riht  vntrewe. 

Whan*  Theodorik,  of  Gothes  lord  &  kyng,  2640 

Took  upon  hym  be  fals  intrusioun 

To  regne  in  Roome,  the  peeple  oppressyng 

Bi  his  too  prouostis,  as  maad  is  mencioun,  — 

Did  in  the  cite  gret  oppressioun,  2644 

Confederat  as  brothir  onto  brothir: 

Coniugast,  and  Trigwill  was  the  tothir. 

Compendiousli  this  mateer  to  declare, 

To  saue  the  comoun  Bois  stood  in  difFence;  2648 

For  \yW  nor  deth  he  list  nat  for  to  spare 

To  withstonde  of  tiraunt^j-  the  sentence. 

Kyng  Theodorik  of  cruel  violence 

Banshed  hym  bi  hatful  tirannye,  2652 

He  and  his  fadir  tabide  in  Pauye. 

Aftirward  Theodorik  of  hatreede, 

Lik  a  fals  tiraunt,  of  malis  &  envie 

Yaf  iugement  that  bothe  too  wer  dede.  2656 

Bot  touchyng  Boys,  as  bookis  specefie, 

Wrot  dyuers  bookis  of  philosophie. 

Of  the  Trynite  mateeres  }^at  wer  dyuyne, 

Martird  for  Crist  &  callid  Seueryne.  2660 


Symmachus 
and  his 
son-in-law 
Boetius  were 
great  favour- 
ites in  Rome; 
and  Boetius 
was  exiled  for 
his  upright- 


He  was 
protector  and 
champion 
of  the  city 
against  two 
tyrants. 


Conigastus 
and  Trigguilla, 
provosts  of 
Theodoric; 


but  his 
struggle 
against 
them  brought 
him  into 
disfavour 
with 

Theodoric, 
who  banished 
him  and  his 
father  to 
Pavia. 


Afterwards 
they  were 
both  con- 
demned to 
death. 


2626.   Simachus  P.        2628.    Boetius  P. 
2639.   riht]  eke  R,       2640.   Whan]  Than  B. 

*  MS.  J.  leaf  162  verso. 


898  The  Story  of  King  Arthur  [bk.  viii 


[Off   kjmg   Arthure   and    his   conquestes  /  of    the  | 

commoditees  of  Englond  /  and  he  was  destroied  \ 

by  his  Cosyn  Mordrede.]  ^ 

Was  there  ever  "1 X /"AS  tutr  prlncc  [that]  iiiilite  hymsilf  assure 
couiTmake"      VV     Of  Fortuiie  the  fauo;<r  to  restreyne?  — 

himself  secure      t  •!     i   •        1       •      i   • 

in  Fortune's     LiK  his  dcsiF  hir  gracc  to  recure 

grtcef  Tabide  stable  &  stonde[n]  at  certeyne  ?  2664 

Amo/!g  alle  rekne  Arthoz^r  of  Breteyne,  ; 

Which  in  his  tyme  was  holde  of  eu^ry  wiht  | 

The  wisest  prince  and  the  beste  kniht.  ' 

Arthur  of        To  whom  Bochas  gan  his  stile  dresse,  2668 

Britain  was  in      ^  ....    .  ill  i 

his  time  heij  to  In  this  chapitlc  to  rcmembre  blyue 

prince  TnTbest  His  gtetc  conqucst  &  his  hih  noblesse,  ^ 

Bolll'as  te"is      Wit)b  syngulcr  deedis  that  he  wrouhte  his  lyue.  j 

thu"h7pter.     ^'^^  fi'^s^  h^  gynneth  breefli  to  descryue  2672              t 

The  siht  of  Breteyne  &  of  that  contre, 

Which  is  enclosed  wzt^  a  large  se,  ' 

Britain  is  sur-    Set  fcrr  wGstward,  as  ye  shal  vndirstond, 
large  sea  and     Hauy?ig  SpaigFic*  set  in  the  opposit,  2676 

west,"north  of   Of  3.  smal  angle  callid  Ing[e]lond, 
F?aice^"'itTas  Ftauncc  aboute  hym,  descryuywg  thus  his  siht,  — 
iroTbaUi7"nd    With  many  a  ryueer  plesauwt  of  deliht,  i 

divers  minerals,  Hote  bathes  [&]  wclHs  ther  be  founde,  2680  I 

Dyuers  myneres,  of  metallis  ful  habounde.  ] 

and  is  abund-    Aboute  which  tcnweth  the  occian, 

ant  in  food.  t\  •^  ^  r      i  ••II  ' 

London  has       Riht  plentcuous  01  al  man^r  vitaille,  i 

che^st'er^wbe,     The  name  of  which  at  Brutis  first  began.  2684 

fraitsrHertford  Londene  hath  shippis  be  the  se  to  saille,  j 

Stlwofd's'^w^i.  Bachus  at  Wynchestre  gretli  doth  auaille,  ■ 
Worcetre  yvith  frutis  haboundeth  at  the  fulle, 

Herford  vfith  beestis,  Cotiswold  with  wolle,  2688              : 

There  are  hot    Bathe  hote  bathes,  holsum  for  medecyne,  ! 

baths  in  Bath,    -it       ,  •,      •  i  r  ' 

York  has         York  mihti  tymber  tor  gret  auauntage, 

wSi  m'ines,"^"'    Comewaile  myneres  in  to  myne,  ; 

2671.   deedis]  om.  H.  ' 

2475.   westward]  west  H. 

2676.    Spaigne]  in  Spaigne  B.  S.  • 

2680,   &]  om.  H,  R  3.         2684.   at]  &  H.  ; 

2686.   Wynchestre]  Westmynstre  H,  Westmenstre  R  3.  ; 

2691.    Cornewale  H.  j 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  163  recto.  j 


BK.  VIII^l 


King  Arthur  and  Britain 


899 


Salisburie  beestis  ful  sauage,  2692 

Whete,  melk  &  honi,  plente  for  eueri  age, 
Kent  and  Cauwtirburi  hath  gret  commodite 
Of  sondri  fishes  ther  taken  in  the  se. 

Bochas  reherseth,  ther  is  eek  in  Breteyne  2696 

Fouwd  of  geet  a  ful  precious  stoon, 

Blak  of  colour  &  vertuous  iw  certeyne 

For  siknessis  many  mo  than  oon, 

Poudir  of  which  wil  discure  anon,  2700 

Yif  it  be  dronke  (thouh  it  be  secre), 

Of  maydenhod  the  broke  chastite. 

Ther  been  eke*  perlis  fouwde  in  muskel  shells/; 

And  thei  [be]  beste  that  haue  most  whitnesse.       2704 

And,  as  the  book  of  Brutus  also  tell^j. 

How  kyng  Arthowr,  to  speke  of  worthynesse, 

Passed  al  kynges  in  marcial  prowesse; 

Touchyng  his  lyne  &  his  roial  kynreede,  2708 

Who  that  list  see,  in  Brutus  he  may  reede. 

His  fadir  callid  Vter  Pendragouw,  [p.  397] 

A  manli  kniht  and  famous  of  corage, 

Of  fals  envie  moordrid  be  poisouw;  2712 

His  sone  ArthoMr,  but  yong  &  tendre  of  age. 

Be  ful  assent  of  al  his  baronage 

Be  successiouw  crownid  anon  riht, 

Callid  of  Europe  the  moste  famous  kniht.  2716 

Curteis,  large  and  manly  of  dispence, 

Merour  callid  off  liberalite, 

Hardi,  strong  and  of  gret  prouidence. 

And  of  his  knihtli  magnanymyte  2720 

He  droof  Saxones*  out  of  his  contre. 

Conquered  bi  prowesse  of  his  myhti  bond 

Orcadois,  Denmark  and  Houlond, 

Hirelond,  Norway,  Gaule,  Scotlond  &  France,      2724 

As  Martis  sone  to  the  werris  meete, 

Wrouht  bi  counsail,  and  bi  the  ordynautice 

Of  prudent  Merlyn,  callid  his  prophete. 

And,  as  I  fynde,  he  leet  make  a  seete,  2728 


Salisbury  wild 
cattle,  Kent 
and  Canter- 
bury have 
plenty  of  fish. 


As  Bochas 
says,  jet  is 
found  in 
Britain,  and 
its  powder 
when  drunk 
will  quickly 
discover 
broken 
chastity. 


There  are  also 
pearls,  and 
the  whitest 
are  the  best. 
King  Arthur 
surpassed  all 
kings  in 
martial 
prowess, 
and  his  line 
is  described 
in  the  Brut. 

His  father 
was  Uther 
Pendragon, 
and  after  he 
had  been 
murdered 
by  poison, 
Arthur  was 
crowned  king. 


Arthur  was 
courteous  and 
a  mirror  of 
liberality, 
hardy  and  of 
great  foresight. 
He  drove  out 
the  Saxons 
and  conquered 
the  Orkneys, 
Denmark  and 
Holland, 
Ireland,  Nor- 
way, Gaul, 
Scotland  and 
France,  by 
the  counsel  of 
prudent 
Merlin.    He 
founded  the 
order  of  the 
Round  Table, 


2693.  whete  melk]  whetmele  H. 

2697.  geet]  gret  R. 

2703.  eke]  of  B,  R,  J. 

2717.  dispence]  expense  R.       2721.   Saxones]  Saxoyns  B. 

2723.  holonde  H,  Holande  R  3.       2727.   Merlyn]  Marly  H. 


900  The  Knights  of  the  Round  Table  [bk.  viii 

Amon[g]  his  Breton /;s  most  famous  k  notable, 
Tlioruh  al  the  world  callid  the  Rou?Ki[e]  I'able. 

and  chose  out    Most  worthl  Icnlhtis,  prceucd  of  ther  hond, 
famolirkniKhts  Chosc  out  be  Arthoz/t  this  ordre  haiie  begunne;    2732 
"em^by"'^        Ther  famous  noblesse  thoruh  eu^-ry  Cristen  lond 
.utute  Shon  be  report  as  doth  the  mydday  son?ie; 

To  Famys  paleis  the  renoun  is  vp  ronne, 
Statutis  set  be  vertuous  ordenaunce,  2736 

Vndir  profFessioun  of  marcial  gou^-rnaunce. 

to  be  always     The  firstc  statut  in  the[r]  registre  founde, 
wh"in  th""''*    Fro  which  thei  sholde  nat  declyne  of  riht, 
!'uTtain'"rihrfui  Be  ful  assurau?ice  of  oth  and  custum  bounde,        2740 
quarrel.  ^^  ^^  ^^  atmyd  in  platis  forgid  briht, 

Except  a  space  to  reste*  hem  on  the  niht, 

Seeke  auentures,  &  ther  tyme  spende 

Rihtful  quarellis  to  susteene  &  difFende.  2744 

and  help  the     The  feebler  parti,  yif  he  hadde  riht, 

weaker  party       _,         ,  ,. 

if  justice  were    1  o  thcr  poweer  manii  to  supporte, 

on  his  side.       yjj.  ^^^^  ^j^gj  ^^^^  requered  of  any  wiht 

Folk  disconsolat  to  hern  vp  &  conforte,  2748 

At  alle  tymes  men  may  of  hem*  reporte, 

No  man^r  wise  thei  do  no  violence 

And  ageyn  tirauwt^j  make  knihtli  resistence, 

bound^Tcora-  That  widwcs,  maidnes  sufFre  no  damage  2752 

fort  the  dis-      gg  fals  oppressioun  of  hatful  cruelte, 

consolate  and  i   -i  i  i  i        • 

to  resist  Restoren  child  re  to  ther  trewe  heritage, 

tyrants,  so  that -^,  i-         -i      i    r   ii  i 

widows  and       Wrongli  cxilcd  rolk  to  ther  contre, 

^rotected''fnd    And  for  hooH  chirchis  liberte  2756 

stwed^Wheir  Rcedi  eucre  to  make  hemsilue  strong, 

inheritance  and  j^^^.}^g J.  ^q  jgjg  ^j^^^  suffre  hcm  [to]  hauc  wtong. 

make  them-  _,  rr  i  L  * 

selves  strong  in  i*  or  comoun  promt,  as  chose  champiouns, 
ho!y  chu"rch  °    Pto  repubHcd  defendyng  ther  contre,  2760 

Shewe  ay  themsilfF[e]  hardi  as  leouws, 
Honoure  tencrece,  chastise  dishoneste, 
Releue  al  them  that  suffre  aduersite. 
Religious  folk,  haue  hem  in  reuerence,  2764 

Pilgrymes  resceyue  that  faille  of  \)er  dispence. 

They  performed  Callid  in  armys  seuene  deedis  of  m^rcy, 

the  seven  deeds   t-«        •     ^  i*  i  r    "i     :»:  l^ 

of  mercyinarmsBurie*  soudiours  that  taile*  sepulture, 

2742.   reste]  resten  B.       2744.   quarell  R. 

2749.   At  alle  tymes]  \)at  al  tyme  H.       2755.   to]  for  R. 

2767.   Burie]  Buried  B,  J  —  faile]  failed  B,  J. 


and  their 
country. 


BK.  VIII^ 


The  Knights  of  the  Round  Table 


901 


Folk  in  prisouw  delyuere  hem  graciousli,  2768 

Swich  as  be  poore,  ther  rauwsouw  to  recure. 
Woundid  peeple  that  languisshe  &  endure, 
Which  pro  republica  manli  spent  her  blood,  — 
The  statut  bond  to  do  suich  folkis  good.  2772 

To  putte  hemsilfF  neuer  in  auenture 

But  for  mateeres  that  wer  iust  &  trewe, 

Afforn  prouided  that  thei  stood[e]  sure. 

The  ground  weel  knowe,  wer  it  of  old  or  newe.     2776 

And  aftir  that  the  mateer  whan  thei  knewe, 

To  proceede  knihtH  &  nat  feyne, 

As  riht  requereth*,  ther  quarelis  to  darreyne. 

A  clerk  ther  was  to  cronicle  al  ther  deedis,  2780 

Bi  pursyuauntis  maad  to  hym  report 

Of  ther  expleit  and  ther  goode  speedis, 

Rad  &  songe,  to  folk  gafF  gret  confort. 

Thes  famous  knihtis  makywg  ther  resort  2784 

At  hih[e]  feestis,  euerich  took  his  seete 

Lik  ther  estat,  as  was  to  them  meete. 

Oon  was  voide*  callid  the  se  pereilous. 

As  Sang  Real  doth  pleywli  determyne,  278S 

Noon  to  entre  but  the  most  vertuous, 

Of  God  prouided  to  been  a  pure  virgyne. 

Born  bi*  discent  tacomplisshe  &  to  fyne, 

He  allone,  as  cheefF  and  souereyne,  2792 

Al  auentures  of  Walis  &  Breteyne. 

Among  al  kynges  renomwed  &  famous,  [p.  398] 

As  a  briht  sonne  set  amyd  the  sterris. 

So  stood  ArthoMr  notable  &  glorious,  2796 

Lik  fresh[e]  Phebus  castywg  his  liht  aferris. 

In  pes  lik  Argus;  most  marcial  \n  t)e  werris; 

As  Ector  hardi,  lik  Vlixes  tretable, 

Callid  among  Cristene,  kywg  most  honourable.     2800 

His  roial  court  he  did[e]  so  ordeyne, 
Thoruh  ech  contre  so  ferr  sprad  out  l^e  liht, 
Who  that  euer  thidir  cam  to  pleyne. 


and  never  put 
themselves  in 
adventure 
except  for  just 
causes. 


There  was  a 
clerk,  who  re- 
corded their 
deeds;  and  at 
high  feasts 
each  took  his 
seat  according 
to  his  rank. 


One  seat  was 
empty,  called 
the  See  Per- 
ilous, and 
only  the  most 
virtuous 
could  place 
himself 
there. 


Arthur  was  to 
other  kings    as 
a  bright  sun 
set  amidst  the 
stars;    he  was 
Argus,  Hector, 
Ulysses  in  one. 


The  light  of 
his  royal  court 
spread  abroad 
through  other 
realms,  and 


2779.  requered  B,  J  —  ther]  t>e  H  —  quarell  R. 

2781.  pusyuauwtis  R,  pusivauntis  H,  purcevauntys  J. 

2784.  Thes]  Jjc  H. 

2786.  estat]  staat  R. 

2787.  voide]  wide  B,  wilde  J. 

2788.  seyn  Greall  H,  seyn  Geral  R  3,  Seyn  Greal  P,  Sank  Riall  J. 
2791.  bi]  of  B,  J. 


902 


The  Knights  of  the  Round  Table 
Be  wronc;  opprcssld*,  &  requered  of  rlht, 


[bk. 


there  was 

Je'ady  at  hand     111   llis  diffcllCC  llC  sHoldc  Jyiulc  a  Icuillt 

oppressed.'  '    To  hyiii  assigncd,  fynalli  tatende 

Be  marcial  doom  his  quarel  to  difFcnde 

The  challenges  Yif  it  fill  soo  that  any  strau;?ge  kniht 


VIII 


2804 


of  strange 
knights  were 
also  accepted 


Souht  auentures,  and  thidir  ca;n  fro  ferre 
To  doon  arniys,  his  request  niaad  of  riht, 
His  chalenge  sey/i,  wer  it  of  pes  or  werre, 
Was  accepted,  to  the  court  ca?/!  nerre, 
Lik  as  he  caw  with  many  or  allone, 
Thei  wer  delyuered;   forsake  was  neu^fr  one. 

and  there  was   Thcr  was  the  scoole  of  marcial  doctrine 
martial  doctrine  Fot  yonge  kniht(fj  to  lemen  al  the  guise, 

for  the  young,     j^  ^^^j^.^  ^^^  ^^  j^^^^*  f^,j  disciplyne 

On  hors  or  foote  be  notable  excersise; 
Thyng  take  in  youthe  doth  help  in  many  wise, 
And  Idilnesse  in  greene  yeeris  gonriQ 
Of  al  vertu  clipseth  the  sheene*  sonne. 

and  all  wronged  Widwes,  maidnes,  oppressid  folk  also, 

people,  widows    ^_  _  1        1  • 

and  maidens  of  Of  extort  wrongcs  wrouht  be  tiranwye, 
were"rVceh-ed,    In  that  court,  what  nacioun  cam  therto, 
asslgned^to^^     Resceyuid  wer;   ther  list  no  maw  denie. 
their  defence.    Of  thcr  cowpleyntis  fond  reedy  remedie, 
Maad  no  delay,  but  foorth  anow[e]  riht 
Them  to  diffende  asigned  was  a  kniht. 

Eek  bi  ther  ordre  thei  bounde  wer  of  trouthe. 

Be  assuraunce  &  be  oth  Isworn, 

In  ther  emprises,  and  lette  for  no  slouthe, 

Pleynli  to  telle  how  thei  haue  he?n  born, 

Ther  auentures  of  thynges  do  beforn, 

Riht  as  it  fill,  spare  in  no  maneere 

To  telle  ech  thyng  onto  ther  registreer. 

Thyng  openli  doon  or  thywg  that  was  secre, 

Of  auentures  as  betwixe  tweyne. 

Or  any  quarel  take  of  volunte 

Treuly  reporte,  and  platli  nat  to  feyne, 

Them  to  be  sworn,  the  statut  did  ordeyne, 

No[uh]t  conselid  of  worshep  nor  of  shame. 

To  be  registred  reporte  the  silue  same. 


2808 


2812 


2816 


2820 


2824 


2828 


The  knights 
were  also 
bound  to  tell 
truthfully  to 
the  registrar 
all  that  befell 
during  their 
adventures; 


and  their 
statements 
were  sworn. 


2832 


2836 


2840 


2804.   oppressid]  repressid  B.         2809.   aventur^  H. 

2817.   haue]  lerne  B.       2821.   sheene]  cleer  B,  clere  J,  cleare  P. 

2825.  wer  ther]  ther  thei  H.        2841.   conseHd]  cownsaihd  H. 


BK.  viii]      The  Romans  demand  Tribute  of  Arthur 


903 


And  to  conclude,  the  statutis  han  vs  lered, 

Eueri  quarel  grouwdid  on  honeste,  2844 

In  that  court  what  kniht  was  requerid, 

In  the  difFence  of  trouthe  and  equite, 

Falshod  excludid  and  dupHcite, 

Shal  ay  be  reedi  to  susteene  that  partie,  2848 

His  lyfF,  his  bodi  to  putte  in  iupartie. 

Thus  in  Breteyne  shon  the  cleer[e]  Hht 

Of  cheualrye  and  of  hih  prowesse, 

Which  thoruh  the  world[e]  shadde  his  bemys 

briht,  2852 

Welle  of  worshep,  conduit  of  al  noblesse, 
Imperial  court  al  wrongis  to  redresse,* 
Hedspryng  of  honour,  of  largesse  cheef  cisterne, 
MeroMf  of  mawhod,  of  noblesse  the  lanterne.         2856 

Yit  was  ther  neuer  seyw  so  briht  a  sonne, 

The  someres  day  in  the  mydday  speere 

So  fress[h]li  shyne,  but  sum  skies  donwe 

Mihte  percas  courtyne  his  bemys  cleere;  2860 

Oft  it  fallith,  whan  Fortune  makth  best  cheere 

And  falsli  smylith  in  hir  double  weede. 

Folk  seyn  expert,  than  is  she  most  to  dreede. 

Thus  whan  the  name  of  this  worthi  kyng  2864 

Was  ferthest  sprad  be  report  &  memorye, 

In  eueri  rewm  his  noblesse  most  shynyng, 

Al  his  emprises  concludyng  with  victorie, 

This  double  goddesse  envied  at  his  glorie  2868 

And  caste  menys  be  sum  maner  treyne 

To  clipse  the  liht  of  knihthod  in  Breteyne. 

Thus  whil  ArthoMr  stood  most  honourable 

In  his  estat,  flouryng  in  lusti  age,  2872 

Among  his  knihtis  of  the  round[e]  table, 

Hiest  of  princis  on  Fortunis  stage. 

The  Romeyns  sente  to  hym  for  truage, 

Gan  make  a  cleym  froward  &  outraious,  2876 

Takyng  ther  title  of  Cesar  lulivs. 

The  same  tyme,  this  myhti  kyng  Artho^r       [p.  399] 
Conquered  hadde  Gaule  &  also  Fraunce, 

2852.  the]  al  Jje  H  —  his  beemys  shad  so  briht  H,  R  3. 

2854.  redresse]  represse  B,  J.       2858.   2nd  the]  om.  R. 

2861.  best]  om.  R.       2863.   she]  om.  H  —  to]  om.  H. 

2864.  this]  \>ax.  H.         2870.   Eclipse  H. 

2876.  Gan]  Gayn  R.  2877.   ther]  ^^G.  H. 


Every  honest 
quarrel  was 
defended  to 
the  death. 


Thus  the  clear 
light  of 
chivalry   shone 
ia  Britain; 


but  the  sun  is 
never  so  bright 
but  that  some- 
times a  passing 
cloud  throws  it 
into  the 
shadow; 
and  Fortune 
often  smiles 
most  kindly 
when  she  is 
most  to  dread. 

Thus,  while 
Arthur  was 
flowering 
in  his  strength. 


the  Romans 
sent  to  him  for 
tribute,  out- 
rageously 
claiming  a  title 
from  Julius 
Caesar. 


904  Arthur's   Victories  in  France  [bk.  viii 

This  harpfneJ  Outmlcd  Frollc,  and  lik  a  conquerowr  2880 

at  a  time  after    d  i  t->  i-         i      ■ 

Arthur  had        Droiilito  1  cifys  viuiir  ohcissaiu/cc, 

been  victorious    T^ii  ^'  o  '^ll'  ] 

in  France.         1  ooK  hciii  to  ^racc,  &  With  liis  ordenauncc 
Gat  al  Auwgoie,  Au;/gerys*  &  Gascoyne, 
Peitow,  Nauerne,  Berry  &  Burgoyne.  2884 

He  conquered    Ccsscd  nat,  but  dcd  his  besi  peyne, 

Pans,  Oascony,   ,,  ,.,  ,      .,       ,        iir        ii- 

the  country  of  Most  liK  a  Kiiiht  hccld  torth  liis  passagc, 
Toura^ne!"and  Gat  al  the  lond  of  Pcitcrcs  &  Towreyne, 
k'^'ni^'year""  ThcT  cites  yolde,  to  hym  thei  did  homage;  2888 

To  be  rebell  thei  fond  non  auauntage, 
Soio/<rned  in  France,  as  seith  the  cronicleer, 
Heeld  pocessiou7i  the  space  of  nyne  yeer. 

He  held  a        Hecld  a  feestc  ful  solempne  at  Parys,  —  2802 

feast  in  Pans,       .11  i'ii-t-> 

and  divided  the  Ai  the  coHtres  which  he  gat  in  rrauwce, 

lands  of  France  t  •!  •  r    1  •  1  o         • 

among  his        LiK  a  prince  rul  prouident  &  wis, 

baron"  *"        Which  haddc  of  fredam  most*  roial  suffisaunce, 

Of  al  his  conquest  the  contres  in  substauwce,         2896 
For  his  princis  and  barouws  so  prouided, 
Lik  ther  desertis  he  hath  hem  deuided. 

To  Kay  he       To  his  senescall  that  was  callid  Kay 

gave  Anjou  and    .  *    o     iv  /r  i  rr     \     ^  • 

Maine,  to         Aungoyc'^  &  Meyn  he  gait  al  that  partie;  2900 

Bedevere  Nor-     nr      i   •      i         i  i  r    t  i    i 

mandy,  to         lo  his  botlecr,  was  maad[ej  no  delay, 

Du'chy  o^f         Callid  Bedewar,  he  gaf  Normandie; 

Burgundy,        "j^q  ^  baroun,  nih  cos^^n  of  allie, 

A  manli  kniht  which  namyd  was  Berell,  2904 

Gaff  the  duchie  of  Burgoyne  eu^rydeell. 

and  reserving    Thus  he  dcpartid  lordships  of  that  lond, 

other  lordships    .,.  11,  ,• 

for  himself,  re-  VVher  he  thouhte  was  most  expedient; 

turned  to  f,  .  ,    .       ,   .  ,  , 

Britain  and       bummc  he  reserued  in  his  owne  hond,  2908 

g^eaVpriil-      Ageyw  to  Brcteync  retowrnid  of  entent, 
Ca°iUn.  Sent  out  writtes,  heeld  a  gret  parlemewt, 

Afftir  which  he  made  a  feeste  anon 

In  the  contre  Icallid  Gloumorgon,  2912 

Ten  kings  were  At  3  gret  citc  namyd  Carlioun, 

there  ready  to       .         .  *?  .  i      •  i    i 

obey  Arthur,     As  [itj  IS  rcmewbrid  be  writyngis, 

thirteen  earls,       /^  .  ■,  r  I     i 

many  barons,     Cam  many  princc  and  many  rressh  baroun, 

In  nouTnbre,  I  fynde,  that  ther  wer  ten  kynges,    2916 
Reedi  tobeie  Arthowr  in  alle  thynges; 

2883.  AuMgerys]  Aungorys  B.       2885.   nat]  om.  R. 

2894.  prouident]  prudently  H.       2895.   most]  ful  B,  J. 

2900.  Aungoyne  B,  P. 

2902.  Bedwar  R,  Bedwerif  H. 


BK.  \uf\        The  Roman  Envoys  at  Arthur  s  Court 


90s 


Present  also,  as  It  was  weel  scene, 
Ther  wer  of  erlis  reknid  ful  thretteene. 

Al  the  kniht^j  of  the  rounde  table,  2920 

Feste  of  Pentecost,  a  feeste  princepal. 

Many  estatis  famous  &  honourable 

Of  princis,  barouns  born  of  the  blood  roial 

Wer  ther  present*,  and  in  especial  2924 

Al  tho  that  wern  be  oth  &  promys  bounde 

To  brothirhede*  of  the  table  rouwde. 

And  it  fill  so,  whil  that  kyng  Arthoz^r 

As  appartened  sat  in  his  estat,  2928 

Ther  cam  tuelue  sent  douw  be  gret  labour 

Of  olde  mene  chose  [out]  of  the  Senat, 

Sad  of  ther  port,  demvre  &  temporat, 

Richeli  clad,  of  look  and  off  visage,  2932 

Greihored  [echon],  sempte  of  riht  gret  age. 

First  cunwyngli,  as  thei  thouht  it  due. 

Cause  of  ther  comyng  &  pleywli  what  thei  mente,  — 

First  of  assent  the  kyng  thei  gan  salue,  2936 

Next  aftir  that  thei  tolde  who  them  sente, 

And  ther  lettres  meekli  thei  presente, 

Cowcludyng  thus,  to  speke  \n  breef  langage, 

How  the  Romeyns  axe  of  hym  truage.  2940 

Custumyd  of  old  sith  go  many  [a]  day. 

Whan  that  Cesar  conquered  first  Breteyne, 

The  kyng  requeryng  to  make  hew  no  delay. 

Arthour  abood,  list  nothyng  to  seyne;  2944 

But  al  the  court  gan  at  hem  disdeyne; 

The  proude  Bretou?zs  of  cruel  hasti  blood 

Wolde  hem  haue  slay[e]n  euene  ther  thei  stood. 

"Nay,"  quod  Arthowr  to  al  his  oflRceeres,  2948 

"Wzt^ynne  our  court  thei  shal  haue  no  damage; 

Thei  entred  been  and  kome  as  massageris. 

And  men  also  gretli  falle  in  age. 

Let  make  hem  cheer[e]  with  a  glad  visage."  2952 

Took  his  counsail  of  suich  as  wer  most  wise. 

With  this  ansuere  seid  in  curteis  wise: 


and  all  the 
knights  of  the 
Round  Table. 


Then  came 
twelve  richly 
clad  old 
Romans  chosen 
by  the    Senate 
to  present    the 
claims  of 
Rome. 


They  saluted 
the  king  and 
meekly  pre- 
sented their 
credentials, 
demanding 
immediate  pay- 
ment of  the 
tribute, 


which  they 
said  dated 
back  to  the 
time  of 
Caesar's  con- 
quest.    Arthur 
was  silent,  but 
his  court  would 
have  slain  the 
Roman  envoys. 


"Nay,"  said 
Arthur,  "they 
shall  have  no 
damage  in  our 
court." 


2924.   ther  present]  present  ther  B. 

2926.   brothirhede]  brothreed  B.       2927.  whil  that]  ^at  while  H. 

2930.   of]  om.  R.       2931.   temperate  H. 

2933.   echon]  om.  J  —  gret]  om.  R. 

2935.   what]  Jjat  H.       2946.   hasty  cruel  H. 

2948.   his]  these  R.       2954.   this]  his  R. 


9o6  Arthur  s  Anszver  to  the  Roman  Envoys        [bk.  viii 

His  answer  wa8."Yoj/r  Icttfcs  r.'ul  and  pleynli  vndirstonde, 

"You  threaten    „,  i  i         i  •   i    •"        i   •  i 

me  with  war,       1  he  tCnCUf  llOOl   IcIlCrSKl  111  tluS   plaCC,  2956 

Touchi/ig  the  charge  which  ye  haue  tak  on  honde, 

To  yiue  ansuere  rehersid  in  short  space, 

Be  woord  &  writyng  ye  gretli  me  manace, 

How  yc  purpose  with  many  strong  hataille  2960 

Passe  the  mountcyns  me  fcUi  tor  tassaille. 

hut  you  need     It  nedcth  nat  suich  conquest  to  a-legge  [p.  400] 

not  trouble  to  '  hfo  LI'     t       J 


come  the  entire  Agcyn[es]  Bretou7?s  of  non  old  truage, 

shorten  your     Of  comyng  doun  yowr  weie  I  shal  abregge,  2964 

i3^",'gVa"e."    With  Goddis  grace  shorte  yowr  passage. 

Male  no  delay,  but  with  my  barounage 

Passe  the  se  withoute  long  tarieng 

To  meete  Romeyns  at  ther  dou«  komywg."  2968 

At  their  de-      This  was  the  ansucrc  youe  to  the  massagers. 

were  given  rich  At  thct  departy[n]g  bar  with  hew  gret  richesse, 

tirning"to  ^^    The  kyng  bad  so  vnto  his  officeeres. 

Arthur' rCou^n-  AgeyH  to  Roome  in  haste  thei  gan  hem  dresse,     2972 

teous  hbcrahty.  pjeynli  repottyng  the  bounteuous*  largesse 
Of  worthi  Arthowr,  considred  all[e]  thynges, 
Of  Cristendom  he  passed  all  othir  kynges. 

They  told        ArthuHs  court  was  the  sours  and  well  2976 

Lucius  that  -,^-  .    ,  y  I'll 

he  excelled  all   Ui  marcial  power*,  to  Lucyvs  thei  tolde, 
chivIfiT?  and     And  how  that  he  all  othir  did  excell 
were^theW^In  chuialric,  with  whom  ther  wer  withholde 
in  Europe;        'pp,g  chose  knihtis,  bothe  yong  &  olde,  2980 

In  al  Europe,  who  caw  considre  ariht, 
Of  al  noblesse  the  torchis  be  ther  liht. 

they  said         He  cast  hym  nat  to  paien  no  truage, 
he  would  pay    Seide  of  the  Romeyns  [how]  he  heeld  no  lond,       2984 
he  held" no  °^  Which  to*  difFcndc  he  wil  make  his  passage, 
RoL°is."''       "Of  your  cleymys  to  breke  atoo  the  bond ; " 
And  knihtli  preeue  [it]  with  his  [owne]  bond, 
"Ye  haue  no  title,  ye  nor  your  cite,  2988 

Ageyn  the  Bretouws,  which  euer  haue  stowde  free." 

2956.   tenour  R,  H. 

2972.  thai  gan  in  hast  H. 

2973.  the]  om.  H  —  bounteuous]  plenteuous  B,  J. 
2975.   othir]  om.  H. 

2977.    power]  prowesse  B,  J,  P. 

2984.   how]  om.  R.       2985.   to]  for  to  B,  R,  J. 

2987.   it  and  owne  are  supplied  from  MS.  Harley  1766,  om.  in  B, 

R,  J,  P,  H  5,  H,  R  3. 
2989.   haue]  hath  R. 


BK.  VIIl] 


Arthur  s  War  with  the  Romans 


907 


With  al  the  kyngdames  soget  to  Rome  town, 

Kynges,  princis  abofF  the  hih  momzteyws, 

With  Lucyus  thei  be  descendid  doun  2992 

To  meete  Bretouws  upon  the  large  pleyws. 

Arthour[i]s  comyng  greth  he  disdeyns, 

Because  he  hadde,  pleynH  to  descryue, 

In  multitude  of  peeple  swich[e]  fyue.  2996 

At  Southhamptouw  Artho«r  took  the  se 
With  al  his  knihtis  of  the  Rounde  Table, 
Behynde  he  lefFte  to  gouerne  the  contre 
His  cosyn  Modred,  vntrusti  &  vnstable, 
And,  at  a  preef,  fals  &  deceyuable. 
To  whom  Arthottr  of  trust  took  al  the  lond. 
The  crowne  except,  which  he  kept  in  his  bond. 

Fro  Southhamptoun  Arthowr  gaw  to  saile  3004 

With  al  the  worthi  lordis  of  Breteyne, 

At  Barbeflu  fond  good  arryuaile; 

He  and  his  princis  ther  passage  did  ordeyne 

Thoruh  Normandie,  France  &  eek  Burgeyne         3008 

Vp  to  a  cite  callid  Augustence, 

Wher  he  first  fond  of  Lucyus  the  presence. 

So  large  a  feeld  nor  suich  a  multitude 

Of  men  of  armys  assemblid  on  a  pleyn  3012 

Vpon  a  day,  shortli  to  conclude, 

Togidre  assemblid  afForn  wer*  neu^r  seyw. 

Lucivs  hadde  on  his  partie  certeyn 

Estward  the  world[e]  al  the  cheualrie  3016 

Brouht  be  the  mounteyns  doun  toward  Germanye. 

Ther  wardis  sett,  in  ech  a  gret  bataile, 

With  ther  capteyns  to  gouerne  hem  &  guye, 

Arture  with  Bretouns  the  Romeins  gan*  assaile,  3020 

Fond  many  Sarsyns  vpon  that  partie. 

The  Bretoun  Gaufride  doth  pleynli  specefie, 

As  he  of  Arthure  \)e  prowesse  doth  descryue, 

He  slouh  that  day  of  Sarsyns  kynges  fyue.  3024 


The  Romans 
came  down 
with  Lucius  to 
meet  the 
Britons  on  the 
plains;  and 
Lucius,  who 
had  five  times 
the  number 
of  Arthur's 
men,  was  con- 
temptuous. 


Arthur  took 
ship  at  South- 
ampton, and 
left  his  traitor- 
ous cousin 
Mordred  as 
3000     regent. 


He  landed  at 
Harfleur  and 
marched  to 
meet  Lucius 
and  found  him 
at  Augusta. 


Never  before 
was  such  a 
large  army  seen 
as  that  of  the 
Romans. 


There  were 
many  Saracens 
with  the 
Romans,  and 
Geoffrey  says 
that  Arthur 
slew  five  of 
their  kings; 


3000.  Modred]  moordred  R. 

3003.  kept]  toke  H. 

3005.  worthi  lordis  of]  lordis  of  worthi  H. 

3006.  Barbeflu]  Barflue  J,  Harflue  P. 

301 1,  suich]  so  gret  R.       3013.    day]  playn  H. 

3014.  wer]  was  B,  J.       3017.   the]  om.  R. 

3019.  hem]  om.  H. 

3020.  gan]  did  B,  J. 


9o8       Arthur  defeats  the  Romans.    Mordred's  Treasoji     [bk.  viil 


and  the 
■laughter  was 
to  Krcat  that 
it  were  teJiouj 
to  describe  it. 


To  conclude, 
Lucius  was  slain 
and  the  proud 
Romans  were 
put  to  flight; 


2>°2,^ 


3036 


and,  like  a  king, 
Arthur  saw- 
that  his  dead 
f)rinccs  and 
ords  and 
knights  were 
buried. 


In  the  mean- 
while Mordred 
wanted  to  be 
king  in  Britain, 

and  persuaded 
the  people  to 
rebel  against 
Arthur, 


making  fair 
promises  and 
granting  great 
freedoms. 


But  when 
Arthur  heard 
of  this  false 
treason  he 


The  grete  slaulitre,  theffusioun  of  blood 

That  was  that  clay  vpon  outher  side, 

Ech  ageyn  othir  so  furious  was  &  wood, 

Lik  for  the  feeld  as  Fortune  list  prouide,  3028 

That  yiff  I  sholde  theron  longe  abide 

To  write  the  deth,  the  slauhtre  &  the  maneere, 

Touchyng  the  feeld  wer  tedious  for  to  heere. 

To  conclude  &  leue  the  surplusage, 
In  that  bataile  ded  was  many  a  kniht, 
The  consul  Lucyus  slay[e]n  in  that  rage, 
The  proude  Romeyns  be  force  put  to  fliht. 
Of  gentilesse  Arthoz/r  anon  riht 
Leet  the  bodi  of  Lucyus  be  caried 
Ageyn  to  Roome;  it  was  no  lenger  taried. 

The  worthi  princis  and  lordes  that  wer  dede, 

And  manli  knihtis  abidyng  with  Arthowr,  3040 

Lik  a  kyng  solempneli  took  heed 

That  thei  wer  buried  be  dilligent  labour. 

And  in  this  while,  lik  a  fals  tretour, 

His  cosyn  Modred  did  his  besi  peyne  3044 

To  take  fro  hym  the  kyngdam  of  Breteyne. 

So  as  the  stori  pleynli  maketh  mynde,         [p.  401] 

Modred  falsli,  to  his  auauwtage, 

Entreted  hem  that  wer  lefFt  behywde,  3048 

Vnder  coloj^r  of  fraudulent  langage, 

GafF  hem*  gret  fredam;   &  \ie\.  did  hym  homage, 

That  be  his  fals[e]  conspiraciouw 

Brouht  al  Breteyne  into  rebellioun.  3052 

Be  faire  behestis  &  many  freendli  signe 

Drouh  the  peeple  to  hym  in  sondri  wise, 

Shewed  hym  outward  goodli  &  benigne, 

Gaf  libertes  &  graunted  gret  frauwchise  3056 

To  make  Bretouws  ther  souereyw  lord  despise. 

And  purueyaunce  he  gan  ordeyne*  blyue 

To  keepe  the  portes,  he  shold[e]  nat  aryue. 

Whan  kyng  Arthour  hadde  knouleching  3060 

Of  this  fals  tresoun  and  al  the  purueiaunce 
That  Modred  made,  he,  lik  a  manli  kyng. 


3026.   That]   ther   H.       3034.   rage]  orage  {perhaps;  the  o  is 

mutilated  and  may  stand  for  another  incomplete  letter)  H. 
3040.   And]  a  H  —  knyht  H. 
3050.   hem]  hym  B.       3055.   hym]  om.  R. 
3058.   ordeyne]  make  B,  J.  3061.   this]  his  R. 


BK.  \iif\     Arthur  slays  Mordred  and  is  mortally  wounded         909 


Lefte  Burgoyne  &  al  the  lond  of  France, 
Cast  on  Modred  for  to  do  vengauwce; 
Took  the  se,  [&]  with  gret  apparaile 
Cast  at  Sandwich  to  make  his  arrivaile. 

Modred  was  reedi  with  knihtis  a  gr^t  nouwbr^, 

Made  a  strong  feeld  to  meete  hyw  on  the  pleyn,  3068 

In  purpos  fulH  Arthowr  to  encouwbre, 

At  which  aryuaile  slay[e]n  was  Gawayw, 

Cosyn  to  ArthoMr,  a  noble  kniht  certayw; 

Eek  Auwguisel  was  slay[e]n  on  the  stronde,  3072 

Kyng  of  Scottes,  or  he  myhte*  londe. 

Maugre  Modred  Arthowr  did  aryue, 

The  grouwd  recurid  lik  a  manh  kniht 

(For  feer  of  whom,  anon  aftir  blyue  3076 

The  seid[e]  Modred  took  hym  to  the  fliht), 

Toward  Londene  took  his  weie  riht, 

The  gatis  shet,  &  kept  was  the  cite 

Ageyn  Modred;  he  myhte  haue  non  entre.  3080 

In  al  haste  to  Cornewaile  he  fledde. 

The  suerd  of  Arthure  he  durste  nat  abide. 

List  he  shold[e]  leyn  his  lyfF  to  wedde; 

Yit  for  hymsilfF[e]  thus  he  gan  prouide,  3084 

With  multitude  gadrid  on  his  side 

Put  lyf  and  deth  that  day  in  auenture. 

That  day  to  deie  or  the  feeld  recure. 

In  Fortune  ther  may  be  no  certayn,  3088 

Vpon  whos  wheel  al  brotilnesse  is  fouwdid: 

Moodred  that  day  in  the  feeld  was  slayw 

And  noble  Arthour  to  the  deth  was  wouwdid. 

Be  which  the  feeld  of  Bretouns  was  confouwdid,  3092 

Of  so  gret  slauhtre  &  goode  knihtis  lorn 

Vpon  00*  day,  men  haue  nat  herde*  toforn. 

AiFtir  the  bataile  Arthowr  for  a  while 

To  stauMche  his  woundis  &  hurtis  to  recure,         3096 

Bor[n]  in  a  liteer  cam  into  an  He 

Callid  Aualouw;   and  ther  of  auewture. 

As  seid  Gaufrid  recordeth  be  scripture. 

How  kyng  Arthoiit,  flour  of  cheualrie,  3100 

Rit  with  his  knihtis  &  lyueth  in  Fairye. 

3067.   a]  &  R.       3070.   rivaile  H.       3073.   myhte]  cam  to  B. 

3081.    Cornwall  H.       3087.   feeld]  feel  R. 

3094.   00]  a  B  —  herde]  seyn  B,  seen  J.       3098.   Aualon  P. 


sailed  home 
and  landed  at 
3064     Sandwich, 


where  he  met 
Mordred. 
There  Gawain 
and  Anguisel, 
king  of  the 
Scots,  were 
slain. 


Arthur   landed 
in  spite  of 
Mordred,  and 
after  defeating 
him  went  to 
London  and 
shut  the  gates. 


Mordred  fled  to 
Cornwall  and 
collecting  a 
fresh  army 
fought  Arthur 
once  more. 


In  this  fight 
Mordred  was 
slain  and 
Arthur  mort- 
ally woundqd. 


After  the  battle 
Arthur  was 
borne  to  an 
isle  called 
Avalon,  where, 
as  Geoffrey 
records,  he  still 
rides  out  with 
his  knights  and 
lives  in  Fairy- 
land. 


910  Arthur  shall  reign  again  in  England  \j^Vi.  viil 

Thus  the  sun    Thus  of  Bretevnc  tianslatid  was  1)6  siinne 

of  Britain  was     ..  ,  .    ,  •    ■      -i         i 

translated  to     Vp  to  tlic  nclie  Stem  briht  dongoun,  — 

the  sky,  where     »     ^  111 

he  sits  crowned  Astroiioiiiccrcs  wccl  n'tierse  kun;/e,  —  3104 

ma,,'lion.The''''  Callid  Artluuis  constellacioii/;, 

5r,tl?L«^,.     Wher  he  sit  crownid  in  the  heuenlfy]  mansioun 
Aniyd  the  paleis  of  stonis  cristallyne, 
Told  among  Cristen  first  of  Jje  worthi  nyne.  3108 

Britons  still      This  crrouT  yit  abit  among  Bretouns,* 

Merlin's  proph-  Which  fou/idid  is  vpon  the  prophecie 

Arthur* shall      Of  olde  Merlyii,  hk  ther  oppynyouns: 

»^me  dfy"to      He  as  a  kyng  is  crownid  in  Fairie,  3112 

Uifd"  '"  ^"^     With  sceptre  and  suerd,  &  with  his  regalie 

Shal  resorte  as  lord  and  souereyne 

Out  of  Fairye  &  regne  in  Breteyne, 

At  any  And  tepaire  ageyn  the  Rounde  Table;  3116 

rate  his  epitaph  _,  ,         .      ?,      ,  ,         , 

says,  "Here  lies  Joe  prophecie  Merlyn  set  the  date, 
whcf  shall 'reign  Among[es]  pfincis  kyng  incow^parable, 
again.  p^j^  seetc  ageyn  to  Carlioun  translate.* 

The  Parchas  sustren  sponne  so  his  fate;  3120 

His  epitaphie  recordeth  so  certeyn: 

Heer  lith  kyng  Arthowr,  which  shal  regne  ageyn. 

Now  I  will  re-  Vnto  Bochaj"  I  wil  ageyn  retowrne, 

turn  to  Bochas,    .  ~,  ,  .  ,  i       r  i  • 

but  first  I'll      Aitorn  r<?hersid  parcel  or  his  prowesse,  3124 

write  a  lenvoy    /t-'i  .     i   •  i  i  • 

on  Mordred's     1  hcron  tabide  me  list  no  mor  soiowrne, 


treason. 


But  to  remembre  the  gret  vnkynd[e]nesse, 
The  conspiracioun,  \)e  tresoun,  the  falsnesse 
Doon  to  kyng  ArthoMr  be  his  cosyn  Modrede,      3128 
Make  a  Lenvoye,  that  al  men  may  it  reede. 

[Lenvoy.] 
This  tragedy  of  ^T~^HIS  tragedic  of  Arthowr  heer  folwywg    [p. 402] 

Arthur  bids  I  r>-  •        •         ii   i  r  r   i  ^     o      ir  -r       j 

princes  to  be-      JL      JbJit  priucis  all  bcwar  or  rals  tresoun; 

ware  of  treason. -i-*         •  i  i        •  -i  i   • 

Nothing  is        r  or  in  al  erthe  is  non  mor  p^'reilous  thing  3132 

more  perilous,    'pj^^j^  trust  of  feith,  whct  is  dccepcioun 

Hid  vndir  courtyn  of  fals  collusioun. 

For  which  men  sholde  —  I  holde  ])e  counsail  good  — 

Bewar  afForn  euere  of  vnkynde  blood.  3136 

3103.  briht]  om.  H.       3107.   the]  that  R. 

3109.  Bretouns]  Breteyws  B. 

3 1 18.  princis  kyng]  kyngis  prince  H,  R  3. 

3 119.  translate]  to  translate  B,  J.       3120.   sponne]  span  H. 
3127.  3rd  the]  &  H,  R  3.      3129.   it]  om.  R. 

3133.  Than]  That  H  —  of]  on  H.      3135.   men]  none  R. 


BK.  VIIl] 


An  Envoy  on  Arthur 


911 


The  world  [is]  dyuers,  Fortune  ay  chauwgyng, 

In  euery  contre  &  eueri  regiouw; 

At  a  streiht  neede  fewe  freendis  abidywg; 

Long  abscence  causeth  deuisioun:* 

And  yif  princis  be  fals  ambicioun,* 

Nih  of  allie,  shewe  too  facis  in  oon  hood, 

Lat  men  bewar  euere  of  vnkynde  blood. 

Who  was  mor  hardi  of  princis  heer  regnywg 

Or  mor  famous  of  marcial  renouw 

Than  whilom  was,  his  enmyes  outraieng, 

Arthur,  cheef  sonwe  of  Brutis  Albiouw  ? 

But,  for  al  that,  the  disposicioun 

Of  Fate  and  Fortune,  most  furious  &  wood. 

Caused  his  destrucciouw  be  vwkywde  blood. 

What  mor  contrarious  to  nature  m  shewing 
Than  fair  pretence,  double  of  entencioun, 
Gret  alliauwces  frowardli  werkyng? 
Hid  vndir  flours,  a  serpent  cast  poisouw, 
Briht  siluir  scaled,  damageth  the  dragouw; 
Ech  werm  sum  parti  tarageth  of  his  brood. 
And  what  mor  pereilous  than  vnkynde  blood  ? 

Noble  Princis,  on  ArthoMr  remembryng, 
Deemeth  the  day  of  Phebwj  goyng  doun: 
Al  is  nat  gold  that  is  cleer  shynyng, 
AfForn  prouided  in  yowr  inward  resoun, 
Fals  vndirmynyng  &  supplantacioun, 
Remembryng  ay  wztZ?  Arthowr  how  it  stood, 
Be  conspiracioun  of  vnkynde  blood. 


3140 


3144 


3148 


3152 


3156 


3160 


3164 


The  world  ia 
always  chang- 
ing.    At  a 
need  we  have 
few  stead- 
fast friends. 
Men  must  al- 
ways beware 
of  unkind  rela- 
tions. 


Who  was  more 
hardy  and 
famous  than 
Arthur?     Yet 
he  was  de- 
stroyed by 
unkind  blood! 


What  is  more 
evil  than  fair 
pretense,  like 
a  silver-scaled 
serpent  hidden 
under  flowers? 
What  more 
perilous  than 
unkind  blood? 


Noble  Princes, 
remember  the 
story  of  Arthur, 
and  do  not 
deem  the  day 
fair  until  the 
sun  has  set. 


^  An  exclamacion  a-geyn  men  t)at  been  vnkynde 
to  teirlqnirede.^ 

AGEYA'^*  kynreedis  &  vnkynde  alliaunces, 
Bochas  makth  heer  an  exclamacioun 
Vpon  Modred,  which  vfith  his  ordenaunces 
Caused  of  ArthoMr  fynal  destruccioun,  3168 

The  sunne  eclipsyng  of  Brutis*  Albioun, 


3137.  The]  This  R.         3138.    contre]  court  R. 

3139.  abidyn|:]fyndyngH.     3140.  deuisioun]discencioun  B,  R,  J. 

3141.  ambicioun]  deuisioun  R,  B,  J,  derision  R  3. 

3146.  Than  \)at  H.  3156.   brood]  bloode  H,  R  3. 

3165.  Ageyn]  Yeyre  B.  3169.    Brutis]  Brutus  B,  J,  P. 

f  1  The  following  heading  is  in  MS.  J.  leaf  165  verso:     "An  excla- 
macioun of  Bochas  ageyn  kynredys  vnkynde." 


Bochas  here 
exclaims  upon 
Mordred,  who 
caused  the 
destruction  of 
Arthur,  not- 
withstanding 
that  he  trusted 
him  above  all 
men. 


912 


An  Exclamation  against  unkind  Kindred     [j&vi.  viil 


It  is  ttrange 
and  hateful  to 
God  for  any 
man  to  be 
unkind  to  his 
kindred. 


Natwithstondyng,  pleynli  to  descryue, 
He  trusted  hym  abof  al  men  on  lyue. 

It  is  a  nierueile  &  vnkouth  to  deuise,  3172 

Be  what  occasion «  or  be  what  corage, 

That  a  ma;i  sliolde  in  any  manrr  wise 

Be  founde  vnkynde  vnto  his  lynage. 

Hatful  to  God,  that  in  any  age  3176 

Blood  ageyw  blood  born  of  o  kynreede 

Conspire  sholde  of  malis  or  hatreede. 

It  were  vain  to  In  this  matcer  it  wer  but  veyn  to  tarie, 

tarry  on  this       ~,,  .   ,  r    a       i  o     i\  /r      i        i 

matter.   The      1  he  stori  knowe  or  Arthoz/r  &  Modrede,  3180 

story  of  .Arthur  r>      i  i         i       n-      i     •  i 

and  Mordrcd     oe  blood  alucd,  in  wcrkyng  most  contrane, 
is  well  known,   '^yj^j^j^  ^^^^  ^^^^^  Bretoun  kniht  to  bleede; 

For  be  vsurping,  conspiryng  and  falsheede 

Of  seide  Modred,  most  infortunat,  3184 

Caused  al  Breteyne  to  stond[e]  desolat. 

First  desolat  be  absence  of  ther  kyng, 

Callid  in  his  tyme  of  kynges  most  notable, 

The  desolacioun  of  knihtis  abidyng,  3188 

Whilom  in  Breteyne  famous  &  honourable, 

Brethre  echon  of  the  Rouwde  Table, 

The  which  be  Moodred,  the  false  forswor  kniht, 

Stod  longe  eclipsed  &  dirked  of  his  lyht,  3192 

The  liht  of  noblesse  l^at  shon  thoruh  al  Breteyne 

Be  fals  Modred  was  dirkid  off  his  bemys; 

The  monarchie  departid  was  on  tweyne, 

That  stood  first  oon  with  his  marcial  stremys.      3196 

But  aftirward  the  brihtnesse  of  his  lemys 

Drouh  to  declyn  be  fals  deuisiouw, 

Which  hath  destroied  ful  many  a  regiouw. 

Al  this  processe  vpon*  duplicite  3200 

Pleynli  cowcludeth,  &  blood  that  is*  vnkynde. 

A-dieu  weelfare  and  al  prosp^rite, 

Wher*  pes  &  concord  been  IlefFt  behynde: 

Trees  may  nat  thryue  departid  fro  Jje  rynde,  —  3204 


All  Britain 
stood  desolate 
without  her 
king:  and  the 
light  of 
the  Round 
Table  was 
darkened  and 
eclipsed  by 
Mordred,  the 
forsworn 
knight. 

The  monarchy 
was  divided, 
that  once  stood 
whole,  and 
all  concluded 
ID  duplicity. 


Adieu  welfare 
and  prosperity 
where  there  is 
no  concord. 
Trees  cannot 
thrive  when 
separated  from 
their  bark. 


3171.  on]  of  R  —  on  lyue]  alive  H.       3172.    a]  om.  R. 

3173.  occasioun]  comparisoun  H.       3175-   vnto]  to  R. 

3185.  to]  om.  H.         3187.   his]  this  R.         3190.    Brethren  R. 

3 191.  1st  The]  om.  H,  R  3  —  forsworn  R,  J. 

3198.  declyn]  dirknesse  R.       3200.   vpon]  vpon  a  B,  R,  J,  H  5. 

3201.  blood  that  is]  that  is  blood  B,  J,  H  5,  that  is  blode  is  R, 

on  bloode  \)ax.  is  H. 

3203.  Wher]  Ther  B,  J. 


BK.  VIIl] 


Gelimer,  Amarales,  Sindbal 


913 


A  pleyw  exauwple  in  Arthure  &  Modrede, 
Who  ca«  conceyue,  &  list  ther  stori  reede. 

[Off  Gesevye  kyng  of  venandre  and  of  iij.  othre 
Iqmges  /  and  how  they  were  destroyed.^  ^ 

AFFTIR  al  these  vwkouth  straunge*  thiMgis,[p.403] 
Tofor  lohn  Bochas,  as  made  is  menciouw,    3208 
Ther  caw  toforn  hym  fyue  myhti  kinges 
For  to  cowpleyne  ther  desolacioun. 
First  Giseli[n]e,  kyng  off  the  regiouw 
Callid  Venandre,  in  werris  ful  contraire  3212 

Vnto  a  prince  callid  Balisaire. 

And  to  this  saide  noble  Balisaire, 

Ful  renwomed  that  tyme  in  cheualrie, 

The  kyng  of  Gothes  was  also  aduersaire;  3216 

And  bothe  attonis  of  hatrede  &  envie 

Assentid  fulli  to  hoolde  chaumpartie 

Geyn  Balisair,  which  thoruh  his  hih  renouw 

Took  hem  bothe  and  cast  hem  in  prisoun.  3220 

Ther  is  no  mor  of  them  in  Bochas  fouwde. 

But  aftir  them,  in  ordre  be  writywg, 

^  Cam  Amarales,  with  many  bloodi  wouwde, 

Which  in  his  tyme  was  of  Maures  kyng.  3224 

Withoute  cause  or  title  of  any  thyng 

Vpon  Ian  Sangwyn  gaw  werreye  ageyw  riht, 

Which  thoruh  al  AiFrik  was  oon  the  best[e]  kniht. 

The  saide  Ian,  armyd  in  plate  and  maile,  3228 

Mette  Amarales  in  AiFrik  on  a  sond. 

And  heeld  with  hym  a  myhti  stro^;g  bataile, 

And  lik  a  kniht  slouh  hym  with  his  bond, 

Droof  al  his  peeple  proudli  fro  \)at  lond.  3232 

And  in  my  book  ther  is  now  othir  mywde 

To  be  remembrid  of  hym  that  I  caw  fynde. 

^  Than  Syndual,  of  Brentois  lord  &  kyng, 

Tofor  Bochas  put  hymsilf  in  pres,  3236 

Gan  shewe  his  myscheef,  pitousli  pleynywg, 

3207.  straunge  vnkouth  B.  3211.  Gelymer  P. 

3212.  Vandalia  P.         3214.  And  to  this  saide  noble]  Vn  to  this 

noble  saide  H.  3219.   Geyn]  gey  H. 

3223.   Amarales]  Attila  P.  3226.    Ian]  lohn  H,  P. 

3228.   The]  This  H.         3229.   Amarales]  Attila  P. 
3232.    his]  that  R.  —  b'^t]  t)e  H.        3235.    Brentois]  Bretonys 

R,  Bretown  J,  Briteyns  H,  Brentoys  R  3,  Brentois  P. 
^  MS.  J.  leaf  165  verso. 


Among  five 
mighty  kings, 
Gelimer,  king 
of  the  Vandals, 
came  first  to 
complain  his 
desolation. 


Together  with 
the  king  of  the 
Goths  he  was 
an  enemy  of 
Belisarius, 


who  took  them 
both  captive 
and  put  them 
in  prison. 

Then  came 
Amarales,  king 
of  the  Moors, 
who  fought 
John  the 
Sanguinary 
without  cause 


and  was  slain; 
and  that  is  all 
I  can  find 
remembered 
about  him. 


Then  Sindbal 
theHerulian 
began  to 
describe  his 
misfortune. 


914  -^''"v?  Totila,  Turisund,  Alhoin,  Rosamond     [bk.  viii 

for  he  mnde  war  Whan  lic  hccld  wcrrc,  wllfiil  &  rek[e]les, 

on  N arte*,  a  .  n-  i   -nt 

Roman  knight.  Agcyn  a  princc  callicl  JNarsatcs, 

A  Romeyn  kniht,  fcrs,  hardi  &  rlht  strong  3240 

In  his  diffencc  \vha/i  men  wold  doon  \\ym  wrowg. 

who  was  an       This  Narsatcs,  of  cas  or  auenture, 

eunuch,  r,^,  i     i        ■        i         i  i*   i       'i 

and  caotureJ      1  hoiih  lic  in  ucede  vvas  a  manli  knint, 

hanged  him.      He  faillcd  iiiewbres  in  soth  of  cngendrurc.  3244 

His  aduersaires  he  put  echon  to  fliht, 

Took  ther  kyng,  &  foortwith  anon  riht, 

As  the  cronicle  pley/ili  doth  recorde, 

On  hih[e]  galwes  he  heng  hyw  with  a  corde.  3248 

Soon  afterward  Qf  Nafsctis  aftir  this  victorie, 

Ostrogoth  met    ^  Kyng  Totila  hadde  ful  gret  disdeyn; 

Narscs  with  a     -.-it-    i  i         ^  ^  •       L*        1       • 

great  army.       With  a  gret  host,  most  pompous  in  his  glone, 
t"!  defe^ed      Kam  upon  hym  &  mette  hym  on  a  pleyn,  3252 

and  slain.         With  multitude  thow  he  wer  ouerleyn, 
Kyng  Totila,  which  many  ma«  beheeld, 
Of  Narsates  was  slay[e]n  in  the  feeld. 

[Trusimond  kyng  of  Gepedois.]  ^ 

Turisund,  king  TN  ordre  nexte  Boch^j  doth  [so]  write,  3256 

requested'^'  ^'  X  Of  Gepidois  how  king  Trusimounde 

hi^'^adtcKity"  ^  Requered  hym  that  he  wolde  endite 

happy^fate""of    The  gretc  aduersites  in  which  he  did  habounde, 

RosfraMd?to    And  of  his  douhtir  callid  Rosymounde  3260 

whom  Fortune  'p^g  vnhappi  chaunce  to  marken  &  descryue, 

was  contrary  ^^  i   l  •      i 

all  her  life.       To  whow  1*  ortune  was  contrarye  al  hir  iyue. 

Aiboin,  king  of  Alboinvs  kyng  of  Lumbardie, 

Turisund  in      Which  many  lond  heeld  in  subieccioun,  3264 

afterwa^rds        Conqucred  Beeme,  Pragve  &  Hungrie, 

married  Rosa-    jj^^  j^^^j  of  Gepidois,  with  many  regioun, 

Fauht  with  ther  kyng,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 

Slouh  in  bataille  the  said[e]  Trusimounde,  3268 

Weddid  aftir  his  douhtir  Rosamounde. 

3238.  reklesses  R. 

3239.  ycalled  Narses  P  —  Narsates]  Narsarses  H. 
3242.   Narses  P,  Narsates  H. 

3249.  Narsates  H,  R,  J,  Narsetes  R  3,  Narses  P. 
3252.   on]  in  H,  R.  ,3256.   so]  om.  R,  J,  H  5. 

3257.   Trusimounde]  Eurismounde  H,  Ewrysmonde  R  3,  Trus- 

monde  J,  Turisounde  P. 
3263.   Albonius  or  Alboinus  B.       3266.   regioun]  dongoun  H. 
3268.   Eurismounde  H,  R  3,  Trusmond  J,  Turisounde  P. 
1  MS.  J.  leaf  165  verso,  in  margin. 


BK.  VIIl]] 


The  Story  of  ^ueen  Rosamond 


915 


Myn  auctowr  gretli  comendeth  hir  beute 

And  writ  also  she  was  but  yong  of  age, 

Whos  stori  first,  whan  I  dide  see  3272 

How  vngracious  was  also  hir  manage, 

I  gan  wexe  pale  in  my  visage, 

Gretli  astoned,  confus  of  verray  shame 

To  write  this  stori  in  hyndrywg  of  hir  name.         3276 

I  wil  forbern  and  breefli  passen  heere, 

The  surplusage  lihtli  ouerpasse; 

For  bi  and  bi  to  telle  al  the  maneere 

Of  fellonies  that  did  hir  herte  enbrace,  3280 

It  sholde  blotte  this  book  &  eek  difFace. 

For  which  I  caste  treuli  &  nat  faille 

Touching  hir  stori  to  make  rehersaille. 


(And  when  I 
first  read  her 
story  and  knew 
how  ungracious 
her  marriage 
was,  I  grew 
pale  and  con- 
fused at  the 
thought  of 
writing 
in  detraction 
of  her  name. 

So  I  will  for- 
bear and  pass 
over  the  rest 
lightly;    for  it 
would  blot  this 
book  to  tell 
the  manner  of 
all  her  sins.) 


[How  Albonyus  was  moordred  by  his  wif  /  and  how 
she  aftir  most  vicious  was  moordred  also.]  ^ 

KYNG  Alboinwj-,  as  ye  shal  vndirstonde,  3284 

Afftir  many  conquest  &  victorie. 
Which  he  hadde  [had]  both  on  se  &  londe, 
To  putte  his  name*  &  triuwphes  in  memorie, 
Leet  crie  a  feeste  to  his  encres  of  glorie;  3288 

At  which[e]  feeste,  solempne  &  princepall, 
So  as  he  sat  in  his  estat  roiall, 

Parcel  for  pride,  parcel  for  gladnesse,  [p.  404] 

The  queen  present,  the  said[e]  Rosamounde,         3292 
Take  and  supprised  he  was  with  dronk[e]nesse, 
Of  myhti  wynes  which  ^at  day  did  habounde. 
Sent  a  goblet  of  gold,  as  it  is  founde, 
Vnto  the  queen,  with  licottr  ful  plesaunt,  3296 

Bad  to  hir  fadir  [she]  sholde  drynke  a  taunt. 

She  dempte  it  was  a  maner  moquerie, 

First  hir  name  and  worshep  to  confounde, 

To  bidde  hir  drynke  a  taunt  for  hir  partie  3300 

To  hir  fadir,  the  said[e]  Trusymounde, 

Slay[e]n  afforn  with  many  bloodi  wounde 


After  his  vic- 
tories King 
Alboin  let  cry 
a.  feast  to  put 
his  triumph  ia 
memory, 


and  as  he  sat 
in  his  royal 
estate 

he  became 
drunk,  and 
bade  Queen 
Rosamond 
drink  a  taunt 
to  her  father. 


She  looked 
upon  it  as  an 
insult  to  drink 
to  her  father, 
whom  Alboin 
had  slain,  and 
determined  to 
be  revenged. 


3276.   this]  his  R  —  hir]  his  H. 

3284.  Albynus  H,  R  3,  Albonyus  R,  Albonius  or  Alboinus  B. 
3287.   names  B.       3288.   of]  and  R. 
3294.   which  ]>at  day]  \>at  day  which  H,  R  3. 
3301.   EurismouTtde  H,  Ewrismounde  R  3,  Trusmond  J,  Turi- 
sounde  P.  3302.   bloodi]  mortall  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  166  recto. 


9i6  The  Story  of  ^ueen  Rosamond  [bk.  viii 

Be  Albonius,  thoruh  his  vnliappl  chaunce,  — 

Of  which  rcbiik  she  cast  to  do  vengau??ce.  3304 

She  waited  •     She  bat  thc  ranco;/r  ful  lonp;  in  hir  ente?2t, 
•tUst  per-       Which  day  be  day  K^'""  rcnewe  &  encrece. 

tuaded  a  squire    •  •        '     •  i  r  i  ■ 

named  Percdeo  A  ccttey/i  squiccr  slic  made  or  nir  assent, 

lordT"   "   "   Which  taco;?;phsshe  she  wolde  neu^r  cese.  3308 

An(\  on  another  squieer  she  ga??  prese, 

CaUid  Peredeus,  accorded  al  in  oon, 

This  false  moordre  texecute  anon. 

which  he  did.    The  day  was  set;  whil  he  lay  &  sleepif  3312 

although  Alboin  „.,,  -'      ,  •    ,      i  i-  i 

defended  him-    fill  upon  liym  With  sliatp  suerdis  grounde: 
with  a  broken    Hir  lord  was  slayn,  alas,  he  took  no*  keep^! 
spear.  q^  j^^  dcidc  of  Fortunc  he  hath  founde 

A  speris  hed[e]  to  a  tronchoun  bounde,  3316 

Hymsilf  defendyng  in  that  mortal  strifF; 
But  slayn  he  was  be  tresoun  of  his  wifF. 

After  the  ^  Aftit  this  mootdrc  tescape  fro  daungeer, 

murder  Rosa-      t^,  •      r>  i      n      i  i  •   i  -i 

mend  tooic  all    1  his  Kosamou?zde  rledde  awei  be  niht.  3320 

Alboin's  treasure  TTT  .    ii-  riik/rii-i- 

and  fled  with     VVit^  hit  went[ej  Melchis  hir  squieer; 

squire!  to   "    Took  a  ship,  Sailed  be  sterre-liht, 

Ravenna.         j^  Rauennc  thei  took  the  weie  riht. 

Lad  with  hem  for  refut  &  socowr  3324 

Of  kyng  Alboyne  al  the  hool  tresowr. 

She  then  Aftit  shc  was  [Ilweddid  to  Melchis, 

marned  Hil-        -^  r     i  •  i  ir   i  i  •       i   • 

michis,  but       Man  or  this  world[eJ  stood  most  in  hir  grace. 

him,  — for  her  Hir  louc  appalHd,  set  of  him  no  pris;  3328 

promisoiou's!—  For  shc  nat  koude  be  content  in  o  place. 

Hir  ioie  was  euere  newe  thing  to  p?<rchace, 

Tassaie  manye,  plesid  newer  with  oon. 

Til  bexperience  she  preuid  hadde  echon.  3332 

had  an  affair     Prouost  of  Rauenne  &  cheef  eouernour, 

with  the 

Provost  of        For  thexcellence  of  hir  gret  beute 
HUmichis  she    Aboue  al  w^omen  loued  hir  paramour, 
mufdeV°         Whan  she  entred  first  in  that  cite.  3336 

And  thoruh  hir  fraude  and  duplicite 

3303.  Albonoys  R. 

3304.  to]  om.  H. 

33 12.  whil]  whan  H. 

3314.  he]  or  he  H  —  no]  om.  H,  non  B,  R. 

3321.  Melchis]  Helmiges  P  —  hir]  his  H. 

3325.  kyng  Alboyne]  Albonyus  J,  Alboinus  P. 

3326.  wedded  to  Helmiges  P.       3329.   o]  no  H. 
3331.  manye]  om.  H  —  neuer  wzt^]  wit^  nevir  H. 


BK.  VIIl] 


The  Death  of  ^ueen  Rosamond 


917 


3340 


3344 


She  caste  moordre  in  hir  froward  auys 

Hir  newe  husbonde  that  callid  was  Melchis. 

The  hote  somer  in  lusti  fressh[e]  May, 
The  same  Melchis  for  heete  &  weerynesse 
Hymsilff  to  bathe  wente  a  certeyn  day, 
Kauht  a  gret  thrust  of*  feyntise  in  sothnesse. 
And  Rosamouwde,  of  infernal  falsnesse, 
Took  a  goblet,  wftZ?  licoMr  gret  foisouw, 
Gaf  hym  drynke  wyn  medlid  with  poisouw. 

He  drank  up  half,  &  therwithal  he  gaw 

Brest  and  beli  to  suelle  &  arise,  3348 

Intoxicat,  wex  dedli  pale  &  wan; 

And  whan  he  dide  hir  tresouw  aduertise. 

He  made  hir  drynke  in  the  same  wise, 

Maugre  hir  wil,  she  myht  it  nat  r^streyne,  —       3352 

Guerdouw  for  moordre,  —  thei  deide  bothe  tweyne. 

In  this  chapitle  but  litil  frut  I  fynde, 

Sauf  onli  this,  to  putte  in  remewbrauwce, 

That  men  sholde  calle  ageyw  to  mywde,  3356 

Moordre  afFor  God  requereth  ay  vengauwce. 

This  funeral  stori  weied  in  ballaunce, 

Wrouht  be  Melchis,  compassid  first  &  fouwde 

Be  fals  tresoun  of  cursid  Rosamouwde.  3360 

Slouh  first  hir  lord  Albonivs,  as  I  seide, 

Tueyne  of  hir  squieres  did  execusioun, 

Out  of  his  slep^  whan  he  did  abraide. 

Lat  couMtirpeise  what  was  ther  guerdoun:  3364 

Ech  moordrid  othir  be  drynkyng  of  poisouw.; 

Melchis  drank  first,  &  next  drank  Rosamouwde; 

At  them  it  gaw;  to  them  it  did  rebouwde. 

Countirpeised  o  moordre  for  another:  3368 

Albonivs  slayw  be  Rosamouwde  his  wifF 
Bassent  of  Melchis,  &  aftir  ech  to  other 
The  poisouw  partid;  ther  gan  a  fatal  strifF. 
Moordre  quit  for  moordre,  thei  bothe  lost  her  lyflF.  3372 
Who  vseth  falsnesse,  ful  weel  afFerme  I  dar, 
Shal  with  falsnesse  be  quit  or  he  be  war. 


One  hot  day 
when  he  was 
thirsty  after 
bathing,  she 
gave  him  a 
goblet  of 
poisoned  wine. 


After  he  had 
drunk  up  half, 
his  body  began 
to  swell  and 
he  grew  deadly 
pale,  and, 
suspecting 
treason,  com- 
pelled her  to 
drink  the  rest. 
They  both  died. 


I  find  little 
profit  in  this 
chapter,  except 
that  it  reminds 
us  that  murder 
always  cries 
vengeance 
before  God. 


Rosamond  slew 
Alboin,  and 
afterwards  she 
and  Hilmichis 
killed  one 
another. 


Both  lost  their 
lives;    treason 
punished  by 
treason; 
murder  for 
murder. 


3339.   newe  is  repeated  in  H.       3341.   Helmiges  P 

3343.   of]  on  B. 

3352.   it]  hir  R.       3359.   Helmiges  P. 

3361,  69.   Alboiniis  P.       3364.   ther]  hir  H. 

3366.   2nd  drank]  om.  H. 


9i8  The  End  of  the  Eighth  Book  [bk.  viii 

As  mtn  Rive,     As  thci  departed,  siiich  part  ageyn  l)ei  took;     [p.  405] 
receive:  and  as  As  iiieii  dissetuc,  suicli  slial  be  ther  mcede.  3376 

•uc^  sha'rbc     This  froward  story,  eendc  of  tlie  Eihte  Book, 
their  reward.     Qj-  RosamoiwKlc  &  Melclils  wtought  ill  dcedc, 
For  short  conclusioun  biddith  men  take  heede, 
Thei  shal  resceyue  ageynvvard  *  suich  mesowr 
As  thei  mesure  vnto  ther  neih[e]boi<r.  3381 

3378.    HelmiRCS  P. 

3380.   resceyue  ageynward]  ageynward  resceyue  B,  P. 


f  Finis  libri  octaui. 
^  Incipit  IXus  liber  Bochasii. 


BOOK  IX. 


[How  the  Emperoure  Mauryc3rus  his  wif  and  his 
childre  wer  slayne  atte  Calcedonye]  ^ 

O  Franceis  Petrak  as  Boch^j  vwd^ftook,[p.407] 


T 


In  eschewing  of  slouthe  &  idilnesse, 


12 


i6 


As  he  began  taccomplissh*  up  his  book, 
Assuraunce  maad  to  doon  his  besynesse; 
Which  thing  remewbrid  gan  his  penne  dresse,* 
The  Nyhnte  Book,  so  God  wold  send  hyw  grace, 
It  to  parfotirme  yif  he  had  lyff  &  space. 

At  the  gynnyng  sothli  of  his  labour, 

In  his  studie  to  hym  ther  did  appeere 

Mauricivs,  the  mihti  emperowr, 

Which  gan  compleyne,  rehersing  the  maneere 

How  he  bi  Phocas,  cruel  of  look  &  cheere, 

Destroied  was  —  wifF,  childre  &  kynreede  — 

The  slauhtre  kouth,  who  list  ther  stori  reede. 

The  said[e]  Maurice,  as  writ  Bochas  lohn, 
Was  be  Phocas  brouht  to  destruccioun. 
His  wifF,  his  childre  slay[e]n  euerichon 
At  Calcedoyne,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 
Aftir  whos  deth  he  took  pocessioun. 
The  said[e]  Phocas,  as  put  is  in  memorie,  — 
Gaf  Panteoun  onto  Seynt  Gregorie, 

Which  was  a  temple  of  old  fundacioun, 
Ful  of  idoles  upset  on  hih[e]  stages. 
Ther  thoruh  the  world  of  eueri  nacioun 
Wer  of  ther  goddis  set  up  gret  images, 
To  eueri  kyngdam  direct  wer  ther  visages. 
As  poetis  &  Fulgence  be  his  lyue 
In  bookis  olde  pleynli  doth  descryue. 

Eueri  image  hadde  in  his  hand  a  belle, 
As  appartened  to  euery  nacioun. 
Which  be  crafft  sum  tokne  sholde  telle 

3.   taccomplissh]  accomplisshed  B,  R. 

5.   is  misplaced  at  end  of  stanza  B. 

18.   Calcedoyne]  Macedoyn  H,  R  3.       21.   Pantheon  P. 
29.   his]  om.  H.  30.   appartened]  app^rtenyth  H,  p^rtey- 

neth  J,  P  —  naciou«]  Regioun  H. 

*  MS.  J.  leaf  166  verso. 
919 


As  Bochas  had 
promised 
Francis  Pe- 
trarch to  do 
his  best,  he 
now  made 
ready  his  pea 
to  finish  his 
Ninth  Book. 


And  as  he 
began,  the 
mighty  Em- 
peror Maurice 
came,  com- 
plaining how 
he  and  his 
family  had 
been  murdered 
by  Phocas 


in  Chalcedon. 


20 


The  same 
Phocas  gave 
Saint  Gregory 
the  Pantheon, 

an  old  temple 
full  of  the 
idols  of  all 
nations. 


24 


28 


Each  Image 
had  a  bell  in 
its  hand,  that 
rang  when  the 


Q20  The  Emperor  Maurice.     Muhammad  [bk.  ix 

kingdom  to       Wha«  any  kyngdam  fill  in  rebellioun  32 

w^'lciMn     Or  g:\n  nialisne  agey?/[es]  Roome  toun; 
^voit  against    g^.j^j^  ^^  redresse  with  strong  &:  niihti  \\on<\ 

Sent  a  prince  to  chastise  al  that  lond. 
The  said  temple  The  saidc  tcniplc  bilt  of  lyni  &  ston,  36 

was  turned   into  ,-,  it        •  r  -k     i  l   •  "  C 

a  Christian        Popc  Donitace*,  bookis  specehe, 

Brface.-' ''""'  Wher  it  was  first  callid  Pantheon, 
Set  up  crossis  upon  ech  partie, 

Halwid  it  to  martirs  &  Marie,  —  40 

Yeer  be  yeer[e]  gyn»yng  off  Nouembre 
The  feeste  holde,  the  martiloge  doth  remembr<f. 

The  Emperor  In  Asic  this  empcro/^r  Maurice  was  slayn, 

siatn'i" Asia  In  the  citc  that  callid  is  Calcidonye,*  44 

Chaicyon:a°nd  Al  his  houshold  and  many  good  Romayn 

«^.^?PhocaT  Bi  Phocas  and  Perciens,  as  had  is  in  memorie. 

de\\rby°  ^^^  Phocas  afftir,  for  al  his  veynglorie, 

Heraciius.  Slayn  be  Eraclivs,  thouh  he*  was  emperowr  48 

Foure  and  twenti*  wyntir  and  cheef  gouernoJ^r. 

[Off  Machomet  the  fals  prophete  and  how  he  beyng 
dronke  was  deuoured  among  swyn.]  ^ 

After  the  death     A   FFTIR  the  dcth  of  Phocas,  as  I  tolde, 

Muhammad  ap- 1\.  That  EracHus  to  regne  first  began, 

Ta'sf  fals"'      Cam  Machomeet,  m  his  tyme  Iholde  52 

^"g'idantorn  A  fals  prophcte  and  a  magicien, 

of  low  kindred   ^    bookis  oldc  weel  reherse  can. 

in  Arabia,  and  .         »        .   •       i  r  i  i  J 

an  idolater  all    Bom  in  Arabia  but  ot  low  kynreede, 

Al  his  lyue  an  idolastre  in  deede.  S6 

When  he  grew  And  whaw  that  he  greuh  to  gretter  age, 

?he"rst  to"use  Deccyuable  in  many  sondri  wises, 

ca"bge!"nd     With  chamdis  vsid  fitst  catiage: 

St^and'°     Wente  to  Egipt  [to]  fette  marchaundises,*  60 

studied  the       YAs  and  double,  sotil  in  his  deuises; 

Dible.  .  . 

To  lewes  &  Cnstene  sondry  tymes  sent, 
Lerned  the  Olde  a[nd]  Newe  Testament. 

37.  Pope]  blotted  and  erased  B,  J  —  Bonifas  B  —  bookis]  as 

bookis  J,  as  bokes  P.  ■^  ■       -o 

44.  callid  is]  is  callid  H  —  Calcidonye]  Calcidoine  B. 

48.  he]  who  P  —  thouh  he]  he  than  B.      49.   xxnijti  B. 

56.  j'dolatre  R,  H,  R  3.  ,•    r>    u    t> 

57.  that]  om.  H  —  gretter]  gret  H.       59-   camehs  R,  H,  R  3. 
60.  to]  om.  H,  R  3,  P,  H  5.       60  and  61  are  transposed  in  B. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  167  recto. 


BK.  1X3 


Muhammad,  the  false  Prophet 


As  bookis  olde  recorde*  in  that  partie, 
This  Machomeet,  this  cursid  fals[e]  ma?z, 
Out  of  Egipt  faste  gaw  hyw  hie 
Toward  a  centre  callid  Corozan, 
With  a  ladi  that  hihte  Cardigan,  — 
Thoruh  his  sotil  fals[e]  daliauwce 
Be  crafFt  he  fill  into  hir  aqueyntaunce. 

He  wrouhte  [so]  be  his  enchauwtementis 

And  be  fals  menis  off  nigromauwcie, 

Hir  enclynyng  toward  his  ententis; 

For  bothe  he  koude  riht  weel  flatre*  &  lie. 

Saide  openli  that  he  was  Messie, 

lewes  abidyng  vpon  his  comyng, 

As  grettest  prophete  and  ther  souereyw  ky«g. 

Thus  the  peeple  he  brouht  in  gret  tixoux 

Bi  his  techiwg  &  his  fals  doctryne; 

He  wex  among  hem  a  gret  gou^rnoMr. 

The  saide  ladi  he  dede  also  enclyne, 

As  to  a  prophete  which  that  was  deuyne 

Sent  from  aboue,  as  she  did  vndirstonde; 

For  which  she  took  hym  vnto  hir  husbonde. 


64 


68 


72 


921 

This  cursed 
man  then  went 
to  Khorasan 
with  a  lady 
named 
Khadija, 
who  was 
attracted  by 
his  false 
subtle  talk 


and  fooled  by 
his  necroman- 
cy; for  he  was 
an  accom- 
plished flat- 
terer and  liar. 


76 


80 


He  openly  said 
he  was 
Messiah, 
and  became  a 
great  prophet 
among  the 
people;  and  for 
that  reason  the 
lady  married 
him. 


84 
[p.  408] 


88 


His  lynage  [be]gan  at  Hismael; 

Hadde  a  siknesse,  fil*  ofte  sithes  doun, 

In  his  excus[e]  seide  that  Gabriel 

Was  sent  to  hym  from  the  heuenli  mansiouw 

Be  the  Hooli  Goost  to  his  instrucciouw: 

For  the  auwgel  shewed  hym*  so  sheene, 

To  stonde  upriht  he  myhte  nat  susteene. 

On  his  shuldre[s]  wer  ofte  tymes  sey«, 
Whan  he  to  folk[is]  shewed  his  presence, 
Milk  whit  dowes,  which  that  piked  greyw 
Out  of  hiseris;  afFermywg  in  sentence 
Thei  caw  be  grace  of  goostli  influence 
Hym  to  visite,  to  shewe  &  specefie 
He  was  the  prophete  that  callid  was  Messie. 

Newe  lawes  he  did  also  ordeyne. 

Shewed  signes  be  fals  apparence; 

Lik  Moises,  hymsilf  he  did[e]  feyne 

64.  recorder!  B.       67.   Coriozan  P.       68.   Cardican  P. 

74.  riht  weel  flatre]  flatre  weel  B,  J.       79.    &    and  bi  R. 

82.  a]  om.  H.  86.   fil]  ful  B.  90.   hym]  hymsilf  B. 

92.  shuldris  R,  R  3,  H  5,  shuldirs  H,  shuldre  J,  P. 

93.  folkis]  folk  R,  H  5,  folke  P.       loi.   feyne]  fyne  H. 


92 


96 


100 


He  was  an 
Ishmaelite 
and  an 
epileptic,  and 
excused  his 
fits  by  saying, 
"I  must 
always  fall 
down  when 
the  Angel 
Gabriel  comes 
to  instruct 


Milk-white 
doves  sat  on 
his  shoulders, 
by  spiritual 
influence,  he 
claimed;  but  it 
was  only  to 
pick  grain  he 
had  put  in  his 


He  made  new 
laws  and 
feigned  to  be 
a  prophet  like 
Moses;  and  as 


922 


The  evil  Deeds  of  Muhammad 


[bk.  IX 


an  evidence  of 
bit  poweri  lie 
hung  pots  of 
milk  and  honey 
on  the  horns 
of  a  great  bull, 


•ymbolizinK  the 
plenty  which 
was  to  come 
from  his 
spiritual 
working. 


He  soon 
converted  the 
Saracens,  and 
his  clerk 
Sergius  wrote 
down  his  laws 
and  miracles. 


A  prophete  of  most  excellence. 

And  therupon  to  shcwe  an  euidence, 

Smale  pottis  wit/'  milk  &:  hony  born,  104 

Of  a  gret  bole  wer  hangid  on  ech  horn. 

Made  the  peeple  yuie  crediilitc 

To  his  doctryne  and  [his]  froward  techi^ig: 

Be  mylk  &  hony  figurid  was  plente,  ipS 

Be  the  merit*  of  his  gostli  werking. 

And  thus  he  was  at  his  begyn«yng 

Take  of  Sarsyns,  as  thei  ga?i  to  [hyni]  drawe, 

Which  hi  fals  errowr  bond  hem  to  his  lawe.  112 

A  clerk  of  his,  callid  Sergius, 

Wrot  his  lawes  &  thes  myracles  thre: 

First  of  the  dowes,  how  the!  cam  to  hym  thus, 

As  heer-toforn  rehersid  was  by  me,  116 

How  milk  &  hony  wer  tokne[s]  of  gr^t  plente, 

And  of  the  bole,  afForn  be  crafFt  maad  tame, 

Bi  fals  deceitis  to  getyn  hym  a  name. 

He  was  made    Of  Atabicns  &  Sarsyns,  as  I  reede,  120 

a  prince  of  the     ,       ,       r  t-.       i  ■  i         •  o 

Arabs  and        And  of  1  urkis  maad  pnnce  &  gou^rnowr, 
Siecting"an     With  Hismaclites  &  folk  of  Perse  &  Mede 
on^HeScUus^^He  gadred  peeple,  gaw  wexe  a  werreioi^r, 
\"iandria'^'^     Agcyn  HcracHus,  the  mihti  empero^r,  124 

And  vsurped  to  ride  in  tho  cuntres, 

Gat  Alisaundre  with  many  mo  cites. 

Of  tho  parties  desirous  to  be  kyng, 

Of  that  purpos  whan  he  was  set  aside,  128 

To  the  peeple  falsli  dissymulyng, 

Told  he  was  sent  prophetis  to  prouide 

For  tho  contrees,  for  to  been  ther  guide. 

And  for  he  was  lecherous  of  corage,  132 

He  made  of  Venvs  sette  up  an  image. 

Made  Sarsyns  to  worshep  the  Friday, 

Semblabli  his  stori  doth  expresse, 

So  as  lewes  halwe  the  Satirday,  —  136 

Al  his  werkis  concludywg  on  falsnesse. 

Whan  he  drank  wyn  [he]  fill  in  dronk[e]nesse; 

Bad  the  peple,  lik  a  fals  propheete, 

Drynk[e]  watir,  &  good  wyn  to  lete.  140 


Failing  to 
become  king, 
he  said  that 
he  was  sent 
to  provide 
prophets  to 
guide  the 
people;  and,  as 
he  was 
lecherous  of 
heart,  he  set 
up  an  image  of 
Venus. 

He  made  the 
Saracens  wor- 
ship on  Friday, 
just  as  the 
Jews  do  on 
Saturday,  and 
told  the  people 
to  drink  water, 
although  he  got 
drunk  himself 
on  good  wine. 


109.   merit]  meriht  B. 
III.   hym]  om.  R,  H  5  — 
114.   thes]  his  H.       129. 


Sarazyns  J. 

dissymulyng]  dissemblyng  R. 


BK.  IX] 


The  End  of  Muhammad.     Brunhilde 


923 


As  I  seide,  the  heretik  Sergivs, 

Wtt^  hym  of  counsail  froward  &  contrarie, 

Foon  to  our  feith,  he  and  Nostorivs, 

From  hooli  chirch[e]  gretli  thei  gan  varie.  144 

On  whos  errowrs  Bochas  Hst  nat  tarie 

Mor  to  write[n]  of  this  Machomeete, 

A  nigromawcien  &  a  fals  prophete. 

Who  list  to  seen  his  lawes  euerichon  148 

Youe  to  Sarsyns,  his  book  can  ber  witnesse, 

As  thei  be  set  in  his  Alkerouw, 

Echon  in  ordre  groundid  on  falsnesse. 

Lik  a  glotoun  deied  in  dronk[e]nesse,  152 

Bi  excesse  of  mykil  drywkyng  wyn, 

Fill  in  a  podel,  deuoured  amowg  swyn. 

This  was  the  eende  of  fals[e]  Machomeete, 

For  al  his  crafFtis  of  nigromancie,  156 

The  funeral  fyn  of  this  seudo  prophete, 

Dronklew  of  kynde,  callid  hymsilf  Messie, 

Whom  Sarsyns  so  gretli  magnefie. 

lohn  Bochaj-  let  be  for  a  queen  of  Fraunce,  160 

Mor  of  his  erroMrs  to  putte  in  remewbraunce. 


Bochas  did 
not  care  to 
dwell  on  his 
errors  or  on 
those  of  the 
Nestorians;but 
all  his  false 
laws  are  to  be 
seen  in  the 
Koran. 


Finally, 
when  drunk, 
he  fell  in  a 
puddle  and  was 
devoured  by 
hogs. 


That  was  his 
end,  for  all  his 
magic.     John 
Bochas  then 
turned  to 
Brunhilde,  a 
queen  of 
France, 


pEow  Brounchild  /  queene  of  Fraunce  slouh  hir  kyn  / 
brought  the  londe  in  diuisioun,  and  aftir  was 
honged  /  and  hewen  in  pecys  smale.]  ^ 

SHE  cam  arraied  nothing  lik  a  queen, 
Hir  her  vntressid;  Bochas  took  good  heed, 
In  al  his  book  he  had  afForn  nat  seen  164 

A  mor  woful  creature  in  deede. 
Wit^  weeping  eyen,  totorn[e]  was  hir  weede, 
Rebuking  Bochas,  he  had  lefFt  behynde 
Hir  wrechidnesse  for  to  putte  in  mynde.  168 

Vnto  myn  auctowr  she  sodenli  abraide,        [p.  409] 

Lik  a  woman  that  wer  with  wo  chekmaat. 

First  of  alle  thus  to  hym  she  saide: 

"Sumtyme  I  was  a  queen  of  gret  estat  172 

Crownid  in  Fraunce;  but  now  al  desolat 


who  came  to 
him  with  dis- 
hevelled hair 
and  torn 
garments  and 
weeping  eyes. 


She  said: 
"Once  I  was  a 
great  queen; 
but  now  I  am 
desolate  and 
almost 
ashamed 
to  tell  my  woe. 


144.   thei]  om.  H.       157.   pseudo  H. 

160.   a  queen  of  Fraunce]  it  did  hym  grevau«ce  H. 

162-532  are  omitted  in  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  167  verso. 


924  Bochius  Dispute  with  Brunhilde  [jrk.  ix 

I  stonde  in  soth.  Bruwnechiltl[e]  was  my  name, 
Which  to  reherse  I  haue  a  man^r  shame. 

"You  wrote  all  Thou  wcF  besi  to  wfite  the  woful  caas  176 

about  Arsinoe      ,,t.i  i-t         irrA 

and  Oeopatra    \\  ithv^ne  thi  booK  ott  Afsynoe, 

and  Rosamond,    i-^-         "  •         ^  f^\ 

and  it  Bccms      Dist  seruisc  to  qiiccH  LIcopatras, 
^t^ten'me!"'"    Of  RosyiiiouMtle  thou  wiit  also  parde; 

And  among  alio  thou  hast  forgete  me,  180 

Wherbi  it  seemeth  thou  dost  at  me  disdeyne,  — 
List  no  parcel  to  writen  of  my  peyne," 

When  Bochis  Whan  Bochas  herd,  of  cheer  he  wex  riht  sad, 

was  em-  Knowyng  nothing  of  that  she  ded  endure.  184 

harassed,  for  ..  j.^^.j^  "  ^^j^j  1^^^  "affom  I  hauc  nat  rad 

nothing^^bout^^  In  no  cronicle  nor  in  no  scripture 

nevcr^read  O  f  y o  /<  r  \vo  f u  1  f r ow  a  r d  a  u  e  n  t  u  r e . " 

"HI  'a°T"o  ^  "No?"  quod  she,  "I  pray  you  tak  good  heede,  i88 

you  then."  So  as  thei  fille  I  wil  reherse  in  deede." 

"You  women,"  Bochas  with  Brunncchildc  gan  debate  anon: 
"never°^tciT'      "  SothH,"  quod  he,  "this  the  condiciouw 
you^  o"vn^°      Of  you  wommcn  almost  eucrichon ;  192 

discredit.  Ye  haue  this  maner,  withoute  excepcioun, 

Of  your  natural  inclynaciouw, 
Of  your  declaryng  this  obseruaunce  to  keepe: 
Nothyng  to  seyn  contrarye  to  yo^r  worshepe.        196 

"Nature  teaches  Nature  hath  tauht  you  al  that  is  wrong  texcuse, 

you  to  hide         x  7      i  •  11  r  1   "  J 

all  your  faults    Vndir  z  courtyn  al  thyng  tor  to  hide; 

most^°nn'?cent    W^t^  Htil  gtcyn  your  chaff  ye  can  abuse; 

bet^most^'"'  On  your  difFautis  ye  list  nat  for  to  bide:  200 

wicked.  'pj^g  g^ijg  touchid,  al  that  ye  set  aside; 

Shewe  rosis  fresshe;  weedis  ye  leet  passe. 
And  fairest  cheer[e]  wher  ye  most  trespace. 

"And  if  you     And  yifF  ye  shal  telle  yowr  owne  tale,  204 

your  tto^^yoxx  How  ye  be  fall[e]  fro  Fortunis  wheel, 
HttieMVur'^  Ye  will  vnclose  but  a  litil  male, 
I'Si  wouiT'^  Shewe  of  yowr  vices  but  a  smal  parcel: 
believe  you."     'Q^qxW  glas  shcwcth  brihtct  than  doth  steel;  208 

And  thouh  of  vertu  ye  shewe  a  fair  pretence, 
He  is  a  fool  that  yiueth  to  you  credence." 

174.  Brunchildis  R,  Brounchilde  J,  Brunklldys  R  3,  Brunchildys 

H  5,  Brunichilde  P. 
180.   forgotyn  R,  forgoten  J.       188.   you]  the  R. 
200.   On]  Onto  R  —  fortabide  R. 
203.   fairest]  faireth  R. 


BK.  1X3 


Brunhilde  tells  her  Story 


925 


^  Quo[d]  Bru7inechild,  "I  do  riht  weel  espie 

Thou  hast  of  wommen  a  fals  oppynyoun,  212 

How  that  thei  can  flatre  weel  &  lie 

And  been  dyuers  of  disposiciouw;  — 

Thou  myhtest  haue  maad  an  excepcioun 

Of  hih  estatis  &  them  that  gentil  been,  216 

Namli  of  me,  that  was  so  gret  a  queen." 

^  "Your  hih  estat  boff  Kynde  hath  no  poweer 

To  chauwge  in  nature  nouther  cold  nor  heete: 

But  let  vs  passe  and  leue  this  mateer,  220 

Theron  tabide  or  any  mor  to  plete; 

Of  yoi/r  compleynt  seith  to  me  the  grete. 

Be  weie  of  seruise  to  you  I  shal  me  quite, 

As  ye  declare  take  my  penwe  &  write."  224 

^  "Tak  heed,"  quod  she,  "&  with  riht  good  auis 

Fro  the  trouthe  bewar  that  thou  nat  varie! 

Whilom  in  France  regnid  kyng  Clowis, 

Hadde  a  sone  that  namyd  was  Clotarye,  228 

Clothair  an  heir  which  callid  was  Lotarie; 

And  this  Lotarie,  namyd  the  secouwde, 

Hadde  sonis  foure,  in  stori  it  is  founde. 

To  the  cronicle  who  caw  taken  heed,  232 

As  it  is  Iput  in  remembrauwce, 

Whan  ther  fadir,  the  myhti  kyng,  was  ded, 

Atween  thes  foure  partid  was  al  France, 

Ech  be  hymsilfF[e]  to  haue  gou-frnaunce,  236 

Be  oon  assent,  as  brothir  onto  brothir, 

Weryng  her  crownis,  ech  quit  hem  onto  othir. 

The  same  tyme,  I,  callid  Brunnechild,  — 

Me  list  nat  varie  fro  the  old  writyng,  —  240 

Hadde  a  fadir  namyd  Leuychild, 

Of  al  Spayne  souereyn  lord  and  kyng. 

My  saide  fathir,  to  ful  gret  hyndryng 

Of  bothe  rewmys  (the  fame  ronne  ful*  ferre),         244 

Tween  Spaigne  &  Fraunce  gan  a  mortal  werre. 

The  brethre  foure,  in  Fraunce  crownid  kynges, 

Ageyn  my  fadir  made  strong  difFence, 

Of  marcial  pride  &  fortunat  chaungyngis,  248 


Said  Brunhilde, 
"I  see  you 
have  a  false 
opinion  of 
women;    but 
you  might  have 
made  an 
exception  of 
me.    I  was  a 
great  queen." 


"Your  high 
estate  cannot 
alter  your 
nature," 
answered 
Bochas;    "but 
I'll   not  argue. 
Tell  me  your 
complaint  and 
I  will  write 
it  down." 


"Be  sure  you 
write  the 
truth,"  said 
she.  "Once 
there  was  a 
king  in  France 
named  Clovis, 


and  the 
kingdom  was 
divided 
amongst 
his  four  great- 
grandchildren. 


"I  was  the 
daughter  of 
Athanagild, 
king  ot 
Spain,  who 
unfortunately 
began  a  war 
on  France. 


"The  four 
brothers 
made  a 
strong 
defence. 


227.  Clowis]  Cloduice  P. 

229.  an]  had  an  R,  R  3. 

241.  leuygilde  R. 

244.  full]  so  B,  J,  P. 


926 


Brunhild^  is  interrupted  by  Bochas 


[bk.  IX 


and  finally  to 
have  peace  I 
was  given  in 
marriaRe  to 
Sigebert,  then 
reigning  in 
France." 


Whan  thei  mette  be  mortal  violence, 
Of  sodeyn  slaiihtre  fill  sulch  pestilence 
On  outlier  parti,  the  feeld  lik  a  gret  flood 
With  the  terrible  cfl^usioun  of  blood. 

To  bothe  reuniys  the  werris  wer  importable,  [p, 
Causid  of  dethfe]  passyng  gret  damage; 
Souhte  menys,  wex  be  assent  tretable, 
Of  blood  sheedyng  tappese  the  woful  rage. 
Bi  oon  accord  I  was  youe  in  mariage 
To  Sigibert,  regnyng  tho  in  Fraunce, 
Tueen  bothe  rewmys  to  maken  alliauwce." 

^  '^Nay,  nay,"  quod  Bochaj,  "I  deeme  it  is 

nat  so; 
Tween  you  &  me  ther  mut  begynne  a  strifF. 
Beth  auised;   taketh  good  heed  herto: 
The  first  assuraunce  of  mariage  in  yowr  lyfF, 
Of  Chilperik  ye  wer  the  weddid  wifF, 
Cronicles  seyn,  what-eu^r  ye  expresse, 
In  this  mateer  wil  here  with  me  witnesse." 

"Although  some^  "  Thouh  sumwc  bookis  reherse  so  &  sev«, 

booica  have  it      _  .,  ,  .   ,  .  •'     '      . 

as  you  mention,  Lik  as  yc  hauc  maad  heer  mencioun, 
Ther  rehersaile  stant  in  noun  certeyn; 
For  be  thassent  of  outher  regioun, 
Spayne  and  Fraunce  in  ther  conuenciouw 
Ordeyned  so  in  my  tendre  age. 
To  Sigibert  I  was  youe  in  mariage. 


"No,  no,"  said 
Bochas,  "that 
isn't  so;  we 
are  not  going 
to  agree. 
You  were  first 
the  wife  of 
Chilperic. 
The  chronicles 
say  so." 


at  any  rate 
I  was  given 
when  very 
young  to 
Sigebert. 


Ymenivs  was  nat  ther  present. 

Whan  we  took  our  chauwbre  toward  niht; 


"It  was  an 

unhappy 

marriage: 

Hymenaeus  -p,         rr-,,         •     |  |   •  ^ 

was  not  there,  r  ot  1  hesiphonc,  hir  sustren  or  assent, 
and  he'r"sis°ers  Infemal  goddessis  bar  the  torchis  liht. 
torlh^r  "^"^  ^^  ^^^  torchis  shewid  dirk  or  briht. 


and  of 
old  times, 
according  as 
the  torches 
burnt  dark  or 
bright,  the 
marriage  was 
deemed 
fortunate  or 
otherwise. 


252 
410] 

256 


260 


264 


268 


272 


Therbi  the  peeple  present,  oon  &  alle, 
Dempte  of  the  mariage  what  sholde  befalle. 

This  custum  vsid  of  antiquite: 

Fro  ther  templis  of  goddis  &  goddessis, 

At  manages  of  folk  of  hih  degre 

Torchis  wer  born,  of  whom  men  took  witnessis. 

As  thei  wer  dirk  or  shewed  ther  brihtnessis. 

The  difference  seyn  in  ech  estat, 

Yif  it  wer  toward  or  infortunat. 


276 


280 


284 


264.   Chilperis  R. 


274.   Hlmeneus  P. 


BK.  1X3 


Brunhilde  continues  her  Story 


927 


Of  this  manage  short  processe  for  to  make,  288 

The  torchis  brente,  &  yit  thei  wer  nat  briht,  — 

Shewed  out  komerous  smokes  blake; 

Of  consolaciouw  lost  was  al  the  liht. 

Thus  in  dirknesse  wastid  the  firste  niht:  292 

Ther  vers,  ther  songis  of  goddis  &  goddessis 

Wer  al  togidre  of  sorwe  and  heuynessis. 

Thes  wer  the  toknis  the  niht  of  mariage, 

Pronostiques  of  gret  aduersite;  296 

Yit  of  nature  I  hadde  this  auauwtage 

Of  womawheed  and  excellent  beute; 

And  lik  a  queen  in  stonis  &  perre 

I  was  arraied,  clad  in  purpil  red,  300 

With  a  crowne  of  gold  upon  myn  hed. 

Solempneli  crownid  queen  of  Fraunce, 

Which  for  to  seen  folk  faste  ga«  repaire. 

Of  al  weelfare  I  hadde  suffisauwce,  304 

Clomb  of  Fortune  ful  hih  vpon  the  staire. 

A  sone  I  hadde,  which  callid  was  Clotaire, 

Be  Sigibert,  be  record  of  writyng, 

Thridde  of  ^at  name  in  Fraunce  crownid  kyng.      308 

So  wolde  God  the*  day  whan  he  was  born 

He  hadde  be  put  in  his  sepulture, 

In  sauacioun  of  blood  shad  heer-toforn: 

Caused  the  deth  of  many  creature,  312 

As  dyuers  bookis  recorden  in  scripture. 

Ground  and  gynnyng,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 

Withynne  this  lond  of  gret  deuysioun. 

He  with  his  brethre,  of  whom  I  tolde  late,  316 

At  hym  begonne  the  first  occasioun"  — 

^  "Nat  so,"  quod  Bochas,  "ye  faillen  of  yowr  date. 

Who  was  cheef  cause  of  [this]  discencioun?" 

[m  "Sothli,"  quod  she,  "to  myn  oppynyoun,  320 

Amon[g]  hem-silfF,  I  dar  weel  specefie. 

The  cheef  gynnyng  was  fraternal  envie." 

^  "  Keep  you  mor  cloos;  in  this  mateer  ye  faille. 
Folwyng  the  tracis  of  your  condicioun,  324 

Ye  hake  foule  in  yoMr  rehersaille: 
For  of  your  owne  imagynacioun 
Ye  sewe  the  seed  of  this  discencioun 


"At  my 
marriage  the 
torches  gave 
out  heavy 
black  smoke 
and  turned  the 
light  to 
darkness. 


"Such  were 
the  prognos- 
tics, although 
I  was  very 
beautiful 
and  arrayed 
like  a  queen. 


"I  had  a  son 
named  Clotaire 
by  Sigebert, 
the  third 
of  the 

name  crowned 
in  France; 


but  would  to 
God  he  had 
been  put  in 
his  sepulchre 
the  day  he 
was  born,  for 
he  was  the 
cause  that 
many  a  man 
died." 


"Not  so,"  said 
Bochas,  "who 
was  chief  cause 
of  this  dis- 
sension?" 
"Really,"  she 
replied,  "I 
think  it  was 
fraternal 
jealousy." 


"Be  careful, 
you  are  not 
telling  the 
truth.    You 
yourself  were 
chief  cause." 


298. 

3"- 


womanhode  R. 
here  beforn  R. 


309.  the]  that  B  —  whan]  that  J,  om.  P. 


928  Brunhilde^s  Annoyance  with  Bochas  []bk.  ix 

Among  thes  kynges,  ylf  ye  taken  heed,  328 

Bi  which  in  France  many  man  was  ded." 

At  this  Bnin-    ^  Tha«  Brunwechildfc]  can  to  chaunce  cheere; 

hilde  changed      ^      ,-,       ,  .  ,  •    i     r  r    i  i 

her  expression       1  O  OOCliaS  Seidc  With  laCC  lUl  CTUCl, 
and  grimly  i<  -nt         i  i  i  i 

Mid  to  Bochas,     IN  at  longe  agon  thou  knew  nat  the  maneer  332 

moments  ago     Of  my  lyuyng  but  a  smal  parcel; 
^uie''about^m>-  ^^^  sccmcth  now  thou  kuowcst  euerideel, 
life;  now  gg  that  yc  may  withoute  lenger  strifF 

you  Bit  over  .  -^    .  -'  o 

me  as  a  judge.  Sitte  as  a  luge,  that  knowe  so  weel  my  lyiF.  336 

•When  these     Whan  thes  brethre  stoden  at  discord,  [p.  411] 

brothers  were       y^i  ii*  i-i  ur* 

at  discord.        hch  ageyn  other  bi  mortal  violence, 
bro'ther'of  King  Vudir  coIo//r  to  trctyn  of  accord 

Sig.ebm.  was       ^yj^i^   ^  ^^^^^  ^^^^^^   dilligenCC,  34O 

Chilperik  ther  beyng  in  presence, 
Whilom  brothir  to  Sigibert  the  kyng, 
Was  slayn  among  hem  be  fals  conspiryng. 

and  also  On  whos  deth  auengid  for  to  be,  344 

Sigebert,  who        .       p.    .,  j-jr    ii  -irr 

sought  to  As  bigibert  did[ej  hymsilrr  auaunce, 

deaX"  "  Among  the  pres  he  slay[e]n  was  parde  .  .  ." 

..XT,,    •■  [^]  "Nat  so,"  quod  Bochas,  "but  of  fals  gou^rnaunce, 

Bochas, -he  Of  yoz<r  mysleuyng  fill  this  vnhappi  chaunce,         348 

was  murdered      /-p,  o"     "i  i        i    •  i 

because  of  your   1  hat  bigibett  was  moordred  in  sothnesse 
fv"Hfe.°  Oonli  be  occasioun  of  your  doubilnesse. 

"You  loved       Folwyng  the  traces*  of  newefangilnesse, 
through  your     Geyn  Sigibert  ye  wrouht[e]  ful  falsli,  352 

fdiy^the^king    Whan  yc  loued*  of  froward  doubilnesse 
hunting"in''t^he^  Landrik  the  erl  of  Chaumpayne  &  of  Bry; 
Comptfne."      ^^^  ^^  ^^^"^  Outrage  &  your  gret  foly 

The  kyng  was  slay[e]n,  and  ye  did  assente,  356 

In  a  forest  on  huntyng  whan  he  wente, 

"Alas,"  she      Which  calHd  was  the  forest  of  Compyne." 
"Bochas,"        ^  "Alas!"  quod  she,  brak  out  in  compleynyng, 
k^w^too°"      "Bochas,  Bocha/,  thou  dost  sore  vndermyne  360 

Tyou  know°''Alle  the  surfetis  doon  in  my  lyuyng! 
siaught^'^^of      Thou  knowest  the  slauhtre  of  Sigibert  the  king, 
Sigebert,  done   Which  that  was  wrouht,  alas,  be  myn  assent,  — 

by  my  assent,      ,.,,  .,  ,,  '  "',  ^ 

if  you  were       How  knowist  thou  It,  that  wer  nat  ther  present?  364 

not  there.'  r  ^ 

329.  many  a  R. 

334.  eiieri]  eueril  R. 

346.  the  pres]  thres  R. 

351.  traces]  tras  B,  trace  R,  traces  J,  P. 

353.  loued]  loueden  B    R. 


BK.  IX] 


Bochas  again  interrupts  Brunhilde 


929 


Of  thes  debatis  and  of  al  this  werre, 

With  rebukis  rehersed  heer  in  veyn, 

In  rehersaille  gretli  thou  dost  erre; 

For  which  I  caste  —  be  riht  weel  certeyn  —  368 

In  my  difFence  to  replie  ageyw. 

It  was  nat  I;   for  she  that  thou  dost  meene 

Was  Fredeguwdus,  the  lusti  yonge  queene. 

This  Fredegunde,  thou  shalt  [weel]  vndirstonde,    372 

Riht  womanli  and  fair  of  hir  visage,  — 

Chilperik  was  whilom  hir  husbonde; 

For  hir  beute  took  hir  in  manage. 

Bi  hir  treynys  &  hir  gret  outrage  376 

He  was  aftir,  the  stori  who  list  reede, 

At  myscheef  slayn;  thou  shalt  so  fywde  in  deede." 

[^  "Thouh  ye  be  langage  make  strong  difFence 

In  thes  mateeres,  which  cause  me  to  muse,  380 

I  haue  ageyw  you  lost  my  pacience, 

That  so  sotilli  wolde  yoMrsilf  excuse. 

Contrariousli  yo^r  termys  ye  abuse; 

For  Clotaire*,  I  haue  so  rad,  parde,  384 

Was  nat  engendred  of  Sigibert  nor  of  the. 

I  remewbre  ful  weel  that  I  haue  rad 
That  Childepert*,  thouh  ye  therat  disdeyne,  — 
Record  of  auctoz^rs  that  prudent  been  &  sad,  —    388 
How  he  in  trouthe  was  gendrid  of  you  tweyne, 
Which  in  his  deyng  (me  list  nat  for  to  feyne*) 
LeiFt  sonis  two,  the  story  ye  may*  reede,  — 
Theobart  &  Thederik  to  succeede." 

^  "Bocha/,"  quod  she,  "thouh  thou  turne  vp-so-doun 

Thes  said[e]  stories,  rehersid  heer  in  deede, 

Folwywg  of  malis  thyn  own*  oppynyoun, 

Maugre  thi  wil[le],  foorth  I  wil  proceede  396 

As  I  began;  tak  therto  good  heede: 

First  Theodorik,  thou  shalt  vndirstonde, 

Cosyn  germyn  was  to  myn  husbonde. 


"You  are 
wholly  wrong. 
It  was  not  I, 
but  the  lusty 
young  Queen 
Fredegond 
whom 
you  mean. 


"Chilperic  was 
once  her 
husband,  and 
it  was  through 
her  wiles  and 
outrages  that 
he  was  after- 
wards slain." 


"Although  you 
defend  yourself 
well,  I've  lost 
patience  with 
you  for  your 
subtile  excuses. 


392 


"Clotaire  was 
not  your  own 
son  nor 
Sigebert's, 
but  Childebert 
was;  and  he 
left  two  sons, 
Theudebert 
and 
Theuderich." 


"Bochas, 
although  you 
turn  these 
stories  upside 
down  out  of 
malice,  I  will 
go  on  as  I 
began,  in  spite 
of  you. 


365.  al]  om.  R. 

371.  Fredegundis  R,  R  3,  Fredegundys  J,  H  5  —  Was]  It  was 

372.  weel]  om.  J. 

384.  Clotaire]  Colataire  B,  Colotaire  J,  Colatayre  H  5. 

387.  Childepert]  Chilperik  B,  Chilperike  P. 

390.  feyne]  seyne  B.       391.    may]  do  B. 

395.  of  malis  thyn  own]  the  malis  of  thyn  B. 

397.  therto]  heer  to  R,  herto  H  5. 


"Theuderich 
was  cousin 
german  to  my 
husband,  and 
he  slew  his 
brolher 

Thcudebert  and 
all  his  family. 
Whatever  you 
say,  this  is 
the  truth." 


"No."  said 
Bochas,  "it 

was  quite  other- 
wise.    I  cannot 
let  you  go  on 
in  this  way. 
Whether  you 
like  it  or  not, 
you  caused 
Theudebert's 
death. 


"And  it  was 
all  because 
of  your  burning 
covetousness  to 
rule  the  country 
yourself." 


930     Th(  Argument  between  Bnnihilde  and  Bochas        [j&vi.  ix 

Kyng  of  Burgoyne  that  tyme,  and  non  other.         400 

He  of  hatreedc  and  indignacioun 

Slouh  Theobart,  which  that  was  his  brother, 

His  wiff,  his  childre,  for  short  conclusioun, 

Which  in  the  myhti  famous  regioun  404 

Of  Autrasie  regnid  as  lord  &  kyng. 

What-euer  thou  seist,  this  soth  &  no  lesyng." 

^  "Nay,"  quod  Boch^j,  "it  was  al  otherwise; 

I  may  nat  suffre  how  ye  go  ther  among.  408 

Al  this  langage  of  newe  that  ye  deuise, 

Brouht  to  a  preef,  concludeth  vpow  wrong. 

What  sholde  we  lenger  this  mateer  drawe  along? 

Yowrsilf  wer  cause,  wher  ye  be  lothe*  or  fayn,       412 

Be  Theodorik  that  Theobart  was  slayn. 

The  ground  heerof  gan  parcel  of  envie, 

Bi  your  froward  brennyng  couetise, 

Which  that  ye  hadde  onli  to  occupie,  416 

To  reule  the  lond  aftir  yowr  owne  guise. 

And  yif  I  shal  pleynli  heer  deuise 

Of  thes  myscheeuys  rehersed,  God  do  boote. 

Ye  wer  yoMr-silfF[e]  ground,  cheef  cropp  &  roote."  420 

f  Quod  Brunnechild,  "I  conceyue  wel  &  se,  [p.  412] 

Ye  for  your  part  haue  lost  al  reuerence, 

Yowr-silf  enarmed  to  shewe  yowr  cruelte 

Ageyn[e]s  me,  touchyng  the  violence  424 

Of  too  slauhtris  rehersed  in  sentence: 

First  how  Theodorik  his  brothir  slouh  in  deede, 

Callid  Theobart,  a  pitous  thyng  to  reede; 

HymsilfF[e]  aftir  stranglid  with  poisoun,  428 

His  wifF,  his  childre  hewe  on  pecis  smale  .  .  ." 

^  "As  ye,"  quod  Bochas,  "mak  heer  mencioun, 

Sum  part  is  trewe,  but  nat  al  yowr  tale; 

For  I  suppose  ye  sholde  wexe  pale  43* 

For  shame  of  thyng  which  ye  canat  excuse, 

Whan  Theodorik  begynneth  you  taccuse. 

He  put  on  you  the  crym  of  fals  tresoun; 

Ye  slouh  his  wifF  and  his  childryn  also;  436 

Hymsilf  also  ye  moordred  with  poisoun: 


Said  Brunhilde, 
"I   see  you 
have  lost  all 
your  reverence 
{or  me  and 
only  want  to 
shew  your 
cruelty. 


"Afterwards 
Theuderich  was 
himself  poisoned 
and  his  wife 
and  children 
slaughtered." 

"Some  of  this 
is  true,  but 
not  all.     You 
had  better 


grow  pale  for 
shame;   you 
slew  them 
yourself." 


405.   Autrasie]  Austriche  P.      410.   concludyng  R. 
412.  lothe]  leef  B,  wroth  R,  R  3,  H  5. 

419.   do]  to  R,  be  H  5.  427.  Theobart]  Theodobert  R, 

H  s,  Theodobart  R  3,  Theobert  P.  435.   on]  vpon  R. 


BK.  IX] 


Brunhilde  tells  her  true  Story 


931 


I  wolde  wete  what  ye  can  seyn  herto?  " 

^  "Alas,"  quod  she,  "alas,  what  shal  I  do! 

Was  neuer  woman,  in  hih  nor  louh  estat,  440 

Al  thyng  considred,  mor  infortunat! 

Fortune  of  me  set  now  but  litil  prys, 

Bi  hir  froward  furious  violence 

Turnyng  hir  wheel  &  visage  of  malys,  444 

Causeth  to  me  that  no  man  yeueth  credence. 

Had  in  despiht,  void  of  al  reuerence, 

And  thoruh  Fortunys  mutabilite 

Sool  [and]  abiect  and  falle  in  pouerte.  448 

^  O  Bochaj-  lohn,  for  short  conclusioun, 

Thou  must  ageyns  me  \)i  stile  now  auaunce. 

I  haue  disserued  to  haue  punicioun, 

And  alle  the  princis  &  barouns  now  in  France        452 

Crie  out  on  me  &  axe  on  me  vengaunce; 

Refuge  is  non  nor  recure  in  this  thing, 

Thouh  that  Clotaire  my  sone*  be  crownid  kyng. 

For  my  defautis  foul  &  abhomynable,  456 

Tofor  the  iuges  of  al  the  parlement 

I  was  foriugid  &  founde  also  coupable, 

Of  euery  crym  convict  be  iugement, 

Myn  accusours  ther  beyng  present,  460 

Of  oon  &  othir  stondyng  a  gret  route, 

Markid  with  fyngris  of  folk  ]^at  stood  aboute. 

For  verray  shame  I  did  myn  eyen  close, 

For  them  that  gaured  &  cast  on  me  \)er  siht;  464 

But  as  folk  may  be  toknys  weel  suppose, 

Myn  eris  wer  nat  stoppid  half  ariht. 

Taken  be  force  &  lad  forth  with  myht, 

Be  the  hangman  drawe  ouer  hill  &  vale,  468 

Dismembrid  aftir  &  hewe  on  pecis  smale. 

With  my  blood  the  pament  al  bespreynt. 
Thanked  be  Fortune,  such*  was  myn  auenture, 
The  soule  partid,  my  bodi  was  so  feynt.  472 

Who  radde  euer  of  any  creature 
That  mor  wo  or  torment  did  endure!"  — 

438.  herto]  therto  R.  448.   and]  om.  J. 

453.  2nd  on]  of  R. 

455.  Clotaire  my  sone]  wft^  Clotaire  my  soule  B,  R,  J. 

461.  a]  ther  a  R. 

470.  pament]  paument  R,  payment  R  3,  payvment  H  5. 

471.  such]  which  B,  J,  P. 


"Alas,"  said 
she,  "what 
shall  I  do! 
Was  there 
ever  a  more 
unfortunate 
woman! 

"Fortune  cares 
little  for  me 
now;  she 
allows  no  man 
to  believe 
what  I  say, 
or  to  hold  me 
in  respect,  — 
abject  and 
alone  and 
fallen  in 
poverty! 

"O  Bochas 
John,  I  have 
deserved 
punishment 
and  there  is  no 
refuge  for  me, 
though  my  son 
be  crowned 
king. 


"I  was  found 
guilty  by  the 
judges  of  all 
the  parliament; 
and  people 
pointed  me  out 
with  their 
fingers,  so  that 
I  shut  my 
eyes  for  very 
shame. 


"Taken  out  by 
force,  I  was 
drawn  by  the 
hangman  and 
cut  up  into 
small  pieces. 


"Who  ever 
read  of  a 
woman 
who  endured 
more  torment 
than  I." 


932  y/n  Envoy   on  Brunhilde  [rk.  IX 

Praied  Bochas  to  haue  al  thy;;^  in  mynde, 

Write  hir  lyfF  &  leue  nothywg  behynde.  476 

Lenvoye. 
The  traKcdy  of  ^  |  ^HIS  traccdic  of  Bru/zncchild  the  queen. 


T"; 


Bninhiljc  is  ■         'n      i  ■  ■        i        i- 

(rowarj  inJ         X      lo  hif  stofi  WHO  list  yuic  attcndaunce, 

grievous  to  T->  J  ] 

read.   She  was  1"  foward  to  rcede,  contagious  to  seen, 
•r!nst"igaVor     And  contrafic  to  al  good  gou^rnaunce,  480 

of  treason.        Bom  in  Spayue,  crownid  queen  of  Fraunce, 
Double  of  hir  tunge,  vpfyndere  of  tresoun, 
Caused  al  that  lond  stonde  at  dyuisioun. 

No  man  could   From  hir  treynys  ther  koude  no  man  fleene,  484 

escape  her_  cij  r  o  i 

wiles;  mistress    bours  &  hedspryng  or  sorwe  &  myschaunce; 

of  murder  and     oi        i   t  r  r  •  i  i 

dissension.        bhad  hony  nrst,  stang  attir  as  doon  beene, 

Hir  myrre  medlid  with  sugrid  fals  plesaunce. 
What  she  saide  includid  variaunce,  488 

Maistresse  of  moordre  &  of  discencioun. 
Caused  al  that  lond  stonde  at  dyuysioun. 

The  princes  of   Princis  of  Gaule  myhte  nat  susteene 

Gaul  could  not    -^  , 

stand  her         (jrct  outtages  nor  the  gret  gou(?rnaunce  402 

outrages  and        •»•[•  ,  ~      .       ,  .       ,   .  .  ■  ty 

excesses,  which  JNor  the  surtetis  doon  in  hir  yeens  greene, 
thTircoun°try  '  Brouht  that  kyngdam  almost  to  vttrauwce; 
to  ruin.  ^ijg  Qf  assent  cried  on  hir  vengaunce. 

The  fame  aroos,  how  al  that  regioun  496 

Bi  hir  falsnesse  stood  at  dyuisioun. 

The  knife  of     The  knyfF  of  moordre  grouwde  was  so  keene 

murder  was  r)-  i  •  i  ri 

ground  keen      tji  hir  malys  oi  long  contynuaunce, 

by  her  malice;     xy  /.  .    ,     .     -  , 

she  spared        Jtlir  corage  irct  with  mrernal  teene,  500 

neither  her  kin    c_  J  j.1.         I  ii* 

nor  her  friends,  bpated  nouthet  kyn  nor  alliauwce. 


Peised  hir  surfetis  &  weied  in  ballaunce, 

As  Bochas  writ,  she  was  thoccasiouw 

Which  made  al  Fraunce  stonde  at  dyuisioun.        504 

^  Here  Bochas  in  maner  excusith  the     [p.  413] 
vorrching  of  Brunnechild.^ 

BOCHAS  astonid,  gan  inwardli  m^ruaile, 
Fill  in  a  maner  of  ambiguite 
Of  Brunnechildis  merueilowj-  r^hersaile,  — 

486.   doon|]  om.  R.  492.   outrages]  greuaunces  R. 

*  The  following  heading  is  in  MS.  J.  leaf  169  recto:      "  Bochas 
mervelyng  of  the  malice  and  cruelte  of  Bronnchild/writeth  thus." 


BK.  IX] 


Bochas's  Excuse  for  Brunhilde 


933 


How  any  woman  of  resouw  sholde  be  508 

So  ful  of  malis  &  froward*  cruelte, 
To  slen  hir  kyn  &  setten  at  distaunce 
Be  dyuysiouM  al  the  rewm  of  France. 

Bochas  dempte  it  was  nat  credible  512 

That  a  woman  sholde  be  so  vengable, 

In  hir  malis  so  venymous  or  terrible 

Of  slauhtre  or  moordre  [for]  to  be  coupable. 

The  stori  suspect,  heeld  it  but  a  fable,  516 

Onli  except  that  she  did  hym  excite 

Wit^  gret  instauwce  hir  story  for  to  write. 

Hir  cry  on  Bochaj"  was  verray  importune, 

To  sette  in  ordre  hir  felicites 

With  hir  vnhappi  chaunges  of  fortune, 

Hir  disclaundres  and  gret  aduersites, 

With  hir  difFame  reportid  in*  contres; 

No  verray  grounde  fouwde  in  bookes  olde,  524 

But  of  confessiouw  that  she  hirsiluen  tolde, 

That  myn  auctottr  with*  solempne  stile 

Reherse  sholde  hir  deedis  disclauwdrous, 

Hir  flouryng  yeeris  also  to  compile,  528 

Medlid  with  hir  daies  that  wer  contrarious, 

Hir  fatal  eende  froward  &  furious,  — 

Wherof  encouwbred  of  verray  weerynesse, 

Toward  Eraclyus  he  gan  his  penwe  dresse.  532 


520 


Bochas 
marvelled 
how  any 
woman  could 
be  so  full  of 
malice  and  per- 
verse cruelty. 

He  thought  it 
incredible  that 
a  woman 
should  be  so 
terrible  in  her 
rage  as  to  be 
guilty  of 
murder. 


He  held  her 
story  but  a 
fable,  except 
for  her 
insistence; 
and  it  came 
not  from  old 
books  but  was 
her  own 
confession. 


And  finally, 
overcome  by 
very  weariness, 
he  turned  his 
pen  to  the 
Emperor 
Heraclius. 


[How  Eraclyus  the  Emperoifl"  sustened  heresye  fill 
in  to  dropesy  and  sikenesse  incurabl  and  so 
died.]  1 

AFFTIR  Phocas,  with  gr^t  honour  &  glorie 
Crownid  emp^rowr  of  Roome  ^e  cite. 
In  whos  tyme,  lik  as  seith  J^e  storie, 
The  Romeyns  stood  in  gret  perplexite  536 

Bi  them  of  Perse  that  roos  with  Cosdroe, 
Which  took  upon  hym  to  be  lord  and  sire, 
As  a  tiraunt  to  trouble  the  empire. 


After  Phocas 
became 
emperor 
the  Romans 
were  greatly 
embarrassed  by 
the  Persians 
under 
Chosroes, 


509.   froward]  of  B.         515.   or]  and  J  —  for]  om  R. 

523.   in]  be  B,  by  J.         525.   confessions  R. 

526.   with]  rehersed  with  B,  J.  533.   H  begins  again. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  169  verso. 


934  '^^''^  f'''^  of  if^^  Emperor  lleracliiis  [bk.  ix 

who  conquered  Gat  iiianv  prouvnce  &  many  famoMJ  rewm  <±o 

many  provinces  „,,  i         i     a     •  i  •    i  •    i 

in  Asia.  and.      1  lioiuli  al  Asic,  as  the  cionicle  scith, 

froward  to  ^  i  .  i    1 1  i 

ciirist,  Ciaii  approcne  toward  Inerusalcm; 


jemMlem,  until  Aftom  tlic  toun  proiulH  a  siege  he  leith, 

Imote'oif  his     As  a  tiraiuit  froward  to  Cristes  feyth.  544 


head.  But  Eraclius,  iiiaugre  al  his  iiiilit, 

Smet  of  his  hed  &  slouh  hym  lik  a  knyht. 
In  his  youth     And  hi  crace,  which  that  is  dyuyne, 

Heradius  slew     r^,  ■      c  ■  i  •      t^         i- 

many  Saracens.     1  IllS  raiTlOUS  prinCC,  tlllS  LracllUS  548 

"rmous  knight    111  his  begy;mi«g  slouh  many  proud  Sarseyn, 
aFtlr^rcHcs."     Holde  in  tho  daies  notable  &  glorious, 
And  in  his  conquest  passyng[ly]  famous. 
Dyuers  reliques  &  the  cros  he  souhte,  552 

And  fro  tho  cuntres  many  of  hew  he  brouht. 

No  man  was     Was  non  SO  famous  holde  in  his  daies 

more  fitted  to       .       ^^         ,.  ,  •         r 

rule  the  empire;  As  bracHus  thcmpire  tor  to  guye, 

but  he  became    -kt  i"   r  j  i  • 

a  heretic  iNor  mor  manii  tou?jae  at  ai  assaies  556 

Of  hih  prowesse  nor  in  cheualrye. 
But  whan  he  gaw  susteene  heresie, 
God  took  from  hym,  wzt^ynne  a  litil  space, 
His  hap,  his  weelfare,  his  fortune  &  his  grace.         560 

and  upheld  the  He  gan  sustecne  &  folwe  certeyn  rihtis, 

doctrines  of  the  ^~.  -       -ir    i  ^    r  ^    r  • 

Monarchianites.  (Ji  wurulnesse  and  rroward  rantasie, 

was^never    ^    Of  3  sect  calHd  Monachelites, 

fortunate.         Which  is  z.  scct  of  froward  heresie;  564 

And  sith  that  he  drouh  to  that  partie, 

The  stori  tellith,  for  al  his  hih  estat, 

This  Eraclius  was  neuere  fortunat. 

Once  dreaded    Wher  he  was  first  drad  on  se  &  lond,  568 

sea,  Grace  and  NawH  ofF  Sarsyus,  for  his*  cheualrie, 
hira,"rnd1ie      Gracc  &  Fortuuc  from  hym  wzt^drouh  ther  bond; 
!ufh"f  d"o?sy    For  whan  that  he  fill  into  heresie, 
coufd^never'Te  ^^  ^^^  trauailed  With  suich  a  dropesie,  572 

quenched.         And  therwithal  he  hadde  a  froward  lust 
Euere  to  drynk,  &  euere  he  was  a-thrust. 

In  tho  daies  founde  was  no  leche, 

Al-be  that  thei  wer  souht  on  ech  partie,  576 

The  saide  prince  that  koude  wissh  or  teche, 

549.   begyning]  gynnyng  H.  551.   passyngly]  passyng 

J,  R,  H  s,  P.  553-   tho]  be  H. 

558.   to  susteen  H,  to  sustene  R  3. 

568.   first  drad]  drad  first  H,  R  3.         569.   for]  for  al  B,  J. 
576.   that]  though  H  —  on]  in  R,  R  3. 


BK. 


IX] 


Constantine  III.,  Son  of  Heraclius 


935 


Hym  to  releue  of  his  idropesie, 

Maad  feynt  &  feeble  wzt^  a  gret  palisie: 

Thus  in  siknesse  he  hath  his  daies  spent,  580 

Be  vengauwce  slayn  with  infernal  torment. 

Of  Heraclius  this  was  the  woful  eende,  [p.  414] 

As  is  rehersed,  slay[e]n  with  seeknesse, 

Out  of  this  world[e]  whan  he  sholde  weende,  584 

Al  hool  thempire  stood  in  gret  distresse, 

Force  of  Sarsyns  dide  hem  so  oppresse; 

And  day  be  day  drouh  [vn]to  declyn 

Be  his  successour  callid  Constantyw,  588 


No  physician 
was  able  to 
relieve  him, 
and  he  finally 
died  in 
torment. 


That  was  his 
sad  end;  and 
all  the  empire 
stood  in 
distress 

because  of  the 
Saracens. 


[How  Constantyne  the  sone  of  Eraclyus  suppoilyng 
errour  and  heresye  was  moordred  in  a  stewe.]  ^ 

Which  was  his  sone,  as  maad  is  mewciouw. 

In  whos  tyme  thoruh  his  gret  folic 

Sarsyns  dide  gret  oppressiouw, 

Spoillyng  the  contres  of  al  Lumbardie.  592 

And  Qonstzntyn,  of  wilful  slogardie, 

Wasted  his  daies  til  that  he  hath  brouht 

Al  thempire  almost  onto  nouht. 

Geyn  Cristes  feith  in  especial  596 

He  gan  of  malys  his  wittis  to  applie, 

And  was  therto  enmy  ful  mortal, 

As*  cheeff  supportowr  of  fals  heresie. 

And  toward  Roome  faste  he  gan  hym  hie,  600 

Spoilled  templis  of  many  riche  image. 

And  be  water  took  aftir  his  passage. 

To  Constantynople  he  hasted  hym  ful  blyue, 

Be  Cecile  the  weie  was  most*  meete;  604 

At  Siracuse  I  fynde  he  did  aryue, 

And  for  the  sesouw  was  excessifF  of  heete. 

Which  in  his  labowr  made  hym  for  to  sueete, 

And  secreli  he  gan  hymsilf  remewe  608 

To  be  bathed  in  a  preue  stewe. 


His  son 
Constantine 
succeeded;  and 
during  his 
reign  the 
Saracens  did  as 
they  would. 


while  he 
wasted  his 
days,  an  enemy 
to  Christ's 
faith,  until  the 
empire  was 
almost  brought 
to  nought. 


578.  dropesie  R,  J.  581.   torment]  lugement  H. 

583.  is]  om.  R.  595   is  misplaced  at  foot  of  column  R. 

596.  Geyn]  All  R.  599.    As]  And  B,  J  —  fals]  all  H. 

603.  To]  om.  H,  R  3  —  ful]  om.  H,  H  5. 

604.  Be]  To  —  most]  almost  B,  R,  J,  H  5. 

607.  hym]  his  H.  608.   remewe]  renewe  H. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  169  verso. 


He  hastened 
from  Rome  to 
Constantino- 
ple, and  stop- 
ping over  at 
Syracuse, 
where 

it  was  very 
hot,  secretly 
went  to  a 
brothel  for 
a  bath; 


936 


Constantine  IF.,  a  good  Emperor 


[bk.  IX 


anJ  there 
his  own 
knights  fell 
upon  hin)  and 
(lew  him. 


They  chose 
their  own 
emperor:  but 
Constantine. 
the  next  heir, 


a  notable  man, 
who  was  wiser 
than  his  father, 
slew  all  the 
conspirators. 


To  his  great 
renown  he 
caused  289 
bishops  to 
assemble  for 
the  defence 
of  Christ's 
faith  against 
old  heresies. 


He  also 
restored 
churches 
and  justly 
punished  all 
heretics,  with- 
out respect  of 
person  or 
favour. 


I  read  little 
more  about 
him  in  Bochas 


Of  cniiiyte  ther  he  was  espied; 

His  owne  knihtd'j-,  lik  as  it  is  founde, 

Be  co;;spiracioii;f,  certcy?  of  them  allied, 

Fill  upon  liym  with  sha[i]p^  swerdis*  grounde. 

And  niercilcs,  with  many  mortal  wou7zde, 

Thei  sloiih  hym  ther,  on  hym  thei  wer  so  wood, 

Amyd  the  stewe,  nakid  as  he  stood. 

Aftir  whos  deth  thei  did  hemsilf  auaunce 
To  chese  a  kniht  bor[e]n  in  Armenye, 
Of  thempire  to  take*  the  gouifrnaiuzce 
And  to  supporte  falsli  ther  partie. 
^  But  Constantyn,  succeedyng  of  allie, 
Beyng  next  heir,  the  trouthe  for  to  sue, 
To  hym  that  was  moordred  in  the  stue, 

Callid  Constantyn,  as  his  fadir  was, 

Riht  notable  in  actis  marciall, 

Mor  wish  gouerned,  stood  in  othir  caas: 

Lik  a  prince,  be  iugeme^it  roial. 

Of  manli  herte  and  corage  natural 

The  conspifatowrs  first  of  alle  he  sleth. 

That  wer  assentid  to  his  fadris  deth. 

To  gret  encres  of  his  famouj  renoun, 
Grace  of  God  dide  hym  enlumyne, 
Constantynople,  in  that  roial  toun 
Olde  heresie[s]  to  cessen  and  to  fyne. 
Too  hundrid  bisshoppis  [eihty]  &  eek  nyne 
He  made  assemble,  thoruh  manli  prouidence,* 
Of  Cristes  feith  to  stonde  at  difFence.* 

He  was  eek  besi  cherchis  to  restore, 

Al  heretikes  manli  to  withstonde, 

Ther  oppynyouns  examyned  weel  before. 

And  whan  the  trouthe  was  weel  vndirstonde, 

Lik  Cristis  kniht  list  for  no  man  wonde 

To  pun[ys]shen  hem  ius[t]li  be  rigour, 

Withoute  excepcioun  of  persone  or  fauot<r. 

Of  hyw  in  Bochaj  litil  mor  I  reede. 

Nor  of  his  empire  I  fynde  non  o]per  date,  — 

Spared  non  heretik,  nouther  for  gold  nor  meede. 


612 


616 


620 


624 


628 


632 


636 


640 


644 


613.    swerdis]  speris  B,  sperys  J.  619.   to  take]  took  B, 

J,  toke  P.  623.   was  moordred]  moordrid  was  H. 

631.   famoM/]  fadris  R.       635.   eihty]  om.  J  —  eek]  eke  also  J. 
The  second  halves  of  lines  636,  37  are  transposed  B,  J,  P. 
647.   nor]  no  H. 


BK. 


IX] 


Gisulf  and  his  Wife  Romilda 


937 


Constawtynople  he  passid  into  fate; 
Whaw  Bulgarience  gan  with  hym  debate, 
A  froward  peeple,  wilful  &  rekles, 
GafF  hem  a  tribut,  he  for  to  lyue  in  pes. 


648 


except  that  he 
paid  tribute  to 
the  Bulgars 
for  the  sake 
of  peace  and 
died  in  Con- 
stantinople. 


nilow  Gisulphus  was   slayn,   and  his   wif  ended 
mischeuesly  in  lecherye.]  ^ 

NEXT  cam  Gisulphwj-  to  Boch^zj  on  \>t  ryng,  652 
A  famous  duk  &  notable  \n  his  lyff, 
With  weepiwg  eyen  pitousli  pleynyng, 
Wxt^  whom  also  caw  Rymulde  his  wifF, 
Which  t)<2t  lyueden  euere  in  sorwe  &  strifF.  656 

Yit  was  she  bothe  of  berthe  &  of  lynage 
Riht  excellent,  &  fair  of  hir  visage. 

Sixe  childre  hadde  this  famous  queen 

Bi  Gisulphus  begetyw  in  manage,  660 

Wonder  semli  and  goodli  on  to  seen, 

And  fortunat  be  processe  of  ther  age, 

Al-be  ther  fadir  felte  gret  damage 

Be  the  werris  he  hadde  in  his  lyuywg 

Wit^  Cathanus  that  was  of  Narroys  kyng. 

This  Cathanvs  yvith  many  strong  bataille 

Is  descendid,  and  took  the  weie  riht 

Of  duk  Gisulphus  the  londis  to  assaile; 

Togidre  mette  in  steel  armyd  briht; 

Gisulphe  slayn;   his  peeple  put  to  fliht. 

And  Cathanus  with  strong  &  myhti  bond 

Took  pocessioun,  conquered  al  his  lond.  672 

Aftir  whos  deth  Romulde  the  duchesse, 

Gretli  astoned,  pale  of  hir  visage. 

To  the  castel  off  Forgoil  gan  hir  dresse 

With  hir  knihtis  of  strong  &  fel  corage.  676 

Cathanus  made  aftir  his*  passage, 

Leide  a  siege,  caste  hym  to  iuparte 

His  lyfF,  his  bodi  rather  than  departe. 

649.   Bulgariens  R,  H,  R  3.  655.   Romilda  P. 

663.   felte]  fell  in  R.  664.   the]  ther  R. 

665.   Cathanus]  Cathamus  J,  Cathenoys  H,  Cacanus  P  —  Nar- 
roys] Bauars  P. 
673.   Rymulde  H,  J,  Romilde  P. 
676.   hir]  his  R.  677.   his]  hir  B. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  170a. 


Gisulf  and  his 
wife  Romilda 
lived  always  in 
sorrow  and 
strife,  although 
she  was  of  an 
excellent 
family  and 
very  beautiful. 


They  had  six 
children,  who 
were  at  first 
happy  in  spite 
of  their  father's 
wars  with 
Cacanus,  King 
of  the  Avars, 


664 


[p.  4.1 'si     who  slew  Gisulf 
Lr'  T    J  J     gjjjj  conquered 

all  his  land. 
668 


Romilda 
retired  with 
her  knights  to 
the  castle  of 
Foroiulanum; 


93^  The  foul  Story  of  Romilda  [bk.  IX 

•nil  »»  ,         Aboute  the  castcl  armyd  as  he  rood,  680 

ihe  »tood  ^  111-  1  • 

on  the  wall       Lik  a  prince  sat  knihtli  on  his  steede, 

Cacanus  riding    Vpoil   tllC  WalHs  aS   RonUllduS  StOod, 

•rmour"  Ftesshli  beseyn[e]  in  hir  purpil  weede, 

And  of  the  seege  gan  to  taken  heede,  684 

Hir  look,  vnwarii,  as  she  cast  a-side, 
And  sauh  the  kyng  tofor  the  castel  ride, 

•nd  lookinK  like  So  hk  a  prince  and  a  ma?di  kniht; 

•  prince  and  ^  ' 

manly  knight,    bhe  gan  On  hym  looke  wondir  narwe:  688 

she  fell  in  love    >-pi  i       r  i  i      i  i     i    •         •  i 

with  him.  1  he  gocl  ot  loue  persed  thoruh  hir  siht, 

Vnto  hir  herte  markid  hir  with  his  arwe; 
The  firy  tyndis  of  his  brennyng  harwe 
Made  the  soil  so  pliaunt  of  hir  thouht,  692 

That  of  hir  castel  she  set  almost  riht  nouht. 

TcU Th "'"^ '°  ^"*^  ^^^  tacomplisshe  the  hool  entencioun 
castle,  presented  Of  hir  fals  lust  in  al  man^ff  thywg, 

herself  to  him      c\        '  j    i  .    .  "^      ° 

in  his  tent.       ohe  IS  agreed  be  composicioun  696 

To  yeeld  the  castel  in  haste  onto  the  ky?ig, 
She  for  to  come  withoute  mor  tarieng, 
Lik  a  duchesse  hirsiluen  to  presente, 
Wher-as  the  kyng  sat  armyd  in  his  tente.  700 

were'taifcn        '^^^  pceple  withynwe  prisoneeres  take, 
prisoner,  her      Hir  fourc  sonis  took  hem  to  the  fliht; 

four  sons  fled,     j  ,      ,  i        i         i      r  i 

Cacanus  lay      Louc  caused  that  she  hath  rorsake 
niRht  a"d°then  Hir  blood,  hir  kyn,  wher  it  wer  wrong  or  riht.        704 
despised  her.     j^^^  Romulde  the  spacc  but  of*  a  niht 
With  Cathanus  hadde  al  hir  deliht. 
And  euere  aftir  he  hadde  hir  in  despiht. 

Repulsed  by      And  bi  the  kyng  whan  she  was  refusid,  708 

the  king,  she       ^  .  -^     »  i       i.     i   •       i  •      i 

cohabited  with    1  uclue  m  noumbre  that  duelled  m  his  hous 
his  household     Most  frowardli  hir  beute  haue  abusid, 

and  afterwards    r\c  1^'  ^  i  i       i 

sank  so  low      Ut  hir  naturc  she  was  so  lecherous. 

acqu°ainted  withal  to  rehcrse  it  is  contagious,  712 

Ihe  ft^iT'  °^    H°^^  sh^  ^'6^  ^fftir  so  abhomynable 

To  been  aqueynted  with  gromys  of  Jje  stable. 

It  w-er  but  veyn  to  tarie  on  this  mateere 

Or  any  long  processe  for  to  make,  716 

Hir  stori  is  contagious  [for]  to  heere. 

682.   Rymuldis  H  —  Romuldus  stood]  Rymuldus  abood  J, 

Romilde  abode  P. 
691.   firy  tyndis]  fire  teyndis  R.      693.   nouht]  om.  R. 
698.   withoute]  with  R.       705.    but  of]  of  al  B,  J. 
715.  on]  in  R,  H,  R  3,  H  5. 


BK.  1X3 


The  Fate  of  Justinian   Temerarius 


But  fynalli  at  myscheef  she  was  take, 
For  a  spectacle  fichched  on  a  stake, 
Set  up  alofte,  myn  auctOMt  tellith  so, 
Deide  in  distresse  for  constreywt  of  hir  wo. 


720 


939 


It  is  a  foul 
story;  and 
finally  she  was 
impaled  on  a 
stake  and  died. 


[Off  lustynyan  the  fals  extorcioner  exiled  by  Patry- 
cyan/af ter  bothe  nose  &  eien  kut  from  his  hede.]  ^ 

BY  exaumple,  so  as  fressh  armure 
Thoruh  long[e]  restiwg  leseth  his  brihtnesse, 
Fret  with  old  rust,  gadreth  gret  ordure,  724 

Is  difFacid  of  his  fressh  cleernesse, 
Semblabli  the  Romeyws  hih  prowesse 
Gan  for  tappalle,  alas,  &  that  was  routhe!  — 
Whan  thei  hem  gaff  to  necligewce  &  slouthe.  728 

Who  in  knihthod  list  haue  experience 

Must  eschewe  riotous  idilnesse, 

Be  prouident  -with  enteer  dilligence, 

Large  with  discreciouw,  maMli  with  gentilesse,        732 

To  hih  emprises  his  corage  dresse. 

And  be  weel  war,  upon  ech  partie, 

Hyw  to  preserue  fro  rust  of  slogardie. 

The  which[e]  vice  gretli  hath  appeired,  736 

As  is  remewbrid  of  old  antiquite. 

Caused  ofte  Romeyws  be  dispeired, 

Be  froward  lustis  hyndred  ther  cite 

And  appallid  ther  old  prospmte;  740 

For  which  defautis  caw  to  pleyne  blyue 

To  lohn  Bochas  emperoi/r[e]s  fyue. 

As  many  kynges  of  the  same  nouwbre. 

Which  be  slouthe  wern  afForn  oppressid,  744 

Whom  that  slouthe  whilom  did  encoumbre, 

Ther  names  heer  bi  and  bi  expressid. 

To  myn  auctowr  thei  ban  her  cours  Idressid 

Lik  ther  degrees  to  speke  in  wordes  fewe:  748 

^  lustynyan  first  did*  his  face  shewe, 

Nat  lustynyan  whilom  so  vertuous,  [p.  416] 

And  of  prudent  gouernaunce  so  notable. 

But  lustynyan  Temerarivs,  752 

723.   resting]]  rustyng  H,  73S,   disespeyred  H. 

744.   slouthe]  slouhe  R.  749.   did]  gzn  B,  J,  P. 

751]  And  so  notable  off  prudent  gouernaunce  R,  R  3,  H  5,  & 
so  noble  of  prudent  governaunce  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  170C. 


Just  as  new 
armour  if 
unused 
becomes 
tarnished,  so 
the  Romans 
lost  their 
prowess  when 
they  grew 
slothful. 


Knights  must 
avoid  riotous 
idleness  and 
keep  them- 
selves from 
the  rust  of 
indolence. 


It  was  this 
vice  that  hurt 
the  prosperity 
of  Rome;  and 
five  emperors 
and  five    kings 
came  to  Bochas 
to  complain 
their  sloth. 


Justinian 
Temerarius, 


940  Philippicus,  an  odious  Heretic  [bk.  ix 

•n  irre»pon.ibie  Double  of  liis  cleedis,  fals  &  decevuable, 

man  ot  bad  /  \c  \  •  i 

character,  wa»   Ot  lus  proiiivs  dvuers  &  viistablc, 

exiled  by  \\M     I  l'  J    l        n 

Patrician  (or        \\  hllOIll  CXlllU   DC   1  atflCian 

extortion,  17  ^         •  \  \        •       t\ 

for  extorsiouws  that  he  in  Roome  gan.  756 

•ndhiieyetand  His  nasc,  his  cven  Patrician  caf  i«  charce 

note  cut  off.  f    l       r      •  i 

Leontius  was        1  O  DC  KUt  OX,   DC  lUriOUS  CrUeltC. 

Tiberius,  And  of  thempire  \)at  was  so  wide  &  large, 

^  Leoncius  next  gou^rnid  the  cite;  760 

And  thoruh  Fortunis  mutabilite 

The  same  Leonce  be  Tiberie  was  cast  doun, 

His  eien  put  out,  deied  afFtir  in  prisoun. 

and  Tiberius      ^  Tibcrius  afFtif  seruid  on  the  same,  76A 

was  served  ...  '  '^^ 

in  the  His  nosc  Icut  of,  from  his  see  put  doun; 

same  fashion        -rp  i      i  j  11 

and  imprisoned  T  Ot  a  rcDUK  and  a  perpetuel  shame. 
To  a  cite  that  callid  was  Cersoun, 
WitZ'oute  merci,  fauour  or  raunsouw  768 

Exilid  he  was,  prisowned  as  a  theeff, 
Bi  Iong[e]  turment  deide  at  myscheef. 

[How  Philip  the  Emperour  died  at  myschef.]  ^ 

Philippicus       ^  Next  to  Boch<3j-  caw  Phelipp  on  the  rine, 

^^s  an  Tin  •  i   m        t 

odious  heretic    Whos  empire  no  while  did  endure.  772 

and  iconoclast,    t  M  l  •!  •  i       r  i 

who  knocked     LiK  an  heretiK  cursid  or  lyuyng 

down  the  A      J       J " 

images  of  the    -^nd  odious  to  eueri  creature, 

hoiysamts,       gg^^  doun  images  &  many  fressh  picture 

Of  hooli  seynt<fj-,  which  in  ther  templis  stood,         776 
Wherbi  Romeyws  dempte  that  he  was  wood. 

Romanstho'lf  ht  ^'^'^^"^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^  ^  mauH  kniht 

he  was  mad,     CalHd  Auastalse,  and  put  out  of  his  place; 

and  Anastasius      •       j    •       ^-,.    •!/•  r  o  i 

put  him  out     And  in  i^icile,  or  verray  rorce  &  myht  780 

and  biindS'*    He  did  his  eyen  out  of  his  hed  arace, 
^""'  Be  iugement  his  visage  to  difFace, 

Semblabli  as  he  be  gret  outrages 

Of  Cristes  cherch  difFaced  the  images;  784 

Anastasius  then  Deidc  at  myscheefF  dirkid  with  blvndnesse. 

took  possession,   -.  ,-^.  .      •'  .  .         ■' 

and  the  empire  tj)  1  hau  Anastaise  took  poscssioun, 

was  divided.         y  i  i  i  •      i  • 

In  whos  tyme,  bookis  ber  witnesse 

7SS.  Patrician]  Leoncian  P.      764.   Tibery  H  —  on]  of  J,  P, 

769.  he  was]  was  he  R. 

778.  manli]  myhty  H.       779.   Anastasius  P,  anastasie  R. 

780,  in]  om.  R.       784.   cherch]  Chirchis  R. 

I  MS,  J.  leaf  i7od. 


BK.  ix]      The  Covetousness  and  Pride  of  the  Church 


941 


And  cronlcles  make  mewciouw, 

Of  thempire  was  maad  dyuisiouw: 

That  first  was  oon,  partid  [was]  on  tueyne 

Wherof  my«  auctowr  in  maner  doth  compleyne. 


788 


^  Bochas  in  maner  compleynjrth  of  tingis  deuidid 
in  too.^ 


AS  he  reherseth  in  his  oppynyouw 
And  therupon  doth  a  ground  deuise, 
Cause  &  rote  of  ther  deuisioun 
Took  origynal  of  fals  couetise; 
And  ceriousli  he  teUith  heer  the  guise, 
Into  the  cherch  whan  richesse  brouht  \n  pride, 
Al  perfeccioun  anon  was  set  aside. 

The  poore  staf  and  potent  of  doctryne. 
Whan  it  wer  chauwgid  &  list  nat  for  tabide 
In  wilful  pouert,  but  gan  anon  declyne, 
On  statli  palfreyis  &  hih  hors  to  ride. 
Sharp  heires  wer[e]n  also  leid  aside, 
Tournid  to  copis  of  purpil  &  sangwyw, 
Gownis  of  scarlet  furrid  with  hermyn. 

Slendre  fare  of  wyn  &  water  cleer, 
With  abstinence  of  bred  maad  of  whete 
ChauMgid  tho  daies  to  many  fat  dyneer, 
'With  confect  drynk  of  ipocratis*  sueete; 
And  sobirnesse  dide  his  bouwdis  lete, 
Scarsnesse  of  foode  lefFte  his  olde  estat, 
With  newe  excesse  gan  wexe  delicat. 

Gostly  lyuyng  in  the  cherche  appallid. 
Caused  Greekis  withdrawe  hem  in  sentence 
From  the  pope,  in  Petris  place  stallid. 
And  list  to  hym  do  non  obedience. 
Fals  auarice  caused  this  offence. 
That  the  Grekis  dide  hemsilf  deuide 
Fro  the  Romeyns  for  ther  gret[e]  pride. 


792 


796 


800 


804 


808 


As  Bochas 
says, 

the  cause  of 
this  division 
was  covetous- 
ness; and  when 
wealth  brought 
pride  into  the 
church,  all 
perfection  was 
abandoned. 


When  the 
monks  rode 
on  stately 
palfreys  and 
high  horses, 
and  laid  aside 
their  haircloth 
for  scarlet 
gowns  trimmed 
with  ermine. 


and  exchanged 
their  simple 
fare  for  rich 
feasting,  and 
no  longer  kept 
sober, 


812 


816 


the  spiritual 

life  of 

the  church 

grew  faint,  and 

the  Greeks 

withdrew 

themselves 

from  the 

Romans. 


790.  and  was3  om.  R. 

791.  myn  auctoMr  in  maner^  in  maneer  myn  Auctour  H. 
796.   the]  his  R.  809.    confect]  comforte   H.   confort 

R  3  —  of  ipocratis]  &  ipocras  B,  J,  of  ypocras  R. 

^  The  following  heading  is  in  MS.  J.  leaf  i7od:  "How  Anastace 
was  cowipellid  to  leva  the  Empire  to  be  a  preste  and  lyve  in 
pouerte." 


942  Four  Kings  of  Lombardy  [bk.  ix 

Thus  covetous-  Thus  coucitisc  and  [falsi  ambicloun  820 

ness  anJ  evil       jA-  i    r  i  *     i  •    •         i 

•mbition  IJul  ntst  grct  harm  amonp;*  the  spiritual, 

in  division.        Bfoulit  ill  discorcl  aiul  dyuyslou?! 

Take  record  of     a  •        '      •       ^i  1  i 

Anastasius,  who  Anio;/p;  pniicis  in  ther  cstat  royal, 
of'the^en^pire    ^^^^  clywbcth  liicst,  most  pcrcilous  is  his  fall,        824 
by  Theodosius.  Record  I  take  of  forseid  Anastase, 
Be  Thcodosie  put  out  of  his  place, 
and  finally        This  Tlieodosic  didc  his  besi  peyne  Fp.  4.17I 

took  orders  and    >"..  .,  ri  ir-r/j 

died  in  poverty.  (Jn  Auastace  suich  wcrre  for  to  make,  828 

That  maugre  hym  he  did  hym  so  constreyne. 
That  he  was  fayn  thenipire  to  forsake. 

N  For  feer  and  dreed  he  did  upon  hym  take 

The  oordre  of  preest  from  the  imperial  see,  832 

Content  with  litil,  lyued  in  pouertee. 


[How  the  hede  of  Lupus  kyng  of  Lumbardie  was  i 
smet  of  by  Grymaldus.]]  ^ 

Four  mighty        A   FFTIR  thcs  chaunges  r<fmewbrid  be  writingis,  ! 

Lombardy         jlV  Lik  as  I  hauc  told  heer  in  partie,  1 

Bochas.  with     Ca^n  to  Boch^j  foure  myhti  kiwgis  836              \ 

and  beards  °"^  Regnyng  cchou  of  old  in  Lumbardie.  ', 

reaching  to  the  ^^^.jj.  ^j^g  maner  and  guise  of  barbarie  : 

Thei  wern  arraied,  &  in  ther  passage  : 

With  her  forgrowen  bodi  and  visage.  840 

They  wore        Ther  berdis  rauhte  ouer  ther  nouele  doun;  ' 

many-coloured     ^                                                  r        i                              r   i  i  i 

garments, broad  1  her  gamcmeMt^j"  ot  coloMrs  manyrold,  I 

baldrics,  large      ttt  •    Jiiii'i'i-i- 

golden  buckles    Wzto  brodc  baudrikis  enbracid  envirouw,  | 

breeches  ^"^^'    Large  bokelis  &  pendauwtis  of  fyw  gold.  844              I 

wTth'pS      Ther  brech  enbrowdid  aftir  the  guise  of  old,  ! 

Fret  with  perle,  leg  stukkid  to  the  kne, 

Pleynyng  to  Bochas  of  ther  aduifrsite.  1 

and  shoes  laced  Thet  shon  wcr  racid  fresshli  to  the  ton,  848              i 

with  gold  wire    -p,-    ,      ,.  i        •    i  i  i 

and  set  with      Kicheii  transucrscd  with  gold  weer,  1 

strange  stones,      ait 

And  theron  sette  many  a  strauwge  ston,  1 

Geyw  Phebus  liht  that  shon  ful  briht  &  cleer.  ' 

Thes  Lombard  kynges  gan  tapproche  neer,  852 

820.    fals]   om.  J,  R  3,  H  5.             821.    among]  in  B,  J,  R.  j 

825.   oF)  on  H.             835.   partie]  lupartye  H.  ' 
841.   rauhte]  rauh  H  —  2nd  ther]  Jie  H,  the  R  3,  J. 

846.   stukkid]  stokkid  H.       848.   to]  vnto  R.  ' 

850.   straunge]  riche  H.  \ 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  171a. 


BK.  IX] 


Lupus,  Alahis,  Aribertus 


943 


And  first  of  alle  the  proude  kyng  Lupus 
Vnto  Bochas  ga«  his  cowpIeywt[e]  thus: 

^  "Bochas,"  quod  he,  "as  for  my  partie, 

For  to  reherse  be  short  conclusiouw. 

On  Grymaldus,  a  prince  of  Lumbardie, 

Hath  me  enchacid  out  of  my  regiouw 

And  cruelli  me  cheynid  in  prisouw. 

And  aftir  that  he  did  a  sergaunt  sende, 

Smet  of  myn  hed,  and  ther  I  maad  aw  eende." 


856 


860 


Lupus  com- 
plained that 
Grimoaldus 
first  chased 
him  from  his 
kingdom  and 
then  sent  a 
sergeant  to 
smite  off  his 
head. 


pHow  the  hede  of  Alexyus  was  smet  of  by  Comper- 
toun.]  ^ 

Aftir  this  eende  rehersed  of  Lupus, 

For  to  declare  his  mortal  heuynesse, 

^  Next  in  ordre  ther  caw  Alexius,  864 

A  Lombard  ky«g  famous  of  richesse. 

Which  took  on  hym  of  surquedous  prowesse 

For  to  compasse  the  destrucciouw 

Of  a  prince  Icallid  Compertoun,  868 

Which  wered  also  a  crowne  in  Lumbardie. 

Atwixe  bothe  was  werre  &  gret  distaunce, 

But  al  the  peeple  and  lordis  of  Pauye 

Wit^  myhti  bond  and  marcial  gou<frnaunce  872 

The  saide  Alex  brouhte  to  myschaunce; 

And  Compertoun,  escapid  from  al  dreed. 

Of  mortal  vengauwce  leet  smytew  of  his  hed. 


Alahis  took 

upon  himself 

of  pride  to 

destroy 

another 

Lombard 

prince 

called 

Gunibert; 


but  the  people 
of  Pavia 
defeated  him, 
and  he  too 
lost  his  head. 


[How  Arypertoun  was  drowned  with  his  rychesse.]  ^ 

Aftir  whos  deth  pitousli  pleynywg,  876 

^  Tofor  lohn  Boch^j  cam  Aripertouw, 

Of  Lumbardie  whilom  lord  &  kyng. 

Which,  lik  a  fool,  of  hih  presuwpciouw 

Al  causeles  took  occasiouw  880 

Of  volunte,  ther  is  no  mor  to  seye, 

Ageyn  the  duk  off  Bagorois  to  werreye. 


864.  Alexius]  Alahus  P.  868 

873.   Alex]  Alexius  R,  Alahis  P. 

879.  Which]  &  H  —  hih]  his  R. 

882.   Bagorois]  Baiernoys  H,  R  3,  Bauaroies  P 


Compertoun]  Guniberte  P. 
877.   ArithbertoM  P. 


»  MS.  J.  leaf  171b. 


MS.  J.  leaf  171b. 


Aribertus, 
like  a  fool, 
made  war  on 
the  duke  of 
Bavaria, 


944  Dfsidfrius,  the  lost  Lombard  King  [^BK.  ix 

andiowng.        Tlics  princis  tweyne  taken  haue  the  feeld, 

fled  to  r\c*    A    •  I  •        * 

Pavia  with       Ut*  Atipcrton  the  parti  p;an  appeire,  884 

his  treasure,  IJ "  J  •  1        I      I         i  i 

His  aduersairc  anon  as  he  beheeld, 

His  coward  herte  ga?i  to  disespeire. 

Into  Pauye  for  fecr  he  gan  repeire, 

Took  his  tresour  in  purpos  anon  riht,  888 

For  verray  dreed  to  take  hym  to  the  fliht. 

and  then  Took  a  vessel  and  entrid  is  the  se, 

took  ship  \\j  •    ;  J  •!      1  !•    I 

and  was  Wzt^  sodeyn  tempest  assailed  &  dirknesse, 

drowned  inajT-i  i-ii-  i 

tempest.   Such  His  barge  pcrshid  Di  gret  adiiersite  892 

those' who  "     And  he  was  drownid  with  al  his  gret  richesse. 
w?rs"aga'in«°'^  Loo,  hcer  the  fyn  of  worldli  wrechidnesse, 
ne^hbours        Namli  of  them,  to  gete  gret  tresowrs 

That  gyne  werre  ageyn  ther  neih[e]bottrs.  896 


[How  Dediere   by  pope   Adryan  and   Charles   of 
Fraunce  was  put  to  flight  &  died  at  mischef.]  ^ 


^"*j  •  ^.TE^T  to  Bochas,  wit/j  heuy  look  &  cheere, 

Desiderius,  I  ^      ir  .       r  T  i  i  i   i  • 

king  of  X  ^    A^yng  ot  Luwbars  shewed  his  presence, 


appeared. '        CalHd  in  his  tyme  noble  Dedieer, 
fathe7  Agiiuif    Notable  in  armys  &  of  gret  excellence.  900 

the  p°cpe"''''^     And  wher  his  faddir  hadde  don  offence 
To  the  pope  and  ful  gret  duresse, 
This  kyng  caste  the  damages  to  redresse. 

Desidirius         Agistulphe  was  his  fadris  name,  004 

sought  to  make  .-°   •    i  i  ^•  ^  ^  • 

amends  by        Which  to  the  pope  did  gret  aduersite; 

presenting  the      -i-v  i   •    i     i   •  i   •      r 

Holy  See  with   T  Ot  which  his  soue  to  euctecc  his  tame, 

\LnzI,  °        Of  roial  fredam  and  magnanymyte 

And  off  benigne  liberalite,  908 

Gaff  to  the  pope  y^ith  humble  reuerence 
A  statli  cite  that  callid  is  Fayence. 

together  Thctwith  he  gaff  gret  tresoMr  &  gret  good,     [p,  418] 

treasure  and  a  As  he  that  Hst  of  frccdaw  uat  to  spare,  912 

in' FeTra^ra!^  *     A  mihti  castel  which  on  Tibre  stood 

Withyn?ie  the  boundis  &  lordship  of  Ferare, 

Which  is  a  cite,  pleynli  to  declare, 

884.   Of^  And  B,  And  of  J,  P  —  appeire]  to  appeire  B,  to  peyre 

R,  H  5.  885.   aduersaries  H. 

892.   His  barge]  And  he  was  H.  893.   And]  for  H. 

899.   Dedieer]  Desidere  P.  904.   Agistulphe]  Agilulphe  P. 

910.   is]  was  H  —  Fayence]  Fauence  P.      913.   castel]  Cite  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  171  verso. 


BK. 


IX] 


The  Story  of  Desiderius 


Of  antiquite,  myw  auctowr  tellith  so,  916 

And  stant  upon  the  ryuer  of  the  Po. 

This  Dedieer  regnyng  in  Luwbardie 

Gan  wexe  famous  at  his  [be]gyn«yng, 

Hadde  gret  name  vpon  ech  partie;  920 

But  in  this  eerthe  is  nothing  abidywg: 

Al  stant  on  chauwg;   &  Fortune  in  werkywg 

Is  fouwde  vnstable  &  double  of  hir  visage, 

Which  of  this  kywg  chauwged  the  corage,  924 

Ther  he  was  first  large  on  eueri  side. 

Liberal  fouwde  in  many  dyuers  wise. 

His  goodliheed  was  chauwgid  onto  pride 

And  his  largesse  onto  couetise.  928 

Of  doublenesse  he  gaw  anon  deuise 

To  cleyme  ageyn,  as  ye  shal  vndirstonde. 

His  seide  giftis  out  of  the  popis  honde. 

Which  Dedieer  hadde  made  alliauMce,  932 

As  the  cronicle  maketh  menciouw. 

With  kyng  Pepyn  regnyng  tho  in  France. 

AfFtir  whos  deth,  to  haue  pocessiouw 

And  ful  lordship  of  al  that  regiouw,  936 

He  gan  of  newe  fallyn  at  distauwce 

Bothe  with  the  pope  &  with  the  king  of  France. 

Of  presumpciouw  thes  werris  he  began 

Ageyn  his  promys,  of  double  variaunce;  940 

Pope  in  tho  daies  was  hooli  Adrian, 

Which  to  stynte  this*  trouble  &  gr^t  myschaunce, 

Requered  helpe  of  the  king  of  Frau7ice. 

And  grete  Charlis,  in  Bochas  as  I  reede,  944 

Canz  to  the  pope  to  helpyn  in  this  neede. 

Charlis  that  tyme  was  trewe*  protectowr 

To  hooli  cherche,  ther  pauys  and  diffence; 

Which  of  hool  herte  and  dilligent  labour  948 

With  Dedieer  be  manli  violence 

He  mette  in  Tuscan,  of  kingli*  excellence; 

Hadde  a  bataile  to  preeve  ther  bothe  myht: 

Charlis  victor;   Dedier  put  to  fliht.  952 


945 


He  grew 

famous 

and  prospered; 

but  nothing 

abides  here  on 

earth;  Fortune 

is  unstable, 


and  the  king 
became  proud 
and  covetous 
and  decided  to 
take  his  gifts 
back  again. 


He  had  also 
allied  himself 
with  Pepin  of 
France,  so  as 
to  get  posses- 
sion of  his 
kingdom  after 
his  death. 


and  now 
he  fell  out 
with  both 
Charlemagne, 
who  succeeded 
Pepin,  and 
Pope  Adrian. 


Charlemagne 
was  a  true 
protector 
of  the 

church,  and, 
meeting 
Desiderius  in 
Tuscany,  put 
bim  to  flight 


925.  Ther  he]  The  R.  929. 

938.  2nd  with]  om.  H,  R,  R  3. 

942.  this]  the  B,  J,  P.  945, 

946.  trewe]  cheef  B,  chief  J,  P. 

950.  knigH]knihtliB,  J  — of]&H. 


anon  he  gan  R. 

939.  thes]  the  R. 
this]  his  R. 

951.   bothe]  bothis  R. 


946 


Pope  John,  a  Woman  tvith  Child 


[bk.  IX 


and  UiJ  tirge 
to  PjivU,  where 
he  took  refuge. 
Starvation 
forced  him  to 
•urrtnder, 


and  he  was  tent 
to  prison  in 
France,  where 
he  died  at 
mischief.     He 
was  the  last 
king  of  the 
Lombards. 


As  I  fynde,  he  fledde  into  Pa  vie; 
Worthi  Charlis  leide  his*  siege  afForn, 
Constreyned  hem  upon  cch  partye, 
For  lak  of  vitaile  thci  wcr  ahiiost  lorn; 
Thei  \vanted[e]  lico//r,  greyn  and  corn. 
Be  sodeyn  constreynt  &  gret  aduersite 
To  kyng  Charhs  thei  yald  up  the  cite. 

Kyng  Dedieer  was  sent  into  Frau?tce, 

Wit/;  myhti  cheynis  fetrid  in  prisou7i; 

Lik  a  wrech,  in  sorwe  &  in*  penaunce, 

Deide  at  myscheef;   ther  geyned  no  raunsoun, 

Which  hadde  afforn  so  gret  pocessioun. 

Aftir  whos  day,  as  be  old  writyng, 

Among  Lumbardis  was  neuer  crownid  kyng. 


956 


960 


964 


[Off  pope  lohn  a  woman  wit/i  child  and  put  doun.3 


Rounded  and 

shorn  like  a 
bishop  and 
wearing  the 
broad  tonsure 
and  vestments 
of  a  priest, 
Pope  John,  a 


AFFTIR  thes  princis  rehersed  heer-toforn, 
Drownid  in  teres  cam  a  creature, 
Lik  a  bisshop  roundid*  &  Ishorn; 
And  as  a  prest  she  had  a  brod  tonsure, 
Hir  apparaille  outward  &  vesture, 
Beyng  a  woman,  wherof  Bochas  took  heed, 
Lik  a  prelat  shapyn  was  hir  weede. 

woman,  a         She  was  the  same  that  of  yore  agon 
prelate,  Vnworthily  sat  in  Petris  place; 

sat  in  the  chair  Was  afFtirward  callid  Pope  lohn, 
appeared""'      A  bcrdles  prelat,  non  her  seyn  on  hir  face. 

drowned  in 
tears  before 
Bochas. 


Of  hir  berthe  namyd  was  the  place, 
Mayence,  a  cite  stondyng  in  Itaille, 
Vpon  the  Reen,  ful  famous  of  vitaille. 


In  her  youth     In  hit  youthe  and  in  hir  tendre  age 

she  devoted  -^        .  ,  ,        *^ 

herself  to  the     Forsook  hir  kyn,  and  in  especial! 

liberal  sciences     ^^  .  i  i      r        i  ■ 

Laste  she  wolde  tor  hir  auauntage 


968 


972 


976 


980 


954.  his]  a  B,  J,  P.  959.   thei]  om.  R,  H,  R  3,  H  5. 

961.  myhti]  om.  R.  962.   2nd  in]  gret  B,  J,  H  5. 

969.  roundid]  Irouwdid  B,  I  rounded  J. 

972.  wherof]  theroff  R.       973.   hir]  his  R. 

975.  Vnworthily]  vnworthly  R. 

979.  Mayence]  Magonice  P  —  stondyng]  not  standing  P. 

980.  of  vitaille]  it  is  no  faile  H. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  171  verso. 


BK.  1X3 


Arnulph,  who  was  devoured  by  Lice 


947 


992 


419] 
996 


Ylue  hir  to  konyng,  bodi,  herte  &  all.  984 

And  [in]  the  science[s]  callid  liberall, 
In  alle  seuene,  bi  famous  excellence, 
Bi  gret  studie  she  hadde  experience, 

Hir  name  kouth  in  many  dyuers  lond.  988 

To  shewe  hir  cuwnywg  first  whan  she  began, 

Serchyng  prouynces  caw  to  Ing[e]lond, 

No  wiht  supposyng  but  that  she  was  a  maw; 

Cam  to  Roome,  hir  stori  telle  caw, 

Tauhte  gramer,  sophistre  [and]  logik, 

Redde  in  scoolis  openli  rethorik. 

In  the  tyme  of  emp^rowr  Lotarie,  [p. 

AfFtir  the  deth,  as  maad  is  menciouw,  — 

Fro  myw  aucto^r  yif  I  shal  nat  varie,  — 

That  the  pope  which  callid  was  Leoun, 

The  saide  woman  be  eleccioun 

Istallid  was,  supposyng  no  wiht  than  1000 

Be  no  tokne  but  that  she  was  a  man. 

The  book  of  sortis  aftir  that  anon. 

Of  auenture  tournid  up-so-doun; 

She  was  callid  &  namyd  Pope  John,  1004 

Of  whos  natural  disposicioun 

Fill  bi  processe  into  temptacioun: 

Quik  with  childe,  the  hour  caw  on  hir  than; 

Was  delyuered  at  Seynt  Ihon  Lateran.  1008 

AfFtir  put  doun  for  hir  gret  outrage, 

I  wil  on  hire  spende  no  more  labot^r, 

But  passe  ouer  al  the  surplusage 

Of  hir  lyuyng  and  of  hir  gret  erroMr;  1012 

Towrne  my  stile  to  themperowr 

Callid  Arnold,  &  write  his  pitous  chaunce, 

Sone  to  Charlis,  the  grete  kyng  of  Fraunce. 


and  became 
famous  for  her 
learning. 


She  went  to 
England, 
where 
all  people 
thought  she 
was  a  man, 
and  taught 
grammar,  logic 
and  rhetoric 
in  Rome. 


In  the  time 
of  the  emperor 
Lothair,  after 
the  death  of 
Pope  Leon,  she 
was  herself 
made  pope  by 
election  and 


called  Pope 
John.      Falling 
into  temp- 
tation, 

she  was  gotten 
with  child, 
delivered  at 
St.  Lateran 


and  afterwards 
put  down  for 
her  great 
outrage. 


[How  amold  son  to  Charles  of  Fraunce  was  eten 
with  lys  and  so  died.]  ^ 

To  this  Charlis,  as  bookis  determyne,  1016 

He  was  sone  nat  born  in  mariage, 
But  begetyn  of  a  concubyne; 


Arnulph,  a 
natural  son  of 
Carloman, 
king  of 
France, 


991.   No  wiht]  Nouht  R,  nouht  H. 
1015.   Charlis  the  grete^  Charlemaine  P. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  172  recto. 


993.   and]  om.  R. 


94S  A  proud  Prince  tormented  by  Lice  and  Worms      [bk.  ix 

r!Sjr^.i.o°t    '^f°^  upon  hym  of  surquedous  outrage, 

title  .J  emperor  Wjt/^oute  title  of  bcrtlie  or  Ivnatre,  1020 

of  the  Romani.  -.-^  i      i        r  ,  ,    ,.   ,  •i<-'.«i-' 

lo  succeede  be  fraude  and  fals  labour 
Among  Romeyns  to  regne  as  empcrour. 

SrVi'iVa''"'     ^^  ^^'^^  vngraclous  sittyng  in  that  estat, 

in  mischief  and  In  myschceff  spente  his  daies  euerichon,  1024 

died  eaten  up      •.-.j  •    .    i  ,  i    •     r  ^w^^ 

by  lice  and        \\  itb  Iccs  and  wcmiys  maad  uifortunat, 
Thoruh  skyn  and  flessh  fret  onto  Jie  bon. 
Crafft  of  medecyne  nor  soco;<r  was  ther  non, 
So  deepe  [he]  was  fret  in  his  entraille;  1028 

Deide  in  distresse;   no  leche  myhte  auaille. 

^  Thauctour  geyn  the  pride  of  Princis.* 

fo^a"hT?o    IVT'^^  auctour  Boch^j  stynt  heer  for  a  while, 
write  angrily      ItJ.   Sharped  his  pcnne  of  entencioun, 

of  the  sins  oi       r^  r  i   . 

tyrants.  Uan  ot  angre  to  transport  his  stile  10^2 

counselling  T"  •  rr     •  •      r  ^        j,  • 

them  to  A  o  write  ott  tirauntis  tor  ther*  transgressioun, 

p'r^uTArniiph,  Moor  wood  &  fell  than  any  scorpioun, 

Them  counseillyng,  whan  thei  be  most  bold. 

For  to  remembre  on  this  proude  Arnold.  1036 

Tttacked  by'     ^^  "^  .^^^  "^^  ^"  ^^^  pHdc  assailcd, 
wolves  or  lions  Nat  with  wolues,  tigres  nor  leouns, 

or  ravenous  ,j,.    ,  i  •,  i      i 

bears  or  wild     With  tauynous  bercs  nor  wilde  boor*  trauailed, 
mighty'  Nowthir  with  othir  myhti  champiouns,  1040 

mur'deredV"'  Which  hauc  conquered  many  regiouns; 
worms.  gy^.  ^j^}^  wermys  engendrid  of  his  kynde 

The  saide  Arnold  was  moordrid,  as  I  fynde. 

ffid"of''°^'''*  In  suich  disioynt  the  sayd[e]  Arnold  stood,  1044 

Charlemagne,    With  lecs  and  wermys  fret  ageyn  nature, 

he  was  so  rj^,  .,  -^  Jr'    -^     .  ' 

tormented         1  hat  was  SO  nihlej  born  of  Charlis  blood, 

by  hce  and  t  ,  ,  ' 

worms  that  he  Impotent  the  peyne  to  endure 


endure°the  pain.  Which  was  in  sooth  an  vnkouth  auenture,  1048 

That  a  prince  myht  nat  be  socourid 
Of  smale  wermys  for  to  be  deuourid. 

L^nce^w^''-^  Sret  exauwple,  who  list  considre  &  see, 
consider  how     To  princis  alle  for  tabate  ther  pride.  1052 

Lat  hem  considre  ther  fragilite, 

1023.   that]  his  H  —  estat]  state  R.  103 1.   of]  for  H. 

1033.   for  ther]  the  B,  J.  1035.    counseillyng]  coimsailid  H. 

1036.   on]  vpon  H.  1039.   nor]  with  H  —  boor]  wolues  B, 

bores  J,  P.         1044.   Arnolphe  R.         1046.   nihe]  myhty  R. 

^  The  following  heading  is  in  MS.  J.  leaf  172  recto:   "Bochas 
counceyleth  princys  to  remembre  on  Arnold." 


BK.  IX]| 


The  vicious  Pope  John  the  Tweljth 


949 


To  seen  an  emperour  [for]  to  abide* 

Thassaut  of  wermys  —  &  ley  ther  host  aside, 

In  this  Arnold  wisli  aduertise  1056 

How  God  hath  poweer  ther  powpe  to  chastise. 

Deth  of  Arnold  dide  my  penne  encouwbre 

For  the  gret  abhomynaciouw. 

^  Thaw  onto  Boch^j  cam  the  tuelue  in  noumbre,  1060 

Callid  Pope  lohn,  as  maad  is  menciouw, 

Entryng  be  fraude  and  fals  eleccioun, 

To  Goddis  lawe  froward  &  contrarie, 

Nat  lik  a  pastor  but  a  mercenarie.  1064 


God  has  power 
to  chastise 
their  pomp. 


The  death  of 
Arnulph  dis- 
gusted me. 
Then  came 
Pope  John, 
called  the 
Twelfth. 


pEIowe  pope  lohn  the  xij*'*®  for  lechery  &  vicious 
lif  was  put  doun.n  ^ 

Callid  afForn  he  was  Octauyan, 

Nothing  resemblyng  Petris  gouernauwce. 

Fro  the  tyme  in  Roome  that  he  began 

To  sitte  as  pope,  he  gaf  his  attendauwce  1068 

To  folwe  his  lust  &  his  flesshli  plesauwce,  — 

In  haukyng,  huntywg  stood  his  felicite, 

And  among  women  conuersauwt  to  bee. 

Vnto  surfet,  riot,  glotonye  [p.  420]  1072 

He  gafF  hym  hooli;   took  of  God  non  heede;* 

Gretli  disclauwdrid  he  was  of  lecherie; 

Kepte  in  his  court,  withoute  shame  or  dreed, 

A  noumbre  of  wommen,  in  cronicle  as  I  reed.        1076 

Too  cardinales  of  purpos  did  entende 

His  vicious  lyfF  to  correcte  &  amende. 

And  of  entent  thes  cardynalis  too 

The  cherch  esclaundrid  cast  hem  to  redresse;        1080 

Made  lettres,  sent  hem  to  Otto, 

Duk  of  Saxonye*,  that  he  sholde  him*  dresse 

Toward  Roome,  and  of  [his]  hih  noblesse 


who  entered 
by  fraud 
and  spent 
his  time  in 
hawking, 
hunting  and 
in  intercourse 
with  women. 


and  gave  him- 
self wholly  to 
riot,  gluttony 
and  excess. 
He  took  no 
heed  of  God; 
and  when  two 
cardinals  tried 
to  correct  him 


and  sent 
letters  to  Otto, 
Duke  of 
Saxony, 
requesting  him 
to  reform  the 
mischief. 


1054.  to  abide]  tabide  B  —  for]  om.  H,  R,  J,  R  3,  H  5. 

1060.  the]  ther  H,  R  3.       1062.   Entryng]  Entrid  R. 

1064.  but]  lik  H. 

1073.  now]  no  R  —  heede]  keep^  B,  kepe  J,  P. 

1080.  esclauwdrid]  disclauwdrid   H,  ensklandrid   H  5. 

1082.  Saxonye]  Saxoyne  B,  Saxone  R  —  him]  htm  B. 

1083.  hih]  om.  R,  J. 

1  MS  J.  leaf  172  recto. 


950  The  Fate  of  Pope  John  the  Twelfth  [bk.  ix 

On  hooli  cherchc  to  haue  compassloun,  1084 

Make  of  this  myscheef  iust  reformacioun. 

John  cut  off  the  This  Pooc  loliii,  whan  he  hath  parceyued 

nose  of  the  one  t\r  i   ■    -k  i  i  i  r  • 

«nd  the  hand    (,)t  liis*  caruyiiales  the  nianer  ot  writyng, 

And  how  the  duk  the  lettres  hath*  resccyued,       1088 

He  to  do  vengau/jce  made  no  tarieng; 

Bood  no  lenger,  this  lugement  yiuyng: 

Kitt  of  the  nose  felH  of  the  ton, 

Hond  of  the  tothir;   and  ech  was  callid  lohn.        1092 

The  Emp«ror    The  emperoMT  didfe]  his  lettres  sende 

wrote  to  him,      ^^        ,  .     "^  r  i         i       rr 

but  without       lo  this  pope  or  hool  arreccioun, 

finally  ll^e  was    Of  his  dcfautis  he  sholde  hym  amende. 

M^dinais.  ^        But  thet  was  fou[n]de  no  correccioun;  1096 

to'^writVan"y      Fot  vvhich  he  was  deposid  &  put  doun 

more  about  him.  gj  catdynalis  for  his  cursidnesse; 

Me  list  no  mor  write  of  his  wrechidnesse. 
Seeing  all  this    ^  For  his  defautis  &  his  gret  outrage  iioo 

mischief,  my        ~,   .      _    ,  "    ,  i         j    j       • 

author  prepared  1  his  lohu  put  dou«,  as  yc  haue  herd  deuise, 

openly  to  ■»  «•  r  •      i         i 

describe  the      Myn  auctour  artir  kauht  a  gret  corage, 
p^eUte°,  Seyng  this  myscheef  in  many  sondri  wise, 

In  hooli  cherch[e]  which  that  did  arise  1104 

Among  prelatis,  cast  hymseluen  blyue 
Ther  difFautis  openli  descryue, 

their  pride        Of  thet  pride  and  ther  presumpcioun. 

and  their  a       i        i   -i   i  ^•      •         i   • 

presumption;     And  whil  hc  gan  studie  m  this  mateer,  1108 

but  remembering TT  i  •       i   • 

a  verse  in  the    He  gan  rcmembre  anon  in  his  resoun 
not  touch  my    Vpon  a  vers  write[n]  in  the  Sauteer: 
mTugn"ga°nst   "  Touchc  nat  my  prophetis,  ne  neih  hem  nat  to  ner, 
them,"  ^Qj.  ageyn  hem,  be[th]  war  in  deed  &  thouht,       1112 

In  no  wise  that  ye  maligne  nouht." 

he  withdrew      YoT  this  cause,  as  ye  shal  vndirstonde, 
and  turned  to    Touchyng  this  matcet,  pleynli  as  I  reede, 
of" Lorraine"    Myn  auctowr  [Bochas]  gan  withdrawe  his  honde,  1116 
LefFt  his  purpos,  and  foorth  he  gan  proceede,  — 
To  whos  presence,  or  that  he  took  heede, 
Cam  a  prince,  Duk  Charlis  of  Loreyne; 
Hym  besouhte  to  write  his  greuous  peyne.  1120 

1085.  reformacioun3  informacion  R. 

1087.  his]  thes  B,  thise  J,  these  P.  1088.   hath]  haue  B. 

1096.  was]  om.  R.  iioi.    lohn]  Pope  R. 

1 105.  cast]  cauht  H.  mo.   writen]  om.  R. 

nil.  my]  om.  R.  11 12.   beth  war]  bewar  B,  J. 

1 1 17.  gan]  can  R. 


BK.  ix]       Charles  oj  Lorraine  who  died  of  Hunger 


951 


[Off  Charles  of  Lorejm  confounded  wit/i  hunger.]  ^ 

^  This  duk  of  Loreyne,  as  ye  shal  conceyue, 

Hadde  werre  with  the  kyng  of  Fraunce 

Callid  Hewe  Capet;   and,  as  I  apparceyue, 

An  archebishop,  the  kyng  to  do  plesaunce,  1124 

Of  hatreede  made  his  ordenauwce 

[AJgeyn  this  duk,  await  upon  hym  kepte. 

That  he  hym  took  abedde  whil*  he  slepte. 

The  said  bisshop  gan  falsli  vndermyne  1128 

This  worthi  duk,  bi  ful  fals  tresouw, 

Which,  as  I  fynde,  was  caUid  Ancelyne; 

And  he  was  bisshop  that  tyme  of  Leouw. 

Which  be  fraude  &  fals  coUusioun 

Took  this  prince  that  was  duk  of  Loreyne, 

And  to  the  kyng  he  brouht  hym  bi  a  treyne. 

Bi  whom  he  was  delyuered  to  prisouw, 

To  Orlyanes,  and  with  cheynis  bouwde.  1136 

What  was  his  eende  is  maad  no  mewcioun; 

But  in  a  pet  horrible  &  profouwde, 

MischeefF  with  hunger  did  hym  so  cowfouwde, 

That,  I  suppose,  this  duk  of  Loreyne  1140 

Consumyd  was  for  constreynt  of  his  peyne. 


This  duke  was 
at  war  with 
Hugh  Capet 
and  was  taken 
in  bed  by  an 
archbishop. 


Ascelin 
of  Laon, 


II32 


who  delivered 
him  to  the 
king,  who  in 

turn  sent  him 
to  prison  in 
Orleans,  where 
he  was  confined 
in  a  horrible 
deep  pit  and 
probably  died 
of  hunger. 


[How  Iqmg  Salamon  whilom  kynge  of  Hungery  was 
put  to  flight.]  2 

AFFTIR  to  Bochas  in  nouwbre  ^er  cam  doun 
Princis  foure;   and  ech  for  his  partie 
Ther  greuys  tolde;   and  first  king  SalamoM,  1144 

Which  that  whilom  regned  in  Hungrie, 
Bothe  fool  &  coward,  bookis  specefie. 
Void  of  resouw,  noised  of  ignorauwce. 
And,  at  a  poynt,  koude  no  purueiaunce.  1148 

Fortune  also  did  at  hym  disdeyne; 
For  he  was  nouther  mawli  nor  coraious. 
Ageyn[es]  whom  wer  worthi  princis  tweyne; 

I123.    Hewe]  huhe  R,  heugh  H,  Hugh  J,  R  3  —  apparceyue] 

parceyue  R.  1127.   whil]  whan  B. 

1 128.  The]  This  R,H.         1 130.  Which]  &  H  — was]  he  was  H. 
1 135.   delyuered]  committid  H.  II44-   Ther]  That  R. 


Four  princes 
then  appeared 
to  Bochas. 
The  first.  King 
Salomon  of 
Hungary,  a 
fool  and  a 
coward. 


^  MS.  J.  leaf  127c. 


2  MS.  J.  leaf  i27d. 


952  Salamoji  and  Pietro  of  Hungary  []bk.  ix 

wtichatej        ZcFta  was  ooii,  witli  LaucHsalus,  1152 

out  of  his  „  .  I  I  J  ^ 

region  by  two     t  amous  111  amiys,  notable  and  vertuous;  — 

notable  and  t»       i  t''     i  l 

virtuous  prin-     notlic  attonis  gcyn  Salamon  ca?n  doun 

andGeyi"'    And  made  hyni  flcen  out  of  his  regioun. 

anaBochas       THoruli  liis  viiliappi  froward  cowardise,  [p.  421]  1156 

wrote  no  more    r^,.  ■       ,  ,-  i  i-^- 

about  him.         1  hcf  \vas  HI  liyni  tou/;dc  no  dirrcnce; 

Flilit  was  his  sheclde,  hst  nat  in  no  wise 

Geyn  his  enmyes  make  resistence; 

Failled  herte  to  come  to  presence  1160 

To  saue  his  lond,  he  dradde  hymselue  so  sore, 

Of  whom  Bochflj  writ  in  his  book  no  more. 

[How  Petro  kyng  of  Hungery  was  slayn.]  ^ 
King  Pietro  of  ^  Anothit  kyng  heer  put  in  remembrance 

Hungary  was       ^^    n-  i    t-»  •       U  c 

malicious  and    CaUid  Tetto,  regnyng  m  Hungrye,  1164 

Send  Chfries  For  his  defautis  ageyn  the  ky?;g  of  France 
put^^urhis"*'"  IcalHd  CharHs,  of  mahs  &  folic, 
eyes  and  slew    g    indignacioun,  this*  was  his  tormentrie: 

His  eyen  put  out,  —  ther  was  no  bet  socowr  —     1168 
And  aftir  slayn  be  doom  of  themperowr. 

[How  Diogenes  the  emperour  was  take  and  eiene 
put  out.]  - 

Ernest,  Duke     ^  AfFtir  to  Bochas  ther  caw  tweyne  on  l^e  rywg, 

of  Swabia,  who   t^     .         r  o  tt  t  j 

opposed  the      Duk  01  bwcuc,  Hcrmcst,  as  1  reede, 

wrsTa°nis"ed'^'  Gcyn*  thcmp^rowr  first  mahciousli  werki[n]g,        1172 

savage'^wlu     Hcrry  themp^rowr  regnywg  tho  in  deede. 

in  a  forest,        g^.  \q^  p,jg  malis,  this  was  his  fatal  meede: 

where  he  was  ' 

slain-  Banshed  to  duelle  among  beestis  most  sauage, 

Slayn  in  a  forest  for  his  gret  outrage.  1176 

After  Constan-   ^  Whan  Constantyw  departed  from  this  lyfF, 
Grlec°e  died,      Which  of  al  Grccc  was  lord  and  gou^rno7/r, 
ki^°g\Ttuc-       Be  mariage  of  hire  that  was  his  wifF, 
Collndnopfe,  A  kniht  Diogenes  was  maad  emperowr;  1180 

Fortune  to  hym  dide  so  gret  fauoztr, 

1152.  Zerta]  Herta  J,  Geysa  P.  1159.   make]  made  H. 

1 164.  Petre  H.  1167.   this]  that  B,  J. 

1 171.  Sueuie  P  —  earnest  P. 

1 172.  Gey7i]  Ageyn  B,  J,  R  3,  P.  1173.   Henry  P. 
1 175.  among]  mong  R  3  —  most]  om.  J,  P. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  172  verso.  ^  MS.  J.  leaf  172  verso. 


BK.  IX] 


The  Fate  of  Diogenes  Romanus 


953 


iij 


1192 


Constawtynople  holdyng  in  his  hond, 
As  souereyn  prince  of  al  Grekis  lond. 

Yet  ther  wer*  summe  that  gruchched  {)^rageyn     1184 

And  hadde  of  hym  gret  indignacioun. 

The  kyng  of  Perse,  Belset  Tarquemayn, 

From  hyw  be  force  took  many  a  regiouw; 

Mesopotanye  to  his  pocessioun 

Took  be  strong  hand,  thoruh  his  cheualrie, 

Maugre  Diogenes,  &  al-most  al  Surrie. 

Belset  Tarquemayn  made  hymself  so  strong, 

Bi  manli  force  Diogenes  tassaile; 

And  for  Diogenes  thouhte  he  did  hym  wrong, 

He  gan  ordeyne  gret  stuff  &  apparaile; 

A  day  assigned,  thei  mette  in  bataile, — 

Diogenes  of  froward  auenture 

He  and  his  knihtis  brouht  to  disconfiture. 

Take  he  was  and  brouht  be  gret  disdeyn, 

In  whom  as  tho  ther  was  no  resistence, 

To  kyng  Belset  callid  Tarquemayn. 

And  wha7i  he  cam  onto  his  presence, 

Ageyn[e]s  hym  was  youe  this  sentence: 

To  lyn  doun  plat,  and  the  kyng  Belsette 

Sholde  take  his  foot  and  on  his  throte  it  sette.      1204 

This  was  doon  for  an  hih[e]  despiht, 

Diogenes  brouht  foorth  on  a  cheyne, 

Withoute  reuerence,  fauowr  or  respiht, 

At  gret[e]  feestis  assigned  was  his  peyne;  1208 

And  aldirlast  put  out  his  eye[n]  tweyne. 

The  wheel  of  Fortune  tourneth  as  a  ball; 

Sodeyn  clymbyng  axeth  a  sodeyn  fall. 


although  some 
men  grumbled, 
among  them 
Belsech  Turco- 
man, who  took 
Mesopotamia 
and  nearly  all 
Syria  away 
from  him. 


Diogenes  con- 
sidered himself 
wronged  and 
met  Belsech 
in  battle,  but 
was  defeated 


1 196 


1200 


and  brought 
before  his 
conqueror, 
who  after 
compelling 
him  to  lie 
down  on  the 
ground,  set 
his  foot  on 
his  throat 
in  despite. 


Diogenes  was 
afterwards 
exhibited  at 
festivals  and 
finally  his  eyes 
were  put  out. 


[How  Robert  duk  of  Normandie  fauht  with  turkes 
was  named  to  the  crowne  of  lerusalem  &  died  at 
mischef .]  ^ 

AWORTHI  prince  spoke  of  in  many  rewm,  1212  ^{"^t^^^"^*'^!^ 
Noble  Robert,  duk  of  Normandie,  was  a  worthy 

Chose  to  the  crowne  of  Iherusalem; 

1184.  wer]  was  B,  H  5,  P.  1186.  Belset]  belsate  H,  Belsech 
P  —  Tarquemayn]  Tarquenyayne  J,  Tarquynyan  H,  Turco- 
mane  P.  1191.  Tarquynyan  H,  Tarquenyan  J. 

1200.    Belsech  Tarcomene  P  —  Tarquynyayn  H. 

1204.   throte]  bak  H,  bake  R  3. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  173  recto. 


prmce. 


954  '^^-'^  Story  of  Robert  of  Normandy  [bk.  ix 

He  refused  ii.e    But  for  causc  lie  didc  it  denye, 

crown  of 


erusaiem.wi.ich  Kortune  av  linddc  onto  hyw  enuye.  1216 

Fortunes  1  he  same  Robert  next  in  order  was 

«vour.  That  cam  to  pleyne  liis  fall  onto  Bochas. 

Together  with    Yox  Cristis  fcith  tliis  niyhti  chanipiouw, 
Bouillon  he       This  Duk  Robcrt,  arniyd  in  plate  &  maile,  1220 

Turks*  and        Wi't/^  mawli  Godfrey,  Godfrey  Bollioun, 
Saracens.  Agcytifes]  Turkis  fauht  a  gret  bataille, 

For  Cristes  feith  that  it  sholde  auaille 
To  susteene  his  lawe  in  ther  entent  1224 

To  alle  the  kyngis  of  the  Occident. 

who  sought  to  Of  Turkis,  Sarsyns  was  so  eret  a  noumbre, 

destroy  Christ  s  ^^  ,^    .      .     ,     "^  i        i  • 

faith,  and  with  Ueyn  Lristis  lawe  gadred  a  puissaunce, 

kings'of"     *   The  feith  of  Crist  falsli  to  encouwbre:  1228 

Normandy  and  But  thcf  wcF  maad[e]  hasti  ordenaunce 

Uiem"  "^'^"""^  Be  kynges  of  Inglond,  Normandie  &  Fraunce; 

First  to  socoure  did  his  besi  peyne 

Godfrey  Bollioun,  that  was  duk  of  Loreyne,  1232 

Robert  was       Which  OH  Sarsyns  made  a  disconfiture, 

chosen  king  ^  ,  T'       i   •        r  i      i  i  i 

of  Jerusalem;     Maugre  1  urkis,  tor  al  ther  cruel  mynt. 

In  which  bataille  Crist  made  hym  to  recure 

The  feeld  that  day  for  to  supporte  his  riht,  1236 

Wher  said  Robert  was  founde  so  good  a  kniht, 

That  for  his  noblesse,  be  report  of  writyng, 

Of  Iherusalem  was  namyd  to  be  kyng. 

but  he  would    Asscntid  nat  onto  the  eleccioun,         [p.  422]         1240 
because  his       Becausc  of  ncwe  that  he  did  vndirstonde 

older  brother       Tfiii  ^  •       r  i  i* 

William  had      His  eider  brotnir,  tor  short  co7iclusioun, 

fnd  he  waf '""^Icallid  William  was  ded  in  Inglond; 

the  next  heir.    Knowyng  hymsilf[e]  next  heir  to  that  lond,  1244 

Forsook  Iherusalem,  and  lik  a  manli  kniht 
Cam  to  Inglond  for  to  cleyme  his  riht. 

He  went  to       And  yit  ot  he  cam  he  hadde  knouleching, 
found  his         His  yonger  brothir,  [that]  callid  [was]  Herry,         1248 
He"n"ry"c rowne"  Had  take  upon  hym  to  be  croyvnid  kyng; 
he" waT rightful  Told  his  lordis  and  princis  fynalli 
being ^"inllf     ^e  was  next  heir;   entrid  rihtfulli 
Jerusalem.        As  cnhcritowr  to  succecdc  in  that  rewm,  1252 

His  brother  beyng  kyng  of  Iherusalem. 

1229.   ordenaunce]  purveiaunce  H.  1238.   of]  and  R. 

1240.   onto]  to  R.  1247.   And]  om.  H,  R  3. 

1248.  yonger]  yong  R.       1249.  upon]  on  H.       1252.  As]  an  R 


BK.  IX] 


Robert  of  Normandy  and  Henry  I. 


955 


God  wot  the  cas*  stood  al  in  d^er  wise: 

The  said[e]  Duk  Robert  of  Normawdie 

Purposed  hym  be  marcial  emprise  1256 

From  his  brother  to  take  the  regalie. 

Took  his  princis  and  his  cheualrie; 

Thouhte  he  wolde,  Hk  a  manli  kniht, 

Arryue  in  Inglond  and  reioysshe  his  riht.  1260 

Bothe  in  o  feeld  assembHd  on  o  day, 

The  brethre  tweyne,  ech  with  strong  partie 

To  darreyne,  and  make  no  delay, 

Euerich  with  othir  to  holde  chauwpartie.  1264 

But  whan  the  lordes  this  mischeef  did  espie, 

Thei  besied  hem  and  wer  nat  rek[e]les 

Atween  the  brethre  to  refourme  pes. 

The  said[e]  brethre  wer  fulli  condescendid  1268 

Vpon  this  poynt,  for  short  cowclusioun. 

As  in  thaccord  was  iustli  cowprehendid: 

Herry  to  holde  and  haue  pocessiouw 

Duryng  his  lyff  of  al  this  regioun,  1272 

And  Robert  sholde  haue  for  his  partie 

A  sumwe  of  gold  with  al  Normawdie. 

Thre  thousand  pound,  put  in  remembrance, 

Ech  yeer  to  Robert  sent  fro  this  regioun,  1276 

Of  which[e]  pay  to  make  ful  assuraunce 

Was  leid  hostages,  as  maad  is  mencioun. 

But  yit  of  newe  fill  a  discencioun 

Atwixe  the  brethre,  of  hatreede  &  envie,  1280 

For  certeyn  castellis  that  stood  in  Normandie, 

Which  castel[lis]  longed  of  heritage 

Vnto  the  kyngis  iurediccioun. 

Of  which  the  duk  took  his  auauntage,  1284 

Maugre  the  kyng,  &  heeld  pocessioun  — 

Torned  aftir  to  his  confusioun. 

And  whan  the  kyng  did  this  thing*  espie. 

With  strong[e]  bond  cam  into  Normandie,  1288 

Wher  the  duk  was  leid  a  siege  aboute. 
Made  ordenaunce  to  recure  his  riht; 
Gat  the  castel;   took  his  brother  oute; 


So  Robert 
proposed  to 
take  the 
kingdom  by 
force, 


and  both 
sides  met  on 
the  field  of 
battle;    but 
before  the  fight 
began,  the 
lords  inter- 
vened, and  the 
brothers 


agreed 

to  let  Henry 
keep  his  crown 
in  England, 
Robert  to  have 
Normandy  and 
£3000  a  year. 


But  a  new 
quarrel  broke 
out  about 
certain 
Norman 
castles. 


which 

belonged  by 
inheritance  to 
the  king,  and 
of  which 
Robert  took 
possession. 


Henry  came  to 
Normandy 
with  a  strong 
force,  took  his 
brother  Robert 


1254.  cas]  cause  B,  J,  H  5.  12159.   Thouhte]  thouh  H. 

1261.  ist  o]  the  H,  a  R,  R  3,  H  s  —  2nd  o]  a  R,  J,  R  3,  P. 

1282.  castell  R. 

1287.  did  this  thing]  this  thiwg  did  B,  J,  P. 


956  The  Death  of  Robert.     Josselyn  [bk.  ix 

•nJ,.    .         Emprisowned  hym  of  verray  force  &  myht;  1292 

put  him  in  T      a-     1  11  C  -I  ^ 

rrifc^n.  wiicre     Lcttt  liyiii  alloiie  out  ot  meii/iys  suit 

he  remained   U    c  ^  ^i  •    i 

years  until  he    rouftcciie  yccf,  the  croniclc  writ  so; 
'    ■  Ther  he  deide  in  myscheefF  and  in  wo. 

While  Bochas     ^  Whll  Rochas  was  besi  in  his  labo//r  1296 

was  busy  with     ,  ,.      ,  ,  ,.      ,  ■    ,  ,,,. 

his  book,  the     1  lis  Dook  tacowpussli  With  gfct  diUigcnce, 

Kmpcror  't-      i  i      i 

Henry  IV.         lo  hym  appccrcd  the  grete  eniperour 
"■^mpiiin™     Callid  Kerry,  shewyng  his  presence; 
Kreat'  *"" *       G^xx  co^^pleyne  of  the  grete  offence  1300 

unkindness;       Doon  to  hym,  the  myscheeff  and  distresse, 
Bi  his  sonys  gret  vnkyndenesse. 

for  he  The  which[e]  sone  was  callid  eek  Herry, 

bound  his  /-^         i  •  ■  i       r  •  ■         i 

father  in  chains  (jretli  accusid  oi  mgratitudc,  1304 

and  let  him  die  /-^  i  i   ^  j"  ^  If 

in  prison.         L-ause  he  wrouhte  so  disnaturalli: 

Took  his  fadir  with  force  &  multitude, 

Bounde  and  cheynid,  shortli  to  conclude; 

And  aftirward,  ther  geyned  no  raunsouw,  1308 

At  gret  myscheef  deied  in  prisoun. 

[How  locelyne  prince  of  Rage  for  pride 
slouthe  &  lecherie  died  in  pouert.]  ^ 

Next  in  order  'VTEXT  in  ordrc,  with  trist  &  ded  visage, 

w^thsadand'  -L^    Vnto  Bochflj"  to  shewc  his  hcuynesse 

He  wlJ^^rlnce  Cam  locclyn,  lord  &  prince  of  Rage,  1312 

fii^uf  aty,  Which  is  a  cite  famous  of  richesse. 

himS^to  ^^^  t^^s  prince,  myn  auctOMr  berth  witnesse, 

lechery  and  '^2iS  gretly  youe  to  slouthc  &  slogardie, 

And  al  his  lust  he  sette  in  lecherie.  1316 

idleness  and      LefFt  his  lordship  out  of  gou^mauwcc, 

neglected  his        „        ,     ,        r       •    j  o     j- 

realm  and  lost  t  OX  lak  01  wisdam  &  discreciouw; 
"  ?ch"a^de°gree  In  flesshli  lust[es]  set  al  his  plesaunce; 


to  sue 


And  to  the  contres  aboute  hym  enviroun  1320 

He  was  nat  had  in  reputacioun: 

Certeyn  princis,  my«  auctowr  doth  descryue, 

Of  his  lordship  cast  hyw  to  depryve. 

that  several      Amongis  which  the  prince  of  Alapie,     [p.  423]      1324 

kings  laid  ~    ...  ,"^  ,  .        ,        ,. 

siege  to  his       Callid  bangwyn,  the  stori  who  list  see, 
city  an  ,  r^^  losalyn  hauyng  gret  envie, 

1292.   Enprisowned  R.  1293-  ofj  of  his  R. 

1299.   shewyng]  shewid  H.  1309-   At]  A  R. 

1319.   lustesj  lust  J,  P.  1325.   Sagnine  P. 

MS.  J.  leaf  173  verso. 


BK.  ix]         The  Story  of  Andronicus  I.  Comnenus 


957 


Leide  a  siege  to  Rages  his*  cite, 

He  beyng  absent  ferr  fro  that  centre.  1328 

And  thus  for  slouthe  &  wilful  necligence, 

Rages  was  take  be  myhti  violence. 

And  losalyn  comaundid  to  prisoun; 

To  hym  Fortune  was  so  contrarious:  1332 

Lost  his  lordship  and  domynaciouw. 

Loo,  hear  the  fyn  of  folkis  vicious; 

Slouh,  delicat,  proud  and  lecherous, 

Deide  in  pouert,  in  myscheef  &  in  neede;  1336 

Of  vicious  pnncis,  loo,  heer  the  fynal  meede! 


capturing  him, 
put  him  in 
prison,  where 
he  died.     Such 
is  the  final 
reward  of 
proud  and 
vicious  princes. 


[|How  the  Emperoifl"  Andronycus  slouh  all  that  were 
of  the  blood  Roial  cherysshed  vicious  peple  and 
aftir  was  honget.]  ^ 

AS  verray  heir  and  trewe  successowr 
Bi  elecciouw  and  also  bi  lynage, 
Cam  AndronicMj,  as  lord  &  emperowr,  1340 

Constawtynople,  crownid  yong  of  age, 
Next  to  Bochas,  yvith  trist  &  pale  visage, 
Besechyng  hym  to  doon  his  besi  cure 
To  remembre  his  woful  auenture.  1344 

Among  Grekis,  be  stori  and  scripture. 

This  Andronicus  gouernid  nat  ariht; 

Ageyn[es]  lawe  &  eek  ageyn  nature, 

Fouwde  with  his  sustir  flesshli  on  a  niht;  1348 

Bothe  of  assent[e]  took  hem  to  the  fliht, 

Ageyn[es]  hym  his  cosyn  was  so  fell. 

Lord  of  that  contre  callid  Emanvell. 

For  a  tyme  stood  as  a  man  exilid  1352 

For  his  discenciouns  and  many  vwkouth  stryfF; 

Bi  his  pnncis  afftir  reconciled, 

Stondyng  in  hope  he  sholde  amende  his  lyfF. 

But  in  the  tyme  that  he  was  fugitiflF,  1356 

He  was  maad  lord,  &  stood  so  for  a  while 

Regnyng  in  Pontus,  of  Asie  a  gret  ile. 

In  this  while  Emanuel  was  ded. 

Fall  in  gret  age,  the  stori  tellith  thus,  1360 

1327.   his]  the  B,  J.  1331.   to]  vnto  R. 

1341.   crownid]  crownyng  R.  I347-   eek]  om.  H. 

1349.  took]  to  R.        1352.  2nd  a]  om.  R.       1355.  his]  om.  H. 
MS.  J.  leaf  173d. 


Andronicus  I., 
who  was  the 
rightful 
emperor  in 
Constanti- 
nople, came  to 
Bochas  and 
besought 
him  to 
remember 
his  story. 


He  did  not 
rule  justly  and, 
discovered  one 
night  with  his 
sister,  fled  for 
fear  of  his 
cousin 
Manuel. 


For  a  time  he 
was  an  exile, 
but  afterwards 
his  princes, 
hoping  he 
would  amend 
his  life,  became 
reconciled  to 
him,  and  he 
reigned  in 
Pontus. 


958  The  Story  of  Andronicus  I .  Comnenus  [|bk.  IX 

Manuel  died  Hauyng  a  cliild,  &  he,  who  list  take  heed, 

called  .Melius.  \Vhil  he  duelled  in  his  fadris  hous 

tutor  of  the  Aiiiong  Gielcis  callid  Alexivs; 


aame  name. 


And  the  tuto;/r  he  was  assigned  too  1364 

Icalhd  was  Alexivs  also. 

This  tutor        The  same  that  was  assigned  his  tuto/^r, 

took  all  the         „,       ,  ,  ,      ,        *" 

power  in  1  ooK  upo//  liyni  al  the  goucrnaunce 

to° himi«if;°'' '  And  ful  powccF  as  lord  &  emperowr,  1368 

Hadde  al  thempire  vndir  his  obeissaunce; 

Princis,  lordis  gafF  to  hym  attendaunce; 

\\  her  that  he  was  present  or  absent, 

Ech  thyng  was  doon  at  his  comauridement.  1372 

but  he  was  a     \  meenc  as  thus:   he  had  al  in  his  hond 

tyrant,  and  his    ^^  ,  .  -  , 

subjects  decided  Constantynopie,  cite  or  gret  substauwce; 
iai"back"to°"   But  for  cxtorsiouns  which  he  did  in  the  lond 
throne!^"'*'      On  his  sogettis,  and  for  mysgou<?rnaunce,  1376 

AniOMg  the  lordis  it  fill  in  remembraunce, 
Alle  of  assent  in  hert[e]  gan  desire 
Calle  Andronicus  ageyn  to  his  empire. 

No  sooner  was   Basscnt  rcstotid  and  crownid  emperowr,  1380 

Andronicus  m       ^-^  ,  ,  . 

Constantinople  Constantynopic  enttyng  the  cite, 

airthe'royaT      Besied  hym  be  fraudulent  labot/r 

a''^ncTcTued  Al  the  blood  born  of  the  imperial  see 

Isaac.  Pqj.  ^q  |jg  slayn,  of  vengable  cruelte,  1384 

Be  iugement  of  this  Andronicus, 

Except  a  prince  callid  Isacivs. 

He  was  as        Thus  in  cfFect  the  trouthe  was  weel  seene, 

revengeful  in     He  was  vengable  last  in  his  old  age,  1388 

old  age  as  in       TV  -I  ^  <  •       i  • 

his  youth,  and  Kiht  as  he  was  m  his  yeeris  greene, 
Felli  gouerned,  ful  off  fals  outrage, 
Last  of  alle,  malicious  of  corage. 
Took  to  counsail,  in  Grece  he  was  thus  namyd,    1392 
Al  suich  as  wern  disclaundrid  or  difFamyd. 

associated  with  Homycidcs  he  hadde  in  his  housholde, 

defamed  men,      rT-^•  •        i  i  r      i      •!  • 

homicides  and    1  irauntis  that  wrouhte  ageyn[esj  nhtwisnesse; 
no^womar""^  Chetisshed  all  that  hardi  wern  and  bolde  1396 

Widwes,  wyues  &  maidenes  to  oppresse;* 

Ribaudie  was  callid  gentilesse; 

Spared  nouther,  he  was  so  lecherous, 

Women  sworn  chast  nor  folk  religious.  1400 

1393.   or]  &  H.  1397.   toppresse  B. 


BK.  1x3  ^^^  Story  of  Ayidronicus  I.  Comnenus 


959 


Hadde  also  no  maner  conscience 

To  pile  his  sogettis  falsli  be  rauyne; 

Took  what  hym  list  be  iniust  violence; 

To  alle  vices  his  youthe  he  did  enclyne.  1404 

And  alle  that  wer[e]n  of  the  roial  lyne 

Wer  slayn  echon,  except  Isacivs, 

As  I  told  erst[e],  bi  Andronicvs. 

As  I  fynde,  for  hym  in  haste  he  sente,     [p.  424]  1408 

For  this  purpos  to  come  to  his  presence, 

To  moord[e]ren  hym,  this  was  his  entente; 

Be  dyuers  toknes  and  many  euidence. 

And  fully  knew  the  fyn  of  his  sentence,  1412 

He  lik  a  prince  list  [to]  come  no  neer; 

Smet  of  the  hed[e]  of  the  massageer. 

And  afFtir  that,  of  mawli  prouidence. 

Mid  the  cite  shewed  hyw  lik  a  kniht; 

Praied  lordis  to  yiue  hym  audience, 

Princis,  iuges  for  to  doon  hym  riht. 

That  he  myht  declaren  in  ther  siht 

Gret  iniuries,  damages  outragious  1420 

Wrouht  bi  themperour  callid  Andronicus. 

"0  citeseyns,  that  knowen  al  the  guise 

Oi  youv  emperour  callid  Andronicus; 

Nat  emperour,  so  ye  list  aduertise,  1424 

But  a  tiraunt  cruel  &  furious, 

A  fals  moordrer,  vengable,  despitous. 

Hath  of  newe,  of*  frowar[d]  fals  corage 

Slayn  of  thempire  hooli  the  lynage.  1428 

Ther  is  alyue  left  non  of  the  blood 

Sauf  I  allone  of  the  roial  lyne; 

For  Andronicus  lik  a  tirauwt  wood 

Hath  slay[e]n  echon,  breeffli  to  termyne;  1432 

His  suerd  of  vengaunce  thei  myhte  nat  declyne. 

Now  purposeth  of  mortal  tiranwye, 

Slen  me  also  that  am  of  ther  allie. 

Requeryng  you  in  this  consistorie,  1436 

O  citeseyn[e]s  that  heer  present  bee. 

To  remembre  and  calle  to  memorie 

How  this  famous  imperial  cite 

Hath  ay  be  redi  to  doon  equite,  1440 

1405.   And]  To  R.  1413-   to]oOT.R  —  neer]wereR. 

1427.  of)  and  B,  R,  P,  &  H  5.  1435.  ther]  ^\s  H. 


and  pillaging 
his  subjects 
by  unjust 
violence. 


He  sent  for 
Isaac  with  the 
intention  of 
murdering 
him;  but 
Isaac  smote 
off  the  head 
of  the 
messenger 


and  prayed  the 
lords  and 
1416    princes  of  the 
city  to  do  him 
justice,  saying, 


"O  citizens, 
you  know  that 
the  cruel 
tyrant 
Andronicus 
has  slain  all 
the  royal 
blood 


except 
me  alone, 
whom  he  now 
purposes  to 
destroy. 


"I  beg  you 
to  remember 
that  this  city 
has  always 
been 

ready  to  do 
justice  and 


960  T)?e  Fate  of  Andronicus  I.  Comnenus  ^bk.  ix 

rerrew  the  gesi  also  of  thcF  lilli  noblcsse 

wrong  of  ...  -     .  ,. 

tyrant*.  vV  ropg  ot  tirauntifj  manli  to  represse. 

"Phiiowphcrs  Ph  Hi  soph  res  and  poetis  eek  deuise, 

and  poets  say  -         ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

that  the  blood  In  thef  sawcs  prudent  and  notable,  1444 

of  tyrants  is  am         ^       c     •  •      •  ii  r 

noble  sacrifice,  dIooo  ot  tiruu/itis  IS  noblc  sacrchse 

and,  since  you 


are  ju 


st,"vcigh  To  God  aboue*,  whan  thei  be  vengable. 


in'baTa"nc"'      And  sith  ye  bee  rihtful,  iust  &  stable, 

In  yoHV  werkis  void  of  variaunce,  1448 

Weieth  this  mateer  iustU  in  ballaunce." 

The  people       The  peeple  echon,  alle  of  oon  assent, 

agreed  to  put      „         "^       "^  r     i  •       A      j 

down  Andronicus  1<  or  outtages  ot  this  Andronicus 

islac^  ^^        Put  hym  doun  be  rihtful  iugement,  145a 

betoorhi'mscif  In  whos  place  set  up  Isacius. 

to  a  fortress,     yj^g  g^j^j  tiraunt,  froward  &  furious, 

Gan  maligne  and  hymsiluen  dresse 

In  his  difFence  to  take  a  forteresse.  1456 

but  was  It  halpe  hym  nat  to  make  resistence, 

stripped 'of  his  So  as  he  stood[e]  void  of  al  fauowr; 

garments^  one      n       *  i   i  i   i  •    i  * 

of  his  eyes       begid  he  was,  and  be  violence,* 

rent  out,  and     ]y[3ugj.e  ^ig  myht[e],  rent  out  of  that  tour;  1460 

Spoilled  cruelli;   fond  no  bet  socour, 
Stood  al  nakid,  quakyng  \n  his  peyne; 
And  first  rent  out  oon  of  his  eien  tweyne. 

compelled  to     And  ouetmor  he  hadde  this  reward,  1464 

ride  backwards    -,17.    ,  1      1     r    i  •! 

on  an  ass,         Withoutyn  heip[ej,  socowr  or  respint, 
to  his  tail,  to    Rood  On  an  asse,  his  face  set  bakward, 
aiuhe 'peop°e.   The  assis  tail  holdyng  for  despiht. 

Whom  to  beholde  the  peeple  hath  deliht;  1468 

To  poore  and  riche  thoruhout  the  cite 
Hym  to  rebuke  was  grantid  liberte. 

After  that,  he    AfFtit  al  this,  in  a  carte  sette 

W3S  tskco  out 

of  the  city        And  vengabH  lad  out  ofF  the  tou«,  1472 

iTanged^ amidst   Be  doom  Ihangid  on  an  hih  gibet. 

cia^ur^untii    The  peeple  on  hym,  to  his  confusiouw, 

he  died.  Made  [a]  clamowr  and  terrible  soun, 

Wolde  neuer  fro  the  galwes  weende  1476 

Til  in  myscheeff  bi  deth  he  made  an  eende. 

1445.  noble]  notable  H,  R  3.       1446.    abofF  B. 

1459.  violence]  benivolence  B. 

1467.  for]  so  of  H. 

1472.  vengabli]  vengable  R. 

1475-  a]  o'"-  R»  J>  H  5  —  and]  and  a  H,  R  3,  P. 


BK.  1X3 


An  Envoy  on  Andronicus 


961 


Lenvoye. 

IN  this  tragedie,  ageyn  AndronicMJ- 
Bochas  maketh  an  exclamacioun, 
And  ageyn  alle  princis  vicious,  1480 

Whil  thei  haue  poweer  and  domynacioun 
Be  tirannye  vse  extorsiouw, 
Concludyng  thus:*  that  ther  fals  lyuyng 
Of  riht  requereth  to  haue  an  euel  eendywg.  1484 

IndifFerentU  this  tirauwt  lecherous 

Of  wyues,  maidenes  maad  non  excepciouw, 

Folwyng  his  lust,  froward  &  disclauwderous, 

Spared  no  womman  of  religious.  1488 

Made  widwes  breke  ther  professiouw 

Be  violence;  peise  weel  al  this  thyng, 

Of  riht  requereth  to  haue  an  euel  eending. 

Most  in  [mjordre  he  was  contagious,      [p.  425]     1492 

Of  innocent  blood  to  make  efFusiouw; 

Vengable  also  ageyw  al  vertuous; 

Ageyn  his  kynreede  souhte  occasioun 

To  slen  the  lyne  fro  which  that  he  cam  douw.        1496 

Which  considered,  al  suich  fals  werkyng 

Of  riht  requereth  to  haue  an  euel  eendiwg. 

Bochas  manaceth  princis  outraious, 

Which  be  ther  proud  hatful  ambicioun,  1500 

To  God  &  man  of  wil  contrarious, 

Hauyng  in  herte  a  fals  oppynyoun, 

Al  tho  that  been  in  ther  subieccioun 

Thei  may  deuoure,  ther  poweer  so  strechchiwg,     1504 

Which  shal  nat  faille  to  haue  an  euel  endywg. 

Noble  princis,  ye  that  be  desirous 

To  perseuere  in  yoMr  domynacioun, 

And  in  al  vertu  to  been  victorious,  1508 

Cherissheth  trouthe,  put  falsnesse  doun, 

Beth  merciable,  mesurid  be  resoun, 

Of  Andronicus  the  surfet^j-  eschewyng,* 

That  ye  bi  grace  may  haue  a  good  eending.  1512 


Bochas 
exclaims 
against 
all  tyrannous, 
vicious  princes, 
and  says  that 
justice  requires 
them  to  have 
an  evil  end. 


This  lecherous 
tyrant  made 
no  exception 
of  wives  and 
maidens,  and 
even  oppressed 
widows  and 
nuns. 


He  shed 
innocent  blood 
and  hated  all 
virtuous  men. 


Bochas 

threatens  such 
outrageous 
princes,  proud 
and  contrary 
to  God,  who 
think  they  can 
devour  all  men 
who  are  subject 
to  them. 


Noble  Princes, 
if  you  wish 
to  keep  your 
crowns,  cherish 
truth,  put 
down  falseness 
and  be 
merciful. 


1480.  And]  om.  R.  1483-   thus]  this  B. 

1489.  widwes]  widwes  maidenys  H,  wyfes  J. 

1492.  contagious]  contrarious  H,  R  3.       1496.   that]  om. 

1509.  falsnesse]  falshede  J,  P. 

1511.  eschewyng]  shewyng  B,  R,  H  5. 


H. 


962      The  Death  of  the  Emperor  Isaac.     Three  Sultans     [bk.  IX 


Isaac  then 
became 
emperor, 
but  a  brother 
of  Andronicus 
dapped  a  red- 
hot  basin  to 
his  (ace  and 
blinded  him. 


He  lay  a\v.iit 
(or  Isaac  like 
a  thief  and, 
seizing  him, 
put  him  in 
prison. 


Isaac's  son 
.■Uexius 
expected 
to  succeed, 
but  he  was 
murdered  by 
his  tutor. 


Savagetus, 
sultan  of 
Egypt,  then 
came  in  haste 
together  with 
two  mighty 
sultans  of 
Damascus, 
piteously 
weeping. 


The  one  was 
Salethus  and 
the  other 
Cathebadinus. 


[Off  Isacjois  made  blynde  &  taken  at  mischeff.]  ^ 

AS  is  rchcrsed,  whan  Isacivs 
Had  al  thcnipirc  in  pocessioun, 
Taucnge  the  dcth[el  of  Andronic;/j', 
Constantynople,  in  that  roial  toun,  1516 

A  brother  of  his  be  force  ther  caw  dou;i 
With  a  bacyn,  brennyng  briht  as  gleede, 
Made  hyin  blynde;   of  hym  no  mor  I  reede,  — 

Except  Isacivs  was  taken  at  myscheefF  1520 

Of  hym  that  wrouhte  to  his  destruccioun; 

Liggyng  await  as  doth  a  preue  theefF, 

Took  theniperowr,  put  hym  in  prisoun, 

Vengabli  dide  execusioun,  1524 

As  is  remewbrid,  with  a  bacyn  briht, 

Bren?2yng  red  hot;  and  so  he  loste  his  siht. 

A  sone  he  hadde  calHd  Alexivs, 

Tendre  of  age,  cast  hym  to  succeede.  1528 

Bi  his  tutowr,  fals  and  contrarious, 

Moordred  he  was  at  myscheef,  as  I  reede; 

The  same  tutour  purposyng  in  deede 

Of  thempire,  be  fals  collusioun,  1532 

Be  fraude  &  meede  to  haue  pocessioun. 

In  this  chapitle  of  hym  no  mor  I  fynde 

Rehersed  beer  in  ordre  be  writyng; 

But  to  myn  auctour,  \>e  processe  maketh  mynde,  1536 

m]  Ther  cam  in  hast  Sangot  of  Egipt  kyng, 

And  with  hym  cam  pitousli  weepyng 

Mihti  princis,  soudanys  [bothe]  tweyne, 

Regnyng  in  Damas,  ther  fallis  to  compleyne,         1540 

Of  Allapie  Salech  was  the  ton, 

Regnyng  in  Damas  of  his  deu[e]  riht; 

Cathabadyn  ther  beyng  eek  soudon. 

Which  in  tho  daies  was  holde  a  manli  kniht  1544 

And  riht  notable  in  eueri  manwys  siht. 

And  for  the  soudon  of  Babilon  a-ferre 

Callid  Saladyn  oppressed  was  with  werr^, 

1513.   whan]  than  H.  I530-    at  myschefF  he  was  H. 

1537.   of  Egipt  Sangot  in  hast  H  —  Sangor  R,  Sauagetus  P 

lorn,  in  hast).  1540.   Damas]  Sirie  P. 

1541.   Of]  Of  al  H,  R  — Alopie  J,  Alopye  P. 
1543.    Cathebaden  P  —  ther]  the  R.     1546.   a-ferre]  of  ferr  R . 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  174  verso. 


BK.  IX] 


Robert  Surrentine,  William  of  Sicily 


963 


For  socouv  sente  to  thes  princis  tweyne,  1548 

To  come  in  haste  with  al  ther  cheualrie 

Hym  to  supporte,  and  doon  ther  besi  peyne 

Enforce  ther  miht  to  susteene  his  partie. 

Whos  request  thei  Hst  nat  [to]  denye;  1552 

Abood  no  lenger,  but  made  hemsiluen  strong 

To  stonde  with  hym,  wher  it  wer  riht  or  wrong. 

Of  this  mateer  the  substauwce  to  conclude, 

Thes  princis  caw,  Salech  &  Cadabadyn;  1556 

For  ther  gverdoun  thei  fond  ingratitude 

In  this  forseid  soudon  Saladyn; 

Founde  hym  vnkynde;   pleynli  this  J)e  fyn, 

From  ther  estat,  as  it  was  aftir  knowe,  1560 

Disgraded  hem,  brouht  hem  doun  ful  lowe. 

Of  hym  in  soth  thei  hadde  non  o\yer  meede 

For  ther  laboi^r  nor  for  ther  kyndenesse. 

What  fill  aftir,  in  Bochas  I  nat  reede;  1564 

For  he  foort)with  leueth  this  processe, 

[^]  And  vnto  Robert  doth  his  stile  dresse, 

Callid  Ferentyn  regnyng  in  Tarence, 

Loste  his  lordshep  be  sodeyn  violence:  1568 

This  to  seyne,  he  regned  but  a  while; 

This  saide  Robert  loste  his  gouifrnaunce. 

^  Next  to  Bochax  cam  Guilliam  of  Cicile, 

Kyng  of  that  contre,  a  lord  of  gret  puissaunce;     1572 

Loste  his  kyngdam  thoruh  Fortunis  variaunce, 

His  eyen  tweyne  rent  out  of  his  hed; 

AfFtir  deide  in  myscheef  &  in  dreed. 

Which  Guylliam  regnyng  in  Cecile  [p.  426]  1576 

Was  be  discent[e]  born  nih  of  allie 

To  Robert  Guiscart,  as  bookis  do  compile, 

That  whilom  was  duk  of  Normandie, 

Which  of  his  manhoode  &  gret  policye,*  1580 

With  his  brothir,  ful  notable  of  renoun, 

Brouhte  al  Naples  to  ther  subieccioun. 

His  brother  name  callid  was  Roggeer, 

Which  hadde  a  sone  to  been  enheritOMr,  1584 

Callid  Tancret,  as  seith  the  cronicleer; 

1552.   to]  om.  J,  P,  R  3.  1556.   Cathebadyn  P. 

1561.   Disgratid  R.  1567.   Forentyne  R,  Forentyn  H, 

R  3,  H  5,  Surrentine  P.         1580]   Gretli  delityng  in  cheualrie 
B,  R,  J,  H  5.    Supplied  from  H,  which  agrees  with  R  3. 


Saladin,  sultan 
of  Babylon, 
sent  to  them 
for  aid  in 
his  wars, 


but  rewarded 
them  with 
ingratitude 
and  put  them 
from  their 
estate. 


and  that  is  all 
Bochas  says 
about  them. 
Robert 
Surrentine, 
who  reigned 
in  Tarentum, 
lost  his 
kingdom  by 
violence; 


and  William  of 
Sicily,  who 
next  appeared 
to  Bochas,  died 
in  mischief 
and  dread  after 
his  eyes  had 
been  put  out. 


He  was  a  near 
relative  of 
Robert 
Guiscard, 
once  Duke  of 
Normandy, 
who,  together 
with  his 
brother  Roger, 
conquered 
Naples. 


964 


Rofcr  had  a 

ton  called 
Tancred,  who 
reigned  in 
Sicily, 


against  whom 
a  war  was 
begun  for 
the  iake  of 
Constance, 
Roger's 
daughter,  who 
wanted  to 
become  a  nun. 


It  had  been 
foretold  that 
her  marriage 
would  cause 
the  desolation 
of  the  kingdom. 


Enemies  of 
Tancred  moved 
Emperor  Henry 
to  take 
Constance  out 
of  her  convent; 
and  with  the 
dispensation 
of  the  pope 
she  was 
married,  and 
Tancred  put 
from  his  right. 

For  a  long 
time  however 
he  withstood 
the  emperor, 
but  finally 
died  of  the 
pest. 


and  his 
young  son 
William  then 
resolved  to 
defend  the 
country. 


Tancred,  Son  of  Robert  Guiscard  [bk.  ix 

\\  lilch  took  on  hyni  to  regne  as  successowr. 
1  luis  in  Cccllc  r.-incrct  was  goucrno;/r, 
Ajicyn[c]s  whom,  be  title  soulit  a-feire  1588 

Of  alliance  began  a  mortal  werre 

For  a  maide  that  callid  was  Constaunce, 

That  douhtir  was  to  this  duk*  Rogeer, 

Which  was  set  of  spiritual  plesaunce  1592 

To  be  religious,  of  hool  hert  &  enteer. 

And  be  record  oft  the  cronicleer, 

This  ConstauHce  hath  the  world  forsake 

And  to  religiou?i  hath  hir  bodi  take.  1596 

Of  this  Constaunce,  the  silue  same  yeer 

That  she  was  born,  as  maad  is  menciouw, 

Ther  was  a  clerk,  a  gret  astronomeer, 

Tolde  of  hir  birthe  be  calculacioun,  1600 

She  sholde  cause  the  desolacioun 

Of  that  kyngdam  bi  processe  of  hir  age, 

Bi  the  occasiouw  oonli  of  mariage. 

Summe  that  wern  to  Tancret  gr^t  enmy,  1604 

Be  ther  vngoodli  excitacioun 

Meued  themperowr  that  callid  was  Herry 

To  take  Constaunce  from  hir  religioun. 

And  bi  the  popis  dispensacioun  1608 

She  weddid  was;  themperoMt  bi  his  myht 

Bi  title  of  hire  put  Tancret  from  his  riht. 

With  a  gret  noumbre  of  Italiens 

ThemperoMr  entrid  into  that  regioun;  1612 

But  be  fauour  off  Siciliens, 

Tancret  long  tyme  stood  in  pocessioun: 

But  thoruh  Fortunys  transmutacioun, 

The  same  tyme,  to  conclude  In  sentence,  1616 

The  saide  Tancret  deide  of  pestilence. 

His  sone  Guilliam,  that  was  but  yong  in  deede. 

With  Siciliens  cast  hym  nat  to  faille 

To  keepe  his  lond  and  his  riht  posseede;  1620 

Meete  themperowr  wuth  statli  apparaille, 

Made  hym  reedi  with  hym  to  haue  bataile. 

But  themperot^r  to  gretter  auauntage 

Caste  otherwise  of  fraude  in  his  corage.  1624 

1588.   whom]  horn  R.  I59i-   this  duk]  the  kyng  B,  J,  P. 

IS93-  &]oOT.  R.        1594.  cronyculer  R.        1602.  hir]  his  R,  H. 
1603.  the]  of  H.  1604.  that]  tyme  R.         1612.  into]  in  R. 

1617.   pestilence]  sentence  R.  1622.   haue]  om.  H. 


BK.  IX] 


Guy  de  Lusignan,  John  of  Brienne 


965 


Feynyngli  duryng  this  discord, 

Themperour  caste  another  wile, 

Bi  a  fals  colour  to  fallen  at  accord. 

And  yonge  Guilliam  vngoodly  to  beguyle;  1628 

Vnder  trete  taken  in  Cecile, 

Falsli  depryued  off  his  regiozm, 

Sent  to  Itaille  and  throwe  in  prisouw, 

Be  weie  of  trete,  the  stori  who  list  see;  1632 

Al  concluded  vndir  fals  tresouw. 

With  Guilliam  take  wer  his  sustres  thre, 

He  perpetueli  dampned  to  prisouw,* 

His  eien  put  out  for  mor  confusiouw,  1636 

Deied  in  pouert,  lost  his  enheritauwce: 

Loo,  heer  the  fyn  of  worldly  varyauwce! 

Ferther  to  write  as  Ihon  Bochaj  began, 

Aftir  that  Guilliam  was  put  from  jiis  rewm,  1640 

^  To  hym  appeered  Guyot  Lycynyan, 

Chose  afforn  kyng  of  Iherusalem  , — 

Whos  knihtli  fame  shon  like  the  sonwe-bem,  — 

Which  bi  his  noblesse  he  whilom  did  atteyne,       1644 

Godfrey  present,  that  was  duk  of  Loreyne. 

But  bi  the  soudon  namyd  Saladyn 

He  was  enchacid  out  of  that  dignite  — 

Al  worldli  pompe  draweth  to  declyn! —  1648 

So  for  the  constreywt  of  his  aduersite. 

The  yeeris  passid  of  his  prospmte, 

Wente  into  Cipre  as  a  fugityff; 

What  fill  afftir,  I  reede  nat  m  his  lyff.  1652 

^  To  make  his  compleynt  afftir  hym  cam  oon 

Which  hadde  stonde  in  gret  perplexite, 

Erl  of  Bryenwe,  &  was  callid  Ihon, 

Which  aftirward  was  kyng  of  the  cite  1656 

Callid  Iherusalem,  and  [had]  also  parde 

A  fair[e]  douhtir,  yong  &  tendre  of  age, 

loyned  aftir  to  Frederik  in  mariage. 


But  the 
emperor,  under 
colour  of  a 
treaty, 
deprived 
him  of  his 
kingdom  and 
threw  him 
into  prison. 


Beyng  tha^  tyme  lord  and  emperottr. 
Was  desirous  aboff  al  othir  thyng 
Of  Iherusalem  to  be  gouerno^r 


where  his  eyes 
were  put  out 
and  he  died. 


After  William, 
Guy  de  Lusi- 
gnan, king  of 
Jerusalem, 
appeared,  a 
knightly  man, 


[p.  427]   1660 


whom  Saladin 
chased  out  of 
his  realm;  and 
he  became  a 
fugitive  in 
Cyprus.     I  do 
not  know  what 
happened 
afterwards. 


John,  Earl  of! 
Brienne  and     i 
king  of  Jeru-  i 
salem,  had  a 
fair  daughter 
who  married 
Emperor 
Frederick  II., 


but  John,  in- 
stead of  keep- 
ing his  king- 
dom of 
Jerusalem 


1626.   caste]  cast  all  H,  R  3,  P. 

1634.   sustren  R.       1635,  36  are  transposed  in  B,  R,  J,  H  5,  P. 

1641.   Guido  Lusignan  P. 

1651,  52  are  transposed  in  H,  but  correction  indicated. 


966 


Henry,  Son  of  the  Emperor  Frederick  II.        [bk.  ix 


and  becoming 
king  of  Sicilv, 
as  lie  desirrd, 
waii  made  a 
captain  u( 
mercenaries  in 
Lombard  y. 


And  of  Cecile  to  be  crownid  kyng; 
Which  aldirlast,  for  his  sotil  werkyng 
Constreyned  was,  dou«  fro  that  partie, 
To  be  a  captey?i  for  soud  in  Lumbardie. 


1664 


Menry,  eldest 
eon  of  the 
Emperor  Fred- 
erick II.,  lame 
and  ill,  thin 
and  pale  from 
imprisonment, 


[Off  Herry  the  eldest  sone  of  Frederyk  the 
secounde  myscheued  by  his  FadirJ  ^ 

"VTEXT  to  Boch^j,  crokid,  halt  &  sik, 


First  king  of 
Sicily  and  of 
Jerusalem,  his 
renown  shone. 


Oon  callid  Herry  cam  for  to  cowpleyne,      1668 
The  eldest  sone  onto  Frederik, 
Which  bi  seeknesse  hadde  felt  gret  peyne, 
?ng"to'^ochas"  Mcgrc  and  pale,  contract  in  eueri  veyne, 

Of  whos  langoz/r  the  cheef  occasioun  1672 

Was  that  he  lay  so  long  tyme  in  prisoun. 

His  adversity     Al  his  discsc  and  gret  aduersite 

was  caused  by     »  •  i  r  ^  i        • 

bis  father's       Icausid  was,  lor  snort  conclusioun, 

perverse  cruelty,  gj  j^j^  ^^ ^^.j^  frowatd  Cruelte,  1676 

As  Bochas  aftir  maketh  mencioun. 

And  this  Herry  bi  generaciou?i 

Sone  to  Frederik,  lik  as  it  is  founde,  — 

I  meene  Frederik  callid  the  secou?ide.  1680 

This  saide  Herry  be  discent  of  lyne 

Of  Cicile  first  was  crownid  kyng, 

And  of  Iherusalem,  whos  renouw  dide  shyne 

Thoruh  many  a  lond[e]  at  his  begynnyng;  1684 

And  Fortune  also  in  hir  werkyng 

Was  to  this  Herry,  passyngli  notable 

In  al  his  werkis,  inly  fauourable. 

Off  his  persone  had  this  auauntage:  1688 

To  al  the  peeple  he  was  riht  acceptable, 

Weel  comendid  in  his  flouryng  age. 

Of  cheer  and  face  and  look  riht  amiable. 

And  of  his  port  verray  demuer  &  stable,  1692 

Callid  in  his  gynnyng,  such  fauowr  he  hath  wonwe. 

Of  princis  alle  verray  liht  &  sonne. 

But  ofte  it  fallith,  that  a  glad  morwenywg, 

Whan  Phebwj"  sheweth  his  bemys  cleer  &  briht,    1696 

The  day  suwtyme,  therupon  folwyng, 

1666.  To  be]  been  H.  1681.  This]  The  H. 

1687.   inly]  &  inly  H,  R.  1690.   his]  this  R. 

1695.    mornyng  H,  J,  morning  P. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  17s  b. 


He  was  affable 
and  constant 
and  popular 
among  the 
people;  but 


it  often 
happens  that 
a  cloudy  day 
follows  a 
bright  morning, 


BK.  ix^       Henry,  Son  of  the  Emperor  Frederick  II, 


967 


1704 


1708 


Wz'tZ?  sum  dirk  skie  is  clipsid  of  his  liht; 

And  semblabli,  thoruh  Fortunys  myht 

This  saide  prince,  hi  hir  fals  variauwce  1700 

Fond  in  hir  wheel  ful  noious  fell  gr^uaunce. 

Who  may  the  furies  of  Fortune  appese, 
Hir  troubli  wawes  to  make  hem  calm  &  pley«; 
Wher  mtn  most  truste  thei  fynde  most  disese, 
Wher  double  corages  stonde  in  noun  certeyw. 
A  shynyng  day  is  ofte  meynt  with  reyn: 
Thus  of  Frederik  the  grete  vnstabilnesse 
Hath  brouht  his  sone  in  myscheef  &  distresse. 

This  Frederik  set  up  in  gret  fauowr 

Be  the  popis  dilligent  bisynesse, 

Vnto  thestat  lefft  up  of  emperowr; 

But  thoruh  his  hatful  froward  vwkyndenesse,        1712 

Of  couetise  fill  into  suich*  excesse, 

Took  upon  hym  patrymonye  to  guie, 

Of  Cristes  cherch  that  part  to  occupie. 

Fill  in  the  popis  indignaciouw,  1716 

Couwsail  nor  trete  myhte  not*  auaile, 

But  of  malis  and  [fals]  presuwpcioun 

Caste  with  the  pope  to  haue  a  gr^t  bataile. 

The  saide  Herry  his  fadir  gan  couwsaille,  1720 

Ageyn  the  cherch  to  do  no  violence 

But  hym  submytte  with  humble  obedience. 

This  strifF  enduryng  atween  thes  gr^t  estatis, 

Frederik  made  his  sone  be  accusid 

To  hym  of  crym,  Illese  Magestatis, 

Wolde  nat  suffre  he  sholde  been  excusid; 

But  lik  a  maw  maliciousli  refusid, 

Be  his  fadris  cursid  fals  tresouw 

He  was  comauwdid  to  deien  in  prisouw. 

Summe  bookis  sey[e]n  he  was  take  &  brouht 

To  his  fadir  of  doom  to  ha[ue]  sentence, 

But  lik  a  man  passid  sorwe  &  thouht,  1732 

Which  to  his  lyfF  hadde  non  aduertence, 

Furiousli  and  witZ?  gret  violence, 


and  no  one  can 
allay  the 
troubled  waves 
of  Fortune. 
The  great 
inconstancy  of 
Frederick 
brought  him 
to  distress. 


1724 


Frederick, 
made  emperor 
by  the  pope, 
became  so 
covetous  that 
he  took  upon 
himself  the 
management 
of  the  church's 
patrimony,  and 


thereby 
incurring  the 
pope's  enmity, 
determined  to 
make  war 
on  him. 
Herry  advised 
his  father  to 
do  no  violence 
to  the  church. 


and  for  this 
advice 
Frederick 
accused  him  of 
Use  majesti 
and  threw 
him  into 
prison. 


1728 


Some  books 
say  that  when 
he  was  brought 
m  sorrow  to 
his  father  for 
judgment,  his 
horse  fell  down 
and  he  broke 
his  neck. 


1700.   prince]  princesse  H. 

1704.   most  truste]  trust  most  R. 

1713.   into  suich]  in  suich  in  B.     1715.  part  to]  party  forte  R. 

1717.  not]  non  B,  noon  J,  R  3,  none  P. 

1720.  The]  And  the  R.  1725-   Lesae  Maiestatis  P. 


968 


Bochas  commends  Affection  between  Kindred     [bk.  IX 


Other  books 
rehearse  that 
he  dievl  in 
prison  after 
long  confine- 
ment, 

and  that  he 
tumbled  off  a 
bridge  and 
was  drowned. 


As  he  was  lad,  alas,  on  hors[e]bak, 

His  liors  fill  doiin  &  so  his  nckke  he  brak.  1736 

Suni?;:e  bookis  reherse  of  hyiii  &  seyn, 

His  fadir  took  geyn  hym  occasioun; 

And  whan  he  hadde  longe  in  cheynis  leyn, 

At  gret  niyscheeft"  he  dcicd  in  prisoiuj.  1740 

And  suniwe  scy[e];i  [how]  that  he  fill  doun 

Of  a  bregge,  Bochas  reherseth  beer, 

And  drownid  was  in  a  deep  ryueer. 


Bochas 

commends  all 
such  as  are 
naturally 
disposecl  to  be 
upright  to 
their  kindred. 


^  Bochas  makith  a  comendacion  of  trewe  love 
a-tween  kynrede.^  [p.  428] 

NEXT  in  ordre  myn  auctowr  did  his  cure        1744 
To  make  a  special  comendacio[u]n 
Of  swich  as  been  disposid  be  nature 
An[d]  hi  ther  kyndli  inclynaciouw, 
As  blood  requereth  and  generaciou?i,  1748 

Taquite  hymsilff  in  thouht,  in  will,  in  deede, 
Wit/^oute  feynyng  onto  ther  kynreede. 

Especially  when  SpecialH  that  non  vnkynd[e]nesse 

no  unkindness      _,       r  i       •  i  r  j 

is  found  in        Joe  tounde  in  them  tor  non  aduersite;  1752 

them,  in  spite     •-■-.  •  j  c         ^         ^  ^•^ 

of  adversity,      lo  considre,  Or  naturel  gentilesse 

a?e'^  me'^rdfu^^'*^  To  them  apptoprid  is  merci  &  pite; 

and  sincere.      ^^^  tauoide  the  fals  duplicite 

That  was  in  Frederik,  which  so  v«kynd[e]li  1756 

Leet  slen  his  sone  that  callid  was  Herry. 

Pite  is  approprid  to  kynreede, 

Fader  and  mooder  be  disposiciouw 

To  cherisshe  ther  childre  &  [eke]  feede  1760 

Til  seuene  yeer  passe,  lawe  maketh  mencioun. 

As  thei  are  bounde  of  nature  and*  resouw. 

That  tyme  passid,  ther  tendirnesse  tenclyne 

Vnto  fourtene*  to*  vertuous  disciplyne.  1764 


Pity  is  a 
natural  trait, 
and  parents 
are  bound  by 
law,  nature 
and  reason  to 
foster  their 
children  and 


1736.   he]  om.  R.  I74i-   how]  om.  J  —  that]  {je  H. 

1749.   in  thouht  in  will]  in  will  in  thouht  H,  in  wil  thouht  R  3 

—  2nd  and  3rd  in]  om.  J  —  3rd  in]  &  R  3 — in  thought, 

wil,  &  dede  P. 
1760.   eke]  om.  H,  R,  R  3. 

1762.   As]  And  as  J,  P  —  nature  and]  naturel  B,  natural  J. 
1764.   fourtene]  Fortune  B,  J  —  to]  be  B,  hi  R,  R  3,  J,  by  P. 

1  The  following  heading  is  in  MS.  J.  leaf  175  verso:  "A  commen- 
dacion  of  Bochas  of  suche  as  be  kynde  to  theire  kynrede." 


BK.  ix]      Princes  who  were  unkind  to  their  Kindred 


969 


Than  afFtirward  in  ther  adolescence, 

Vertuousli  to  teche  hem  &  chastise, 

Norissh  hem  in  doctryne  &  science, 

Fostre  in  vertu  vices  to  despise,  1768 

To  be  curteis,  sad,  prudent  &  wise; 

For  whan  thei  gynne  with  vertu  \n  that  age, 

Gladli  aftir,  thei  do  non  outrage. 

As  it  longeth  to  euery  gentil  lyne,  1772 

And  blood  roial,  be  kyndli  influence, 

To  fader,  mooder  shewe  hymsilf  benigne, 

Of  humble  herte  don  hem  reuerence, 

Ay  to  remewbre  in  ther  aduertence  1776 

On  sexe  princis  wrouhte  the  contrarie. 

For  which  Fortune  was  ther  aduersarie. 

Euerich  to  other  fouwde  was  vwkynde; 

In  cursid  blood  may  be  no  kyndenesse;  1780 

Of  oon  tarage  sauoureth  tre  &  rywde. 

The  frut  also  bert[h]  of  the  tre  witnesse; 

And  semblabli  the  fadris  cursidnesse, 

V^ith  mortal  suerd,  in  nature  repreuable,  1784 

Ageyw  the  child  is  ofte  seyn  vengable, 

^  Among[es]  which  Brutus  is  reknid  oon, 

Next  in  ordre  folweth  Manlius, 

Slouh  ther  childre  be  record  euerichon;  1788 

Phelipp  Manlius  &  also  Cassius, 

And  cruel  Heroude,  fell  and  malicious; 

Frederik  also  most  vengabli 

Slouh  his  sone  that  callid  was  Herry.  1792 

This  Frederik  beyng  ay  contrarye 

Toward  his  sone,  nat  gracious  nor  benigne, 

From  hooli  cherche  vngoodli  he  gan  varie 

And  therageyn[es]  frowardli  maligne;  1796 

And  lik  a  man  obstynat  &  vndigne 

Deied  a-cursid  thoruh  mysg0U(?rnaunce, 

Withoute  confessions  outher  repentauwce. 

1768.   Fostre]]  fostre  hem  H. 

1772.   H  writes  1723  at  beginning  of  this  stanza  but  indicates  cor- 
rection with  "vacat. " 
1779.  was  fouwde  R.     1790.   Herodes  P. 


to  teach  them 
virtue  dur- 
ing their 
adolescence. 


Every  gentle 
line  and  all 
royal  blood 
should  shew 
filial  reverence; 
but  there  were 
six  princes  who 
wrought  the 
contrary. 


Each  was  cruel 
to  his  children. 
There  may  be 
no  kindness  in 
cursed  blood. 


These  princes 
were  Brutus, 
Manlius,  Philip 
Manlius, 
Cassius, 
Herod  and 
Frederick;  and 


this  Frederick, 
who  was 
neither 
gracious 
nor  benign  to 
his  son,  and 
who  maligned 
against 
holy  church, 
died  accursed, 
without  con- 
fession or 
repentance. 


970  Manfred  of  Naples,  Enzio  of  Sardinia  [|bk.  ix 

plow  Manfroy  kyng  of  Poyle  was  slayn.]  ' 

of "Imc. ''wft  ^  Nexte  to  Bochas  of  Poille  cam  l)e  ky;/g,  1800 

put  down' and    Bcgaii  Ilis  fall  aiul  complcyiit  spcceHe, 
tyranny:  whit   CalHcl  Maiifroy;   aiicl  for  his  fals  werkiwg 

avails  sceptre       T)     .     i  o        I '  f  i   •         • 

or  iovranty       *  ut  cioun  &  slayn,  causc  OX  his  tiran?!ye. 

to  a  tyrant?      j^oo,  what  auaillcth  sceptre  or  regahe  1804 

To  a  tirau«t,  which  of  violence 
List  to  Godward  haue  non  aduertence! 

(^How  Encys  kyng  of  Sardany  died  in  prisoun.]^ 
E«'o.  >ins       ^  With  lookfe]  doun-cast,  dedli  pale  of  cheer^r, 

of  Sardinia,  was    „  -  o        J         •      V        •  i 

conquered  by     Ut  bardania  Lncis  next  cawi  doun;  1808 

Bologna  and      Kyng  of  that  lond,  to  telle  the  maneer^ 
m  prison,   j^q^  j^g  wcrteied  ageyn  the  mihti  toun 
Callid  Bononia,  to  his  confusioun; 
Be  them  venquisshed,  &  wi't^  cheynys  rounde,      1812 
Deied  in  prisoun,  so  long  he  lay  ther  bounde. 

[a  water  makith  theves  blynde  &  trewe  men  to  see.] ' 
John  Bochas      ^  Folwyng  myn  auctour  callid  Bochaj-  lohn, 

says  that  'n         -r       p        ,        •  ,  ,        ,  ,  ' 

Sardinia  there    In  bardynia,  as  he  maketh  my7ide, 

are  no  serpents   (-,  ,fp.  ,,  ii-* 

and  wolves.       betpent  not  woifr  in  al  that  lond  is*  non,  1816 

but  that  there    tt  11  1  •    1        r  1  i 

is  a  well  whose  rlauyng  a  welle,  which  or  veray  kynde 

ThletesThnd.     Thcuys  cyen  the  watir  maketh  blynde; 

m^i'cint  to  '     To  trewe  folk,  as  he  doth  difFyne, 

honest  folk.       Water  therof  is  helthe  and  medecyne.  1820 


There  is  also 
an  herb  that 


[An  erbe  who  tastith  it  shal  die  lauhyng.]  * 

Ther  groweth  also  an  herbe,  as  bookis  seie,  [p.  429] 
makes  people     Which  that  is  SO  dyucts  of  nature, 

laugh  themselves-,,,  r  i        i   i  ,  i      i     ,    • 

to  death  if        Who  tastcth  thcrot  lauhhyng  he  shal  deie, 

it;  even  to       No  medccync  may  helpe  hym*  nor  recure;  1824 

dangerous!        The  touch  thcrof  stant  eek  in  auenture,  — 

iScxD.  Poille]  Naples  P. 

1802.  Maufron  H,  Manfrede  P. 

1808.  Encius  P.       1816.   is]  was  B,  H. 

18 19.  folk]  farlk  R  —  diffyne]  dyuyne  J,  devyne  R  3,  diuine  P. 

1824.  hym]  hem  B. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  176  recto.  «  MS.  J.  leaf  176  recto. 

*  MS.  J.  leaf  176  recto.  *  MS.  J.  leaf  176  recto. 


BK.  1x3        Another  Frederick^  Maumetus  of  Persia 


971 


YifF  it  entre  his  mouth  in  any  side, 
He  shal  alyue  for  lauhtre  nat  abide. 


[^Another  Frederyk  was  slajm  bi  lugement  of  his 
brothir.]  ^ 


^  Ther  was  anothir  froward  Frederik, 
Sone  to  Alfonce,  that  was  kyng  of  Castile, 
Of  corage  wood  and  [also]  fren[e]tik; 
His  owne  brothir  falsli  to  begile, 
Began  a  werre  lastyng  but  a  while, 
Whos  purpos  was  his  brother  to  deceyue 
And  the  crowne  of  Castile  to  resceyue. 

This  Frederik  cam  with  a  gret  bataile 
Ageyn  his  brother  for  the  same  entent; 
Off  his  purpos  yit  he  dide  faille: 
God  nor  Fortune  wer  nat  of  assent. 
Take  in  the  feeld[e]  and  be  iugement 
Of  his  brothir,  for  his  gret  trespace 
Slay[e]n  openli;  gat  no  bettir  grace. 


1828 


1832 


1836 


1840 


Another 
froward 
Frederick,  son 
of  Alphonse  of 
Castile,  made 
war  on  his 
brother  for  the 
sake  of  the 


but  neither 
God  nor 
Fortune  were 
with  him.     He 
was  captured 
and  slain. 


[How  Manymettus  and  Argones  died  at  mischef.]  ^ 


[^]  Manymettus,  of  Perce  lord  and  kywg. 
Cam  next  in  pres,  distressid  -with  gr^t  peyne, 
Vpon  Fortune  pitousli  pleynyng. 
His  aduersite  did  hym  so  constreyne; 
For  ther  was  oon  which  did  at  hym  disdeyne 
Callid  Argoones,  void  of  title  or  lyne, 
Geyn  Manymet[tus]  proudli  gzn  maligne. 

Which  Argones  for  his  presumpcioun 
Take  at  mischeef  be  sodeyw  violence. 
His  doom  was  youe  to  deien  in  prisoun, 
Of  nouw  poweer  to  make  resistence; 
But  Fortune,  that  can  no  difference 
In  hir*  chaunges  atwixen  freend  &  foo. 
Caused  hem  to  deie  at  myscheef  bothe  two. 

1830.   also]  om.  R. 

1842.   Maumetus  P.         1848.    Maumetus  P. 

1853.   difference]  difFence  R.       1854.   hir]  his  B,  H. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  176  recto. 
*  MS.  J.  leaf  176  recto. 


1844 


1848 


1852 


Maumetus, 
king  of  Persia, 
came  in  great 
distress,  com- 
plaining on 
Fortune;  for 
Argones  was 
hostile  to  him 
without  cause. 


However,  for 
his  pre- 
sumption 
Argones  was 
captured  and 
sent  to  prison 
to  die  there, 
and  Maumetus 
also  died  at 
mischief. 


972 


Charles,  King  of  Jerusalem  and  Sicily  [_bk.  IX 


Noble  Charles, 
king  of 

Jerusalem  and 
Sicily,  came 
with  such 
Kood  cheer  and 
kniKhtly 
manner  to 
Bochas, 


plow  Charles  kyng  of  Jerusalem  and  of  Cecile  for 
Auaryce  and  avoutrie  died  at  mischef.]  ^ 

FFTIR  thes  forscid,  rchcrscd  in  sentence,     1856 


A 


As  Bochaj  procedeth*  in  his  stile, 


Kam  noble  Charlis  unto  his  presence, 
Kyng  of  Iherusalem  and  also  of  Cicile; 
Of  whos  comyng  myn  auctowr  a  gret  while 
Astonid  was,  to  seen  his  knihtli  face 
With  so  good  cheere  com  into  the*  place. 

that  it  seemed  Pot  bi  his  poft,  who  that  behecld  hyw  weel, 

high  on  Considred  first  his  look  &  his  visage, 

wh^,"dc'fying  It  sempte  he  trad  upon  Fortunys  wheel, 

her  power.  ^^j  ^f  j^j^  j^q\j\q  matcial  corage 

Hadde  of  hir  poweer  getyn  auauntage, 
Shewyng  hym-silf  so  fressh  on  ech  partie, 
Hir  and  hir  myht  did  vttirly  diffye. 

Of  royal  First  to  comende  his  roial  hih  lynage, 

famous  alliance.  And  of  his  v.crtuous  famous  allyaunce, 

he  was  brother     «       i  •.  j  •  "^l     l 

of  St.  Louis;     As  be  writyng  and  preisyng  with  langage 
The  name  of  hym  specialli  tauaunce, 
Seith  he  was  bor[e]n  of  the  blood  of  Fraunce; 
And  to  encrece  mor  souereywli  his  prys. 
Writ  he  was  brother  onto  Seynt  Lowis. 

GafFto  France  this  comendaciouw: 
So  as  Phebus  passeth  ech  othir  sterre, 
Riht  so  that  kyngdam  in  comparisoun 
Passeth  eueri  lond,  bothe  nih  &  ferre. 
In  policie,  be  it  of  pes  or  werre; 
both  in  peace    Por  it  transcendith,  in  pes  be  prouidence, 


and  I  also 
read  that,  as 
Phoebus 
outshines  all 
the  other 
spheres,  so 
does  France 
surpass  all 
other  lands 


and  war. 


i860 


1864 


1868 


1872 


1876 


1880 


And  in  werre  be  knihtli  excellence. 

Thes  woordis  be  nat  take  out  of  myn  auctotir, —  1884 


These 

words  were  . 

not  written  by  Entitled  hccr  for  a  remewibraunce 

Bochas,  but  by     _^.  ^  i   •    i  1 

one  Laurence,     Di  oon  Laurence,  which  was  a  translatOKr 

the  translator  of /-\/«     i   •  ^  j      T7 

this  book,  to     Or  this  processe,  to  comewde  r  raunce; 
Fr?n'?r'*         To  preise  that  lond  set  al  his  plesaunce, 


1888 


1856.  AfFtir]  Whan  H,  R  3  —  in]  was  in  H,  R  3. 

1857.  procedeth]  reherseth  B. 

1862.  com  into  the]  komen  into  B,  R.       1864.   &]  om.  H. 

1867.  hir]  his  H.       1872.   with]  bi  H,  of  J,  P. 

1877.  this]  his  R.       1882.   in  pes  be]  bi  pes  of  H. 

1886.  a]  om.  H.       1887.   this]  his  R. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  176  recto. 


BK.  IX] 


The  Fate  of  Charles  of  Anjou 


973 


Seith  influence  of  that  roial  lond 
Made  Charlis  so  worthi  of  his  hond. 

Of  whos  noblesse  Pope  Vrban  hadde  ioie, 

Hym  to  encrece  for  vertuous  lyuyng,  1892 

Which  that  tyme  was  duk  of  Au?zgoie, 

Aftir  chose  of  Cicile  to  be  kyng. 

Of  Pope  Vrban  requered  be  writyng, 

Toward  Rome  that  he  shold  hym  dresse  1896 

Of  kyng  Manfroy  the  tirannye  toppresse. 

Ageyn  the  pope  and  hooli  cherchis  riht 

This  same  Manfroy  dide  gret  extorsiouw. 

Noble  Chadis,  as  Goddis  owne  kniht,  1900 

Cam  with  strong  hond  up  to  Roome  toun; 

Which  in  his  komyng  gaf  pocessioun 

To  Guyot  Mauwfort  for  to  haue  the  garde 

In  his  passage  and  gouerne  the  vauwwarde.  1904 

Toward  Roome  with  gret  ordenaunce  [p.  430] 

Thei  passed  ouer  the  boundis  of  Itaille; 

This  manly  kniht,  this  Charlis  born  in  France, 

Ladde  with  hym  many  strong  bataille  1908 

The  popis  enmy  manli  for  tassaille. 

But  al  this  while,  to  stonden  at  difFence 

The  said[e]  Charlis  fond  no  resistence. 

Entryng  Roome  to  be  ther  protectowr,  191 2 

Ful  weel  resceyuyd  at  his  first  entrywg, 

Chose  and  preferrid  for  cheef  senatowr 

Bi  the  pope,  most  glad  of  his  komywg; 

Of  Cicile  was  aftir  crownid  kyng,  1916 

And  of  Iherusalem,  as  maad  is  mewcio[u]n, 

Graunted  to  hym  fulli  pocessiouw. 

Which  in  his  gynwyng  bar  hym  tho  so  weel, 

Entryng  that  lond  with  knihtly  apparaille,  1920 

Of  Cassyne  gat  first  the  strong  castel. 

At  Bonnevente  hadde  a  gret  bataille 

Wit/?  kyng  Manfroy,  whos  parti  did[e]  faille. 

To  reherse  shortli  his  auenture,  1924 

Charlis  on  hym  made  a  disconfiture. 

1899.   same^  saide  H. 

1903.  Monforth  R,  Maufroit  H,  Manfort  J  (Guido  of  Mount- 
fort  P). 

1904.  vawarde  H,  vawward  P. 

1906.   ouer]  wer  H,  R  3.       1910.   stonden]  stoden  H. 

1921.   Cassile  R.       1922.    Beneuent  P.       1925.   made]  had  H. 


Pope  Urban 
also  had  joy 
in  Charles,  and 
while  he  was 
Duke  of  Anjou 
asked  him  to 
come  to  Rome 


and  defend  the 
church  against 
King  Manfred. 
Charles  came 
with  Guy  de 
Montfort, 


leading  many 
a  strong 
company,  and 
found  small 
resistance. 


Entering  Rome 
he  was  chosen 
chief  senator 
by  the  pope, 
and  afterwards 
crowned  king 
of  Sicily  and 
Jerusalem. 


After  taking 
Monte  Cassino, 
he  fought  a 
great  battle  at 
Benevento, 


974 


The  Fate  of  Charles  of  Anjou 


[bk.  IX 


where  M«nfred 
»'*•  >l*in. 
He  then  put 
down  a  rebellion 
in  Sicily  and 


at  Talliazzo 
defeated  and 
slew  Conradin, 
■on  of 

Conrad  IV., 
who  claimed 
the  throne. 


Charles  then 
had  entire 
possession  of 
Sicily,  and 


Fortune 
favoured  him. 
His  son 
married  Mary, 
daughter  of 
Stephen  of 
Hungary; 


and  by  the 
authority  of 
the  pope 
Charles  was 
made  king  of 
Jerusalem. 


His  brother 
Louis 


1936 


1940 


In  which[e]  bataile  kyng  Manfroy  was  slayn; 

And  noble  Charlis  took  pocessioun, 

Wherof  Ronieyns  wer  ful  glad  &  fayn.  1928 

\"\X.  in  Cicile  thcr  was  rcbelliou«, 

But  tlici  wer  broiiht  onto  subicccioun. 

Than*  Coradyn,  record  of  old  writing, 

Sone  of  Conrade  cleymed  to  be  kyng.  193a 

Gan  make  hym  strong,  proudli  took  his  place 

At  Aligate,  a  famous  old  cite. 

Noble  Charlis  -with  knihtli  cheer  &  face 

Fill  upon  hym,  made  hym  for  to  flee. 

And  to  sette  teste  in  the  contre, 

Tauoide  trouble  &  make  al  thing  certayn, 

Gafi^  iugement  Coradyn  to  be  slayn. 

Among  kinges  notable  and  glorious, 

Charlis  was  put,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 

Lik  a  prince  strong  and  victorious 

In  ful  pesible  and  hool  pocessioun 

Of  Cicile  and  al  that  regioun, 

Ageyn[e]s  whom  was  non  dissobeissauwce, 

Yolde  of  hool  herte  to  his  gouernaunce. 

Be  title  also  off"  his  alliaunce, 

Fortune  gretli  did  hyw  magnefie; 

For  as  it  is  Iput  in  remembraunce. 

The  noble  princesse  that  callid  was  Marye, 

Douhtir  to  Steuene  regnyng  in  Huwgrye, 

lioyned  was  and  knet  in  manage 

To  Charlis  sone,  tencres  of  his  lynage. 

The  same  Charlis  be  auctorite 

Of  the  pope,  so  as  hym  list  ordeyne, 

Was  eek  maad  kyng  of  the  gret  cite 

Callid  Iherusalem,  of  touns  most  souereyne; 

Be  which[e]  title  he  bar  crownis  tweyne. 

His  brothir  Lowis,  olde  bookis  seye, 

The  same  tyme  in  Egipt  gan  werreye. 

Gat  al  the  contrees  abouten  enviroun. 
Which  that  Sarsyns  did  falsli  occupie; 


1944 


1948 


1952 


1956 


i960 


1930.  onto]  to  R. 

193 1.  Than]  Yit  B,  R,  J,  P,  H  5  —  Corandyne  J,  Conradine  P. 
1934.  Agllate  H,  Talliatozzo  P  —  an  olde  famous  R,  H,  R  3,  H  5. 
1942,  43  are  transposed  in  H,  but  correction  indicated. 

1945.   no  disbeissaunce  R.       1950.   princesse]  processe  R. 
1951.    Stephene  P.       1952.   knet]  knet  was  R. 


BK.  IX] 


The  Fate  of  Charles  of  Anjou 


975 


Brouht  hem  ageyn[e]  to  subiecciouw 

Of  Iherusalem,  that  lond  to  magnefie:  1964 

Cartage  in  Affrik,  with  al  ther  regahe, 

And  alle  the  contrees  beyng  afForn  contrarye, 

To  kyng  CharHs  becam  tributarye. 

Thus*  while  he  sat  hiest  in  his  glorie,  1968 

Lik  Phebus  shynyng  in  his  mydday  speere, 

With  many  conquest  and  many  gret  victorie, 

Whan  his  noblesse  shon  most  briht  &  cleere, 

The  same  tyme,  with  a  frownywg  cheere,  1972 

Fortune  gan  from  Charlis  turne  hir  face 

And  hym  berafte  his  fauowr  and  his  grace. 

This  lady  Fortune  doth*  seelde  in  oon  cowtune, 

She  is  so  gerissh  of  condicioun,  1976 

A  sorceresse,  a  traitour  in  comune, 

Caste  a  fals  mene  to  his  destruccioun, 

Oon  of  his  sonys  slay[e]n  with  poisouw, 

Which  did  eclipse,  myn  auctowr  doth  expresse,     1980 

A  ful  gret  part  of  [al]  his  old  gladnesse. 

He  was  disclaundrid  of  the  grete*  vice 

Which  apparteneth  onto  tirannye, 

I  meene  the  vice  of  froward  auarice,  1984 

Which  is  contrarie  gretli  to  cheualrie; 

DifFamed  also  of  fals  auoutrie, 

Which  was  susteened  thoruh  his  meyntenauwce 

WitZ^ynwe  that  lond[e]  be  a  kniht  of  Frauwce.       1988 

The  same  kniht  abidyng  in  his  hous,  [p.  431] 

Al  Cicile  troublid  with  that  deede: 

The  grete  offence  was  so  disclauwdrous, 

Thoruh  al  the  regioun  that  it  began  to  spreede;   1992 

For  thilke  woman,  pleynli  as  I  reede, 

Was  wyfF  to  oon  which  sufFred  this  offence 

And  to  be  vengid  dide  his  dilligence. 


conquered 
the  Saracen 
countries  about 
Egypt,  and  all 
became 
tributary  to 
Charles. 


But  when  he 
sat  highest 
in  his  glory, 
Fortune  turned 
her  face  away 
from  him. 


She  is  a 
sorceress,  a 
traitress  to 
men,  and 
seldom 
continues 
in  one. 
A  son  of 
Charles  was 
poisoned,  and 


he  himself 
accused  of 
avarice  and 
defamed  of 
adultery 
committed  at 
his  court  by 
a  French 
knight 


with  the  wife 
of  John  of 
Procida, 
who  deter- 
mined to  be 
revenged. 


lohn  Prosithe  pleynli  was  his  name, 
Which  cast  hym  fulli  auengid  for  to  be. 
That  kyng  Charlis  sholde  ber  the  blame, 
Sle'n  al  Frensh-men  that  bood  in  that  contre, 
Withoute  grace,  merci  or  pite. 


1996 


2000 


and  that  King 
Charles  might 
bear  the 
blame,  in- 
stigated a 
massacre  of 
all  the  French- 
men in  the 
country. 


1965.  ther]  J)e  H.       1968.   Thus]  This  B,  J. 

1975.  doth]  did  B.       1979.    his]  om.  R.       1981.    al]  om.  R. 

1982.  the  grete]  al  the  B,  R,  J,  H  5.       1988.   that]  Jjc  H. 

1993.  thilke]  thirk  R  —  I]  om.  R.       1995.   dide  his]  he  did  R. 

1996.  Procida  P. 


97^  -^n  Envoy  on  Charles  of  Anjou  [bk.  ix 

ThekinRof      And  for  to  doon  ful  execuciou?i 

Aragoii  was  _^ 

called  in.  «nJ     Kequered  was  the  kyng  or  Arragoun. 
Ch.rie.  lost       Loste  of  Cicilc  al  hool  the  reeioun 

Sicily  and  wr    I       i  i_     •  c 

lerusalem,  and     With  thc  ODClSSaU //CC  of  inailV  gtCt  CltC,*  2004 

became  soAJfTI  II  • 

poor  that  he     Aiiu  ot  llicrusalcni  thc  pocessiou?z; 

prayed  for  i?-ii    i  •  i  • 

death.  l^ill  DC  proccsse  in  grot  aduersite, 

And  last,  constreyned  with  gr^ruous  pouerte, 

To  God  most  meekli,  with  ful  heuy  cheere,  2008 

Soone  to  be  ded[e];   this  was  his  praieere. 

He  grew  sick     Suppriscd  he  was  with  sorwe  in  his  coraee; 

and  lanRiiished    t  i   •      r  rii    •  n      i- 

until  he  fell       Loste  his  rorce;   nil  into  malladie; 

finally  died.       Languisshed  foorth  til  he  gan  falle  in  age,       '      2012 

moreMout°      Ageyn  Fortune  fond  no  remedie. 

'"'"•  And  be  thoccasioun  of  fals  auoutrie 

Fill  to  myscheefF;   and  for  sorwe  &  dreed 

This  Charlis  deide;   no  mor  of  hym  I  reede.  2016 

^  Lenvoye. 


T    YK  as  Phebus  in  sum  fressh  morwenyng 
-■— '  Aftir  Aurora  \>e  day  doth  clarefie. 


court. 


2020 


Just  as 

Phcebus  is  oftet 
darkened  after 

morning,  so       FalHth  ofte  that  his  briht  shynyng 

Char1es!^\ien   Iditlcid  is  with  sum  cloudi  skie: 

theTairTy"'     A  likncssc  shewed  in  this  tragedie, 

untu  eve.         Expert  in  Charlis,  the  stori  doth  weel  preeue, 

Youthe  &  age  reknid  ech  partie. 

The  faire  day  men  do  preise  at  eue.  2024 

He  was  The  noble  fame  of  his  fressh  gynnvng:,  — 

nearly  related      >-p      p  r   i   T  •      i  -i         r 

to  St.  Louis,      1  o  bieyn[tj  Lowis  he  was  nih  of  allie,  — 
virtuous  and  a  Riht  wis,  tiht  manli,  riht  vertuous  of  lyuyng, 
chi^lir^,  until    Callid  of  knihthod  flour  of  cheualrie,  2028 

fntowf  ""'   Til  meywtenauMce  of  auout[e]rie 

Cam  into  his  court  to  hurte  his  name  &  gr<fue, 

His  lyff,  his  deth[e]  put  in  iupartie: 

The  faire  day  men  do  preise  at  eue.  2032 

Lik  desertis  men  haue  ther  guerdonyng: 

Vertuous  lyfF  doth  princis  magnefie; 

The  contrarie  to  them  is  gret  hyndryng,  — 

2003.  the]  that  R.  2004.   cite]  centre  B. 

2017.  mornyng  H,  J,  H  5,  morning  P. 

2023.  ech]  his  R  —  partie]  trulyj. 

2024.  day]  lady  R  —  do]  doto  R.      2026.   Seynt]  om.  H. 
2028.  1st  of]  for  H. 


BK.  IX] 


Ugolino  of  Pisa,  Alton  of  Armenia 


977 


Folk  expert  the  trouthe  may  nat  denye. 
Cerche  out  the  reward  of  cursid  lecherye: 
Where  it  is  vsed,  the  houshold  may  nat  pr<fue; 
In  this  mateer  to  CharHs  hath  aw  iye, 
The  faire  day  to  preise  toward  eue. 

Noble  Princis,  all  vices  eschewyng, 
Yowr  hih  corages  lat  resouw  modefie; 
Wit^drawe  youv  hand  fro  riotous  wachchiwg; 
Fleeth  flesshli  lustis  and  vicious  companye; 
Oppressith  no  man;   doth  no  tiranwye; 
Socoure  the  needi;   poore  folk  doth  releeue; 
Lat  men  reporte  the  prudent  policie 
Of  youv  last  age  whan  it  draweth  to  eue. 


2036 


Men  are 
rewarded 
according  to 
their  deserts; 
and  what  is 
the  reward  of 
lechery? 


2040 


2044 


2048 


Noble  Princess, 
withdraw 
yourselves  from 
riot,  fleshly 
lusts  and  vi- 
cious company, 
oppress  no 
man  and 
assist  the  poor. 
Let  men 
report  your 
prudent  policy 
when  your  age 
draws  to  eve. 


[|OfiE  Hugolyne  erie  of  Pyse  slajm  in  prisoun.]  ^ 

OFF  Charlis  story  rad  ^^e  woful  fyw, 
As  ye  haue  herd  t)e  man<fr  &  the  guise, 
To  Ihon  Boch^j-  appeered  Hugolyn, 
Callid  whilom  the  noble  Erl  of  Pise, 
Til  the  Pisanys  gan  ageyw  hym  rise;* 
Most  vengably,  cruel  &  vnkywde, 
Slouh  hym  in  prisoun;  no  mor  of  hym  I  fynde, 


2052 


Ugolino,  earl 
of  Pisa,  was 
slain  in  prison 
by  his  subjects, 
who  arose 
against  him 


[Athon  kyng  of  Ar[me]nye  /  put  from  his  ri[ght]  by 
his  brothire.]  ^ 

SaufF  his  childre,  of  hatreede  and  envie,  2056 

Wer  moord[e]rid  eek  in  a  deep  prisoun. 

^  Next  with  his  compleynt  the  kyng  of  Armenye 

Caw  tofor  Bochflj,  that  callid  was  Achoun, 

A  Cristene  prince  ful  famous  of  renouw;  2060 

For  our  feith,  from  which  he  list  nat  erre, 

Geyn  Tartarynes  long  tyme  he  heeld  gret  werre. 

2045.  doth]  do  H. 

2050.  As]  as  her  H.       2053.   rise]  hem  arise  B. 

2055.  mor  of  hym  I  ne  fynde  H. 

2056.  hatreede]  malis  H,  malice  R  3. 

2057.  is  misplaced  at  end  of  stanza  H  —  eek]  also  R. 

2058.  The  paragraph  mark  is  misplaced  at  the  beginning  of  the 
next  line  in  B  —  Armonye  R.  • 

2059.  Aiton  P. 

2062.  Tantarynes  H,  Tartarians  P,  Tartaryens  H  5. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  177  recto. 

*  MS.  J.  leaf  177  recto,  margin  pared  by  binder. 


and  slew  his 
children  also. 
Aiton,  king 
of  Armenia, 
a  famous 
Christian 
prince 

who  fought  the 
Tatars,  was 


97^  Pope  Boniface,  who  ate  his  Hands  [_aK.  ix 

treasoiiabiy       Tliis  maiill  kyiic;,  in  kiiilithod  ful  faniowj,        fp.  4.1 2I 

robbcj  of  the       -  ,  i     i   •  •        i         i-  ir     TJ     J 

throne  bj-  hij     It  was  shewed,  his  stori  wlio  hst  reede,  2064 

brother  babalh,    iiii  i  i  c   \\  ii 

who  cast  him     llaclcle  a  brother  tell  and  dcspitous 

bimdid'him.      Callld  Sabath,  desirous  to  siicceede, 

Stede  of  his  brother  the  kywgdam  to  posseede; 

He  fals[e]  tresoun  reucd  hyw  of  his  riht,  2068 

Kept  hym  in  hold[c]  and  put  out  his  siht. 

But  another      This  Sabath  loste  bothe  happ  &  crace, 

brother  chased     ...  ,  '/  "^      .    *' 

Sabath  from      His  Other  brother,  as  maad  is  niencioun, 

and,  capturinn    Be  Strong  hond[e]  put  bym  from  his  place,  2072 

him,  cast  him      /"»L        "  J    L  ^       r  ^1      ^ 

in  prison,  Lhacid  hym  out  ot  that  regioun. 

u,"Ll'ic^'    1 -'ike  be  force  and  fetrid  in  prisoun, 
Lord  can  Dcidc  thcri   no  man  list  hym  visitc : 

reward  treason  ^  '  -' 

and  murder!      Loo,  how  God  Can  tfcsoun  and  moordre  quite!      2076 

[How  pope  Boneface  the  viij''?*  was  take  by  the 
Lynage  de  Columpnys  /  ete  his  hondes  &  died 
in  prisoun.]]  ^ 

About  the  A  MOA^G  thes  woful  froward  princis  thre 

year  1300,  Pope  f-\     ...,  .    -       ,  ,   ,  1  •       r  ,  i 

Boniface  the      JL  X.   Which  shcwcd  hem  so  ougli  or  per  chexe, 
'*  Pope  Boneface  be  gr^t  aduifrsite, 

Eihte  of  that  name,  gan  taproche  neer,  2080 

A  thousand  thre  hundred  acountid  was  J)e  year 
Fro  Cristas  berthe  be  cowputacioun, 
Whan  that  he  made  his  lamentaciouw. 

laid  an  This  Same  pope  kauhte  occasioun,  2084 

interdict  on  all    ._,,   .    ,  t      r>      •      i 

France;  Which  vndir  rctir  kepte  gou^rnaunce, 

To  interdicte*  al  the  regioun, 
Tyme  of  kyng  Phelipp  regnyng  Jxfr  in  France; 
Directe  boUis  doun  into  Constaunce  2088 

To  Nicholas,  maad[e]  be  Boneface, 
Archidekne  of  the  same  place. 

but  thepreiates  Off  hooH  cherche  the  prelatis  nih  echon, 

France  proved    Bisshoppis  of  Fraunce  felli  haue  declarid,  2092 

that  he  injured    r>  i  •  i 

the  church,  and  rreuyng  be  poyntis  many  mo  than  oon 
In  a  gret  seen[e]  pleynli  &  nat  spared, 

2063.  ful]  most  H.       2076.   moordre  &  tresoun  H  —  tresoun] 

reson  R. 

2077.  thre]  iij  B.  2080.   taproche]  approche  R. 

2081.  hundred]  C  B  —  was]  om.  R. 

2086.  interdicte]  Interducte  B,  Entirdite  H. 

2088.  into]  vn  to  H.  2091.   nih]  nyth  R. 

2094.  seene]  sene  R,  H,  H  5,  R  3,  synne  J,  Scene  P. 

^  MS.  J.  leaf  177  verso. 


BK.  1x3  The  Death  of  Boniface.     The  Templars 


979 


Be  hym  the  cherche  was  hurt  &  nat  reparid; 

Put  on  hym  crymes  of  gret  misgou^rnaunce,         2096 

Denouncid*  hym  enmy  to  al  the  lond  of  France. 

Put  [up]on  hym  many  gret  outrage, 

WrongU  how  he  hadde  doon  offence 

To  a  cardynal  born  of  the  lynage  2100 

De  Columpnis,  a  kynreede  of  reuerence; 

For  which[e]  cause  he  kept  hym  \n  absence 

Out  of  the  court,  drouh  wher  he  was  born; 

Be  which  occasloun  the  pope  his  lif  hath  lorn.      2104 

De  Columpnis  the  lynage  hath  so  wrouht: 

Took  Boniface  for  his  old  cruelte; 

Wit^  gret  poweer  &  force  thei  haue  hym  brouht 

Into  a  castel  which  stood  in  the  cite,  2108 

Callid  Sancti  Angeli;  gaf  auctorite 

To  a  cardynal,  &  be  commyssioun 

Poweer  to  doon  ful  execusiouw. 

Of  thes  mateeris  hangyng  in  ballautice  2112 

Atween  parties,  wer  it  riht  or  wrong, 

Bothe  of  Romeyns,  prelatis  eek  of  France, 

The  pope  ay  kept  withynwe  the  castel  strong, 

Of  auenture,  nat  bidyng  ther  riht  long,  2116 

Fill  in  a  flux,  and  aftirward  for  neede, 

For  hunger  eet  his  hondis,  as  I  reede. 

Hour  of  his  deyng,  it  is  maad  menciouw, 

Aboute  the  castel  was  merueillous  lihtnywg,  2120 

Wher  the  pope  lay  fetrid  in  prisouw,  — 

Non  such  afForn  was  seyn  in  ther  lyuywg. 

And  whil  Bochflj  was  besi  in  writyng. 

To  write  the  fall[e]  of  this  Boniface,  2124 

The  Ordre  of  Templeris  caw  toforn  his  face. 


denounced  him 
as  an  enemy 
of  the  country. 


They  accused 
him  of  many 
outrages, 
especially  of 
wronging  a 
cardinal  of  the 
house  of 
Colonna, 


whose 
family  took 
Boniface  and 
imprisoned  him 
in  the  fortress 
of   St.  Angelo, 


where  he  fell 
in  a  flux 
and  afterwards 
ate  his  hands 
for  hunger. 


It  is  said  that 

marvellous 

lightning 

played 

about  the 

castle  when  he 

died. 


[How  the  ordre   of  Templers  was  founded  and 
[laques]  wit/i  other  of  the  ordre  brent.]  ^ 

^  Croniclers  the  trouthe  ca«  recorde, 

Callyng  to  mywde  the  first  fundaciouw. 

And  olde  auctOMrs  therwithal  accorde,  2128 


2097.  Denouncid]  Denouncyng  B,  R,  H  5,  J. 
2108.  the]  their  H.  2113.  it]  it  be  H,  R  3. 
2121.   the]  this  H,  R  3.       2125.   afForn  R. 

MS.  J.  leaf  177  verso.    laques  is  supplied  from  P. 


980  The  Story  of  the  Knights  Templar  [bk.  IX 

The  Order  of    Qf  tlics  Tcmplceris  how  the  rcllcioun 

Templiri  was       _,  1   •11  i  r^      ^  r  i-» 

founded  .u  the  (jan  thilkc  tymc  whan  Godfrey  Bolhoun 

Codfrey  dc       Hadtlc  won«e,  that  noble  knihth  man, 

jcnl»«°enirby     IheiLisaleni,  that  ordre  first  began.  2132 

certain  knight*  Bi  cctteyn  knihtls  which  did  her  besi  peyne, 

who  fought  .  1  •  ir    1      •  r  I     J        ' 

there.  Whan  the  saicl[ej  cite  was  first  wonne 

Be  noble  Godfrey,  duk  whilorn  of  Loreyne, 

Ther  crownid  kyng,  this  ordre  thei  begon^ie,  —    2136 

Olde  bookis  weel  reherse  konne,  — 

Takyng  a  grou?;d  of  pouert  &  meeknesse, 

To  founde  this  ordre  did  her  besynesse. 

Their  guiding    Thct  bcgyn^/yng  cam  of  deuocioun,  2140 

pnnciple*  were    „,  i    t      V         r       -ir    i 

poverty,  1  he  ground  Itake  or  wiltul  pouerte; 

humility  and         a      J  ^      r  i  i      t  • 

chastity,  and     And  iTiadc  hrst  ther  habitacioun 

thrtempie 'not  Be  the  temple,  nat  ferr  fro  the  cite, 

far^from  the      jj^  toknc  of  clcnncssc  swom  to  chastite,  2144 

Of  the  temple  lik  to  ther  desirs 
Took  that  name  &  callid  wer  Tewpleeris. 

P°p«  Honor'u*   Pope  Honorie  gaff  hem*  auctorite,  [p- 433] 

license  to  wear  Of  hooli  chetche  beyng  that  tyme  hed;  2148 

a  white  habit,       a         1   m        i      i   •        i      •   i  r  i  • 

to  which  A  whiht  habit  thei  bar  tor  chastite; 

a"rld"cross.  ^   Eugcnivs  afftit  gaf  hem  a  cros  of  red. 

And  to  diffende  pilgrymes,  out  of  dreed, 

Geyn  Saresyn[e]s  thoruh  ther  hih  renour?,  2152 

This  was  cheef  poynt  of  ther  professiou?z. 

So  long  as        Whil  thei  lyuede  in  wailful  pouerte, 

they  lived  in        _,  .-',,.,..  '^  i      i       r       i   -i 

perfection  their  1  hes  ctossid  knihtis  in  mantlis  clad  or  whiht, 

fame  spread;        i-p,  i  i      ■  r 

Iher  name  spradde  m  many  rerr  contre;  2156 

For  in  perfecciouw  was  set  al  ther  deliht. 

Folk  of  deuocioun  kauht  an  appetiht 

Them  for  tencrece,  gaf  hem  gret  almesse, 

Bi  which  thei  gan  encrece  in  gret  richesse.  2160 

jjut  as  they  Bi  proccssc  withyntzc  a  fewe  yeeris, 
numbers  and  The  nouwzbre  gret  of  ther  religious; 
lost  their         And  the  fame  of  thes  seid  Templeeris 

virtue  and  gave  /^    _      _  j  •  j       • 

themselves  up    Gan  sprccdc  Wide  in  many  regioun.  2164 

and"^c1         Ther  sodeyn  risyng,  of  ther  pocessioun. 

With  touns,  castellis,  thei  gaf  hem  to  delices, 
Appalled  in  vertu,  which  brouht  in  many  vices. 

2136.   thei]  first  H.  2147.   hem]  hyw  B. 

2156.   name]  names  H.  2160.   encrece]  wexe  H  5. 

2162.   ther]  that  R.  2165.   Ther]  \>t.  H. 


BK.  1X3 


The  Story  of  the  Knights  Templar 


981 


It  wer  to  longe  for  to  rekne  hem  alle; 
But  among  other  I  fynde  ther  was  oon, 
A  mawli  kniht,  folk*  laques  did  hym  calle, 
Gret  of  auctorite  among  hem  euerichon, 
As  cronicles  reme^^zbre  of  yore  agon. 
The  which[e]  laques  in  the  rewm  of  France 
Was  born  of  blood  to  gret  enheritauwce. 

The  same  laques,  holde  a  manli  kniht 
In  his  gynwyng,  fressh,  lusti  of  corage, 
Hadde  a  brother,  be  elder  title  of  riht 
Occupied  al  hool  the  heritage, 
Because  laques  yonger  was  of  age, 
Which  myht[e]  nat  be  no  condicioun 
Nothyng  cleyme  of  that  pocessiouw. 

His  elder  brother  occupied  al, 
Whil  this  laques  was  but  of  low  degree, 
Wonder  desirous  with  hym  to  been*  egal, 
Alway  put  bak  be  froward  pouerte. 
And  to  surmounte,  yif  it  wolde  bee, 
Fond  out  a  mene  lik  to  his  desirs, 
Was  chose  maister  of  thes  Templeeris. 

Was  promootid  be  free  elecciouw 
Bi  them  that  sholde  chesyn  hym  of  riht; 
Wherbi  he  hadde  gret  domynaciouw, 
Richesse,  tresowr,  gret  poweer  &  myht. 
Of  his  persone  was  eek  a  mawli  kniht,  — 
The  same  tyme,  put  in  remembraunce, 
Phelipp  Labele  crownid  kyng  in  France. 

Which  hadde  of  laques  gret  indignaciouw, 
To  alle  the  Templeris  and  al  ther  cheualrie, 
Caste  weies  to  ther  destrucciouw, 
Gaf  auctorite  his  lust  to  fortefie, 
Douw  fro  the  pope,  bookis  specefie, 
Clement  the  Sexte,  concludyng  yif  he  may, 
Alle  the  Templeeris  destroie  hem  on  a  day. 


2168 


2172 


2176 


A  knight 

named 

Jacques  de 

Molay, 

a  Frenchman 

born  to  rich 

inheritance, 

was  of  great 

authority 

among  them. 


and  as 
his  older 
brother  kept 
possession  of 
the  heritage. 


2180 


2184 


2Ii 


2196 


2200 


and  Jacques 
had  always 
been  held  back 
by  poverty,  he 
finally  got 
himself 
appointed 
grand  master, 


wherethrough 
he  obtained 
great  power 
and  wealth. 


2192 


Philip  IV.  of 
France,  who 
hated  the 
Templars, 
determined  to 
destroy  them. 


2169.  fynde]  rekne  H. 

2170.  folk]  Folkis  B. 

2184.  with  hym  to  been]  to  been  (be)  with  hym  B,  J,  P,  H  5. 

2186.  bee]  ha  be  H,  R  3,  have  be  R,  H  5. 

2187.  to]  om.  H. 

2195.  Labele]  la  bele  R,  J,  R  3,  label  H  5,  Le  Bele  H,  la  Bele  P. 

2199.  to]  forto  R. 

2202.  a]  00  H. 


982 


The  Destruction  of  the  Knights  Templar  [bk.  IX 


He  had  them 
•uddcniy 
imprisoned  fi>r 
certain  horrible 
crimo:   and 
their  friends 
advised  them 
to  plead  Kuilty 
■  nd  beg  for 
mercy. 


Jacques  and 
three  others 
were  detained, 
while  the  rest, 
tied  to  stakes 
ready  for 
burning,  were 
led  to  believe 
that  the  king 
would  pardon 
them  if  they 
confessed. 

They  would 
not  confess, 
but  cried 
piteously  that 
they  were 
innocent  until 
they  died. 


Jacques  was 
taken  to  Lyons 
and  there 
publicly 
confessed  and 
was  burnt  to 
ashes. 


For  certeyn  crymes  horrible  to  heere, 
Alle  attonls  wer  set  In  prison;;, 
Bi  ther  frcciulis  touclii;;g  this  niateer<f 
Cou;;soillcd  to  :ixc  merci  &  pardon;;, 
That  thci  sholde  be  pleyn  confcssioun 
Requere  m^rcy,  knclyng  on  a  rowe, 
And  as  it  was  ther  trespas  been  aknowe. 

laques  was  take,  and  with  hyni  othir  thre, 
Kept  in  holde  and  [injto  prisoun  sent. 
And  the  reninau?;t  for  ther  iniqiiite 
Ordeyned  wcrn  be  open  iugement 
To  myhti  stakes  to  be  teied  and  brent. 
The  kyng  in  maner  lik  to  doon  hew  grace, 
So  the!  wolde  confesse  ther  trespace. 

But  al  for  nouht;   thei  wer  so  indurat, 

Alle  of  accord[e]  and  of  o  corage 

To  axe  mercy  verray  obstynat. 

The  fire  reedi,  al  with  o  langage, 

Whan  the.  flawme  approched  ther  visage, 

Ful  pleynli  spak  [&]  cried  pitousli, 

Of  ther  accus  how  thei  wer  nat  gilti. 

Fro  ther  purpos  list  nat  to  declyne; 
But  with  o  vois  echon[e]  an[d]  o  sow'n 
Fulli  afFermed  til  thei  did[e]  fyne. 
How  ther  ordre  and  ther  religioun 
Igrouwdid  was  upon  perfeccioun. 
And  how  ther  deth,  verraili  in  deede, 
Compassid  was  of  malis  &  hatreede. 

The  saide  laques,  of  whom  I  spak  toforn, 

Brouht  to  a  place  which  callid  was  Leoun, 

Tofor  too  legatis,  or  that  his  lyfF  was  lorn, 

Al  openli  made  his  confessiouw: 

He  was  worthi,  for  short  conclusioun, 

For  to  be  ded  be  rihtful  iugement. 

This  was  his  eende;   to  asshes  he  was  brent. 


2207.  That  thei]  Thei  that  R. 

2208.  rowe]  trowe  R. 

2222.  &]  om.  H,  R,  J,  R  3,  H  s,  P- 
2224.  to]  om.  R. 
2235.  He]  And  R. 


2204 


2208 


2212 


2216 


2220 


2224 


2228 


[P-  434] 
2232 


2236 


pitousli]  spitously  R. 


BK.  1x3     Bochas's  Commendation  of  three  Philosophers         983 


^Here  Bochas  makith  a  comendacion  of  thre 
Philisophris  for  their  pacience.^ 

YIUYNG  a  pris  to  philisophres  thre, 
Boch(3/  comendith  with  gret  dilligence 
How  ech  of  hem  was  in  his  contre  2240 

Souereynli  be  vertuous  excellence 
Off  old  comendid  for  ther  pacience, 
Which  may  be  set  and  crownid  in  his  stall 
As  emperesse  among  vertues  all.  2244 

Mong  Siciliens  first  Theodorus, 

For  pacience  hadde  in  gret  reuerence; 

Among  Grekis,  the  stori  tellith  vs, 

Anaxerses  for  his  magnificence,  2248 

Bi  force  of  vertu  grouwdid  on  pacience, 

Because  he  was  [both]  vertuous  &  wis, 

For  suffrauMce  gat  hym  a  souereyw  pris. 

Among[es]  Romey[n]s  put  in  remewzbrance,  2252 

S[c]euola,  bothe  philisophre  &  kniht. 

For  his  marcial  hardi  strong  constauwce, 

Whan  that  he  heeld  amyd  the  flawmys  liht* 

Hand  and  fyngres  aboue  the  coles  briht,  2256 

Til  the  ioyntes,  fallyng  heer  &  yonder. 

From  the  wirste  departid  wer  assonder. 

^  First  Theodorus,  born  in  the  famoi^j  ile, 

Be  pacience  gret  peynes  enduryng,  2260 

Cheeff  philisophre  callid  of  Cicile, 

With  cheynys  bouwde  upon  the  ground  liggyng, 

On  his  bodi  leid  gaddis  red  brennyng, 

Suffryng  this  peyne,  list  it  nat  refuse,  2264 

Bi  kyng  Iherom,  the  tirauwt  Siracuse. 

For  comouw  proflRt  suffrid  al  [t]his  peyne, 

Long  tyme  afforn[e]  liggyng  in  prisoutz; 

Which  bassent  of  mo  than  on  or  tueyne  2268 


Bochas  now 

commends 
three 

philosophers 
who  were  of 
old  time  praised 
for  their 
fortitude  and 
patience. 


Theodorus  of 
Sicily, 

Anaxarchusof 
Greece  and 


Scjevola  of 
Rome,  who 
allowed  his 
hand  to  be 
consumed 
by  fire. 


Theodorus 
was  bound  in 
chains  and 
burning  gads 
were  laid  on 
his  body,  and 


he  suffered  all 
for  the  sake 
of  the  com- 
mon weal; 
for  he 


2238.  pris3  laude  H.  2254.   For]  bi  H. 

2255.  Iiht3  briht  B,  H,  R,  J  —  flawmys]  flame  P. 

2256.  aboue]  among  P. 

2258.  wirste]  wrest  R,  J,  P,  wrost  R  3,  wristis  H  5. 

2264.  this]  his  R,  H,  J. 

2265.  Siracuse]  of  Siracuse  H,  R  3,  P.  2266.   this]  his  J, 

1  The  following  heading  is  in  MS.  J.  leaf  178  b:  "  Bochas  here 
cowmendith  Theodorus  with  othir  ij  philosophres  for  theirs 
pacience  notably." 


9S4         Bochas's  Commendation  of  three  Philosophers     [bk,  ix 

wai  one  of  the  Was  tlic  most  cliccf  be  copspiiacloun 

who  .lew  the      lo  brynge  the  tiraiuit  to  his  destrucciou»; 

tyrant  Micro        p^^  ^^  ^^^.^^  ^,^^^  j^^  ^^^^j^^^  Cndure, 

The  co^Muraciouw  he  wold  nat  discure.  2272 

and  chose         Rathct  hc  chcs  ill  iiivschecff  for  to  deie, 

rather  to  Jie        ,,,,  i       *  "    !•     i       i 

in  mischief         I  hail  thc*  iianic  opcnh  declare 
thc"nam«\"     Of  h\ m  that  slouh  the  tiraii«t,  soth  to  seie. 
bdievcrthat""  Thouhte  of  riht  no  man  sholde  spare,  2276 

no  man  should  Yqt  comouw  Droffit,  helthc  and  weelfare 

spare  to  slay  '  '  r  ^        \ 

a  tyrant,  and    f  q  sigp  ^  tlrau?/t,  deemyng  for  the  beste, 

bore  his  torture  .  '  J     r> 

in  patience       Alle  3  tccioun  tor  to  sctte  at  teste. 

until  he  died. 

For  \vhich[e]  title,  he  list  to  sufFre  deth,  2280 

Al  [tjhis  torment  took  most  pacientli 

Theodorus,  til  he  yald  up  the  breth, 

Gruchched  nat  with  noise  nor  loude  cry; 

Amyd  whos  herte  rootid  [so]  feithfulli  2284 

Was  comoii?!  proffit,  Boch^j  writ  the  same, 

Among  Siciliens  to  getyn  hyw  a  name. 

Anaiarchus.  to   ^  Gtelcis  also  comendc  abofFthe  sterris 

prevent  mortal      .  i  i-  r  on 

wars,  rebuked    Anaxerscs  and  gretli  magnehe,  3288 

NicciV^n'of      Cause  that  he  to  stynte  mortal  werris 
Cyprus,  who     j^j^^.  ^^^  spare  taquiten  his  partie 

In  rebukyng  manli  the  tiran^iye 

Of  Nicocreoun,  tirauwt  ful  mortall,  2292 

Regnyng  in  Cipre  in  his  estat  roiall. 

in  a  rage  bade  Spared  nat  nouthet  for  deth  nor  dreed 

men  cut  out         y ,  i       i        i   •  i 

his  tongue.        Hym  to  rebuke  bi  vertuous  iangage. 
Eid  he"Touid"'The  tiraunt  badde  kutte  [out]  of  his  hed  2296 

tantage  of'^'it,    His  tungc  in  haste;   but  he  with  strong  corage 
Saide  he  sholde  haue  non  auauwtage 
Of  that  mewbre,  which,  maugre  al  his  miht, 
Hadde  tolde  hym  trouthe  in  [the]  peeplis  siht.      2300 

and  biting        Off  his  manacc  sette  litil  tale, 

off  his  tongue      ^^  r  i   •  r  i  j*      ^ 

chewed  it         Boot  of  his  tunge,  ot  hardi  strong  corage, 
which\e^spa"  Chewed  it  al  on  pecis  smale; 

face!""  *^""^''  Of  manli  herte  thouhte  it  no  damage;  2304 

Spit  it  out  into  the  visage 

2274.  the]  be  B,  bi  J. 

2277.  \>t  welfare  H,  R  3.       2279.   at]  a  R. 

2281.  this]  his  R,  H. 

2296.  out]  om.  R,  J,  P,  H  5. 

2302.  hardi]  harde  H.       2305.   Spet  R. 


BK.  1x3     Sochas's  Commendation  of  three  Philosophers         985 


Of  the  tirauwt;  gat  so  the  victorie, 

To  putte  his  name  euermor  \n  memorie. 

^  And  S[c]euola,  egal  to  thes  tweyne,     [p.  435] 

For  comouw  proffit,  be  iust  comparisoun, 

Put  hym  in  pres[e];   did  his  besi  peyne 

To  slen  Porseniia,  enmy  to  Roome  toun. 

For  tacompHsshe  his  entenciouw 

Took  a  strong  dart,  riht  passyngli  trenchauwt, 

With  al  his  myht[e]  cast  at  the  tirau?zt. 

Of  his  marke  cause  he  dide  faille 

To  slen  his  enmy  aftir  his  entente, 

Which  in  Tuscan  with  many  strong  bataille 

[A]gey«[es]  Romeyws  with  his  knihtis  wente, 

This  S[c]euola  his  owne  hande  brente, 

Cause  that  he  failled  of  his  art, 

To  slen  Porsenwa  be  casting  of  his  dart. 

To  declare  the  force  of  his  mawheede 

Vpon  hymsilff  auengid  for  to  bee, 

As  I  haue  told,  in  briht[e]  coles  rede 

His  hand  he  brente  for  loue  of  his  cite, 

Onli  taquite  his  magnanymyte, 

Of  feruent  loue  his  cite  for  tauaille. 

To  slen  the  tiraunt  cause  he  did[e]  faille. 

Thus  for  to  putte  the  marcial  sufFrance 
Of  thes  notable  philisophres  thre 
In  perpetuel  mynde  and  remewbrauwce, 
How  thei  hem  quite  ech  lik  his  degre 
For  ther  purparti  vnto  the  comouwte, 
Cause  al  ther  ioie  and  ther  inward  deliht 
Was  for  avail  of  the  comouw  profiit. 

First  Theodorus  put  hywsilf  in  pres 
For  Ciciliens  to  deien  in  prisoun; 
And  for  Grekis  noble  Anexerses, 
His  tunge  torn,  felt  gret[e]  passioun; 
And  S[c]euola  for  Romeyns  &  ther  toun 
SufFred  his  hand,  be  short  auisemewt, 
Tokne  of  trouthe,  in  colis  to  be  brent. 

A  martirdam  it  was,  in  ther  maneer 

Of  ther  corage  to  haue  so  gret  cowstaunce; 


2308     Scaevola,  who 
missed  the 
tyrant 
Porsenna 
with  his  dart, 


2312 


burnt  off  his 
hand  in  bright 
2316     red  coals  for 
love  of  his 
city, 


2320 


deeming 
that  he 
deserved 
such  puaish- 
2324     ment. 


2328 


2332 


All  the  joy 
of  these  noble 
philosophers 
lay  in  tiSeir 
being  of  avail 
to  the  com- 
mon weal. 


2336 


2340 


Theodorus, 
who  died  in 
prison  for  the 
Sicilians, 
Anaxarchus, 
who  tore  his 
tongue, 
and  Scaevola, 
who  burnt  oflf 
his  hand,  were 


2344 


2313.   strechaunte  H.       2315.   his]  this  R. 

2318.  Ageynes]  Geyn  R,  J,  P,  H  5. 

2319.  he  brente  H,  R  3,  P.  2343-   ther]  om.  R. 


986  A  Connnfndation  of  Patience  [bk.  IX 

constant  until    Wer  SO  Stable  of  bodl,  hert  and  cheer, 

death,  and  are      _^  c\'  r  r  c 

now  crowneJ     f  OF  coiuouw  promt,  ot  tace  &  contenau/ice, 

with  laurel  for    »  t  1         1      1         •    t 

their  patience.    V  nto  the  clcth  witlioute  vanau/jce; 

(lat  the  tryu;;;phe  be  souereyn  excellence,  2348 

\\  ith  laureer  crownid  for  ther  pacience. 

As  Phoebus       I,ik  as  Phebus  passeth  a  litll  sterre, 

•urpas»e»  a  ...  .        .  \       .  . 

little  star,  so     Hicst  vprciscd  in  MIS  niydclay  speere, 

does  patience       r<         i  *  *  i  i  o 

shew  its  bright   oo  this  vcrtu,  in  troublc,  pes  &  werre,  2352 

othw'v'rt'ues."   Cald  pacience  most  fresshli  doth  appeere 

Among  vertues  to  shewe  his  bemys  cleere; 

For  pacience  knet  with  humylite, 

Wher  thei  abide  ther  may  non  erowr  bee.  2356 

It  appeases  the  Tirau/ztis  hertis  this  vertu  doth  appese, 

tyrants  and  Modeficth  ther  crucl  fell  woodnesse. 
Rage  of  leouns,  who  list  lyue  in  ese, 
Of  folk  prostrat  his  malis  doth  represse.  2360 

Al  OUT  ioie  began  first  with  meeknesse; 
For  of  luda  the  hardi  strong  leoun 
A  maidnes  meeknesse  fro^n  heuene  brouht  dou«. 

vanquishes        In  bataillc  &  myhti  strong  sheltrouns,  2364 

champions.  .  .    ,  „  -^  ^        .       .  .  . 

It  was  the        Avys  With  suitraunce  wynneth  the  victone; 

meekness  of  a      n       •  •      i        i        i 

maid  that         raciencc  venquissheth  champiouws; 

r^emption.^      Lownesse  in  vertu  be  many  old  historic, 

And  meeknesse,  perpetuel  of  memorie,  —  2368 

Al  to  conclude,  groundid  on  resoun,  — 

A  maidnes  meeknesse  wrouhte  our  redewpciouw. 

A  Comendacion  of  pacience  in  stede  of  a  Lenvoy.^ 
Virtue  of  T  7'ERTU  of  vertues,  o  noble  Pacience, 

virtues,  O  V       ^ir  •    r    i  •  j   r 

noble  Patience,     T      WttA?  iauteer  crownid  tor  v^rtuoMJ  constauMce, 

laud,  honour        Til  i 

and  reverence    Laude,  honoz<r,  prys  and  reu/frcncc  2373 

given  tot  ee,  g^  youe  to  the,  ptyncesse  of  most  plesaunce. 
Most  rennomnzed  be  anxien  remewbraunce; 
Of  whom  the  myhti  marcial  armure  2376 

Geyn  al  vices  lengest  may  endure. 

Ground  and  gynnyng  to  stonden  at  difFence 
Ageyn  Sathanis  infernal  puissaunce; 

2361.   with]  at  H,  R,  R3.  2364.   Batailles  H. 

2367.  be]  with  H  —  old]  obstynat  R  3. 

2368.  of]  in  R.  2369.   grounde  H. 

^  The  following  heading  is  in  MS.  J.  leaf  179  recto:  "  Bochas  here 
commendith  humylyte." 


BK.  IX] 


A  Commendation  of  Patience 


987 


Laureat  queen,  wher  thou  art  in  presence,  2380 

Foreyn  outrages  haue  no  gouernaunce; 

Conduit,  hedspriwg  of  plentevous  habundaunce, 

Cristal  welle,  celestial  of  figure, 

Geyn  alle  vices  whiche  lengest  may  endure.  2384 

Cheef  founderesse  be  souereyw  excellence        [p.  436] 

Of  goostli  beeldyng  and  spiritual  substauwce, 

Emperesse  of  most  magnificence, 

With  heuenli  spiritis  next  of  alliauwce,  2388 

Wzt^  lyfF  euerlastyng  thi  tryuwphes  to  auauwce. 

And  ioie  eternal  thi  noblesse  to  assure* 

In  the  aureat  Throne  perpetueli  tendure, 

Thre  iherarchies  ther  beyng  in  presence,  2392 

Wtt^  whom  humylite  hath  souereyn  aqueyntaunce, 

Wher  osanna  with  deuout  dilligence 

Is  sung  of  aungelis  be  long  contynuauwce, 

Tofor  the  Throne  keepywg  ther  obs^ruaunce         2396 

Syng  Sanctt^j-  Sanctt^j,  record  of  scripture, 

WztZ?  vois  memorial  perpetueli  tendure. 

The  brennyng  loue  of  Cherubyn  be  feruence, 

Parfit  in  charite,  dilligent  obeissauwce;  2400 

And  Seraphyn  with  humble  obedience. 

And  Ordres  Nyne  be  heuenli  concordaunce, 

Domynaciones  with  vertuous  attendauwce, 

AflPor  the  Trynyte  syng  fresshli  be  mesure,  2404 

With  vois  memorial  perpetueli  tendure. 

SufFrauwce  of  paynemys  hath  but  aw  apparence, 

Doon  for  veynglorie,*  hangyng  in  ballaunce; 

But  Cristis  martirs,  in  verray  existence  2408 

List  ageyn  tirauwt^j-  make  repugnauwce; 

Rather  deie  than  doon  God  displesauwce. 

Shewed  in  no  merowr  liknesse  nor  picture. 

Take  full  pocessiouw  for  euere  vfith  Crist  tewdure. 

SufFraunce  for  vertu  hath  the  premynence  2413 

Of  them  that  sette  in  God  ther  affiauwce; 
Record  on  Steuene,  Vincent  and  Laurence; 
Blissid  Edmond  bi  long  perseuerauwce  2416 

SufFred  for  our  feith  victorious  gr^uaunce, 


the  ground 
upon  which 
we  may 
stand  against 
Satan,  which 
may  longest 
endure  against 
all  vices. 


Foundress  of 
spiritual  up- 
building, 
empress 
of  most 
magnificence 


in  the  heavenly 
throne    where 
hosannah  is 
sung  by  angels. 


Cherubim  and 
Seraphim 
and  the  Nine 
Orders. 


The  constancy 
of  pagans  is 
but 

appearance 
done  for 
vainglory; 
but  Christ's 
martyrs  are 
faithful  unto 
death. 


Record  on 
Stephen, 
Vincent,  Lau- 
rence, blessed 
Edmund,    who 
suffered 
victorious  pain 
for  our  faith, 


2390.  thi]  bi  R  —  tassure  B,  R. 

2408.  But]  Bi  R. 

2412.  tendure]  endure  R. 

2415.  on]  off  R,  of  H,  R  3,  P,  H  5. 


2407.  veyngloire  B. 


988  The  Death  of  Philip  the  Fair  [nK.  ix 

Kyng,  maide  and  martir,  a  palme  to  r^cure, 
In  the  hcucnli  court  perpetuelli  tendure. 

••have  many    And  fof  to  scttc  a  mancF  difference,  2420 

other  »aint»,         t       11       i  it  11  •      • 

in  noolias  book  told  ciicri  circu7«staunce, 

How  for  our  feith  be  ful  p;rct  violence 

Dyuers  seyntis  haue  suftVid  gxet  pcnauwce, 

Stable  of  ther  cheer,  visage  and  contenau^zce,        2424 

Neuer  to  varye  for  non  auenture; 

Lik  Cristis  champiou^s  perpetueli  tendure. 

who  loved        Whos  fundacioun  bi  notable  prouidence, 

«nd  feared  God  ^  i-ii--.-i  ^•      c 

«nd  lived  and    (jrou^/did  on  Lrist  ther  soulis  ror  tauau?ice,  2428 

died  in  the  /-,  •  i  i  •      o     •  i 

hope  of  enduring Cjraue  in  thcr  hertis  &  in  ther  conscience, 
Patience?''        Voidyng  al  trouble  of  worldli  perturbaunce, 

Chaungis  of  Fortune  wit/?  hir  double  chaunce; 

Loued  God  &  dradde,  abofFech  creature,  2432 

In  hope  with  hir  perpetueli  tendure. 

[How  Philip  la  Bele  kyng  of  Fraunce  was  slayn  wit/i 
a  wilde  boor  and  of  his  thre  sones  and  theire 
weddyng.3  ^ 

PhUip  the        WT  HAN  Bochflj-  hadde  write  of  pacience 

Fair  then  *  /m  /  r 


w 


came  to  Bochas    T  T       And  comendid  the  vertu  of  sufFraunce, 

to  complain  i-vi      i*     •     1       t>    1  1   • 

his  unhappy      rhciipp  la  Dele  cam  to  his  presence,  2436 

fate;  for  he      jTifft-g  of  that  name  crownid  kyng  of  France, 

Gan  compleyne  his  vnhappi  chaunce 

And  on  Fortune,  of  custum  \)at  kan  varie. 

Which  was  to  hym  cruel  aduersarie.  2440 

was  dain  by  a  Woundid  he  was,  [&1  wtt^  3  greuous  soor 

wild  boar  in         ^  ,  .  i  r.       i  i 

the  Forest  of     (jan  his  cowplcynt  to  Dochas  determyne, 

after  he    '       How  hc  was  slay[e]n  of  a  wilde  boor 

vanquished       In  a  forest  which  callid  is  Compigne;  2444 

shameln'"       Tolde  how  he  was  disclaundrid  [&]  al  his  lyne; 

Flanders.  Ouis  in  Flaundris,  with  many  a  worjn  kniht, 

Venquisshed  of  Flemwynges  &  felli  put  to  fliht. 

He  had  four      Proccedyng  ferther  gan  touche  of  his  lynage,        2448 
daughter  How  in  his  tyme  he  hadde  sonys  thre: 

Lowis,  Phelipp  &  Charlis  yong  of  age, 
The  fourte  Robert;   a  douhtir  also  had  he 

2436.   la  Bele]  le  bele  H.       2437.   2nd  of]  in  H,  R,  R  3,  H  5. 
2445.   &]  om.  R,  R  3,  H  5.       2446.   \vor{)i]  wery  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  179  recto. 


BK.  1X3 


The  Sons  of  Philip  the  Fair 


989 


Callid  Isabell,  riht  excellent  of  beute.  2452 

Seide  Robert,  the  stori  is  weel  kouth, 
Which  that  deide  in  his  tendre  youth. 

To  this  stori  who  list  haue  good  reward, 

The  circumstaunce  wisli  to  discerne,  2456 

His  douhtir  Isabell  was  weddid  to  Edward 

Carnervan,  the  book  so  doth  vs  lerene. 

This  yonger  Phelipp  weddid  in  Nauifrne 

The  kynges  douhtir,  a  statli  manage,  2460 

Callid  lane,  whil  she  was  tendre  of  age. 

The  same  Phelipp  aftir  crownyd  kyng 

Of  Nauerne,  his  fadir  of  assent, 

Fyue  sonis  he  hadde  in  his  lyuywg;  2464 

Of  which[e]  fyue,  as  in  sentement, 

Thre  in  noumbre  be  riht  pertynent 

To  the  mateer,  who-so  list  to  look, 

And  the  processe  of  this  same  book.  2468 

The  eldest  sone  callid  was  Lowis,  [p.  437] 

To  whom  his  fadir  gaf  pocessioun 

Of  Nauerne,  because  that  he  was  wis 

For  to  gouerne  that  noble  regiouw.  2472 

Phelipp  his  brothir  for  his  hih  renouw 

Was  aftirward  be  iust  enheritaunce 

And  rihtful  title  crownid  kywg  of  France. 

The  thridde  brothir  was  be  title  of  riht  2476 

Maad  Erl  of  March,  and  namyd  was  Charlis. 

Euerich  of  hem  in  the  peeplis  siht 

Wer  famous  holde  &  passyng  of  gret  prys. 

And  for  thei  wern  riht  mawli  and  riht  wis  2480 

Phelipp  and  Charlis  took  in  tendre  age 

The  erlis  douhtren  of  Burgoyne  in  manage. 

But  as  the  stori  remembreth  in  certeyne. 

To  ther  noblesse  Fortune  had  envie;  2484 

And  bi  a  maner  of  malis  and  disdeyne 

Brouht  in  be  processe  vpon  the  partie 

Of  ther  too  wyues  froward  auoutrie, 

Causyng  the  deth  of  alle  thes  princis  thre,  2488 

Whaw  thei  most  floured  in  ther  felicite. 


who  became 

the  wife  of 

Edward 

Carnarvon, 

and 

his  son  Philip 

married  Jane, 

daughter  of 

the  king  of 

Navarre,  and 


afterwards 
became  king 
of  France  and 
had  five  sons. 


Philip  le 
Bel's  eldest 
son  was 
afterwards 
Louis  X.,  and 
the  second  son, 
Philip  V.  the 
Tall. 


The  third  son, 
Charles  IV., 
was  made  Earl 
of  March,  and 
all  three  were 
famous,  manly 
and  wise. 
Philip  and 
Charles  mar- 
ried daughters 
of  the  Earl 
of  Burgundy, 

but  they  were 
froward  and 
adulterous  and 
caused  the 
death  of  all 
three  princes. 


2456.   discerne]  concerne  H.       2459.  This]  The  H. 

2483.   the]  ther  R. 

2486.   in  be]  into  R.  2488.   thes]  the  R. 


990 

Charlci  of 
Tarentum.  who 
tried  to  make 
peace  between 
the  Ciuelphj 
and  Ghibellines, 


Dante  Alighieri  appears  to  Bochas 


[bk.  IX 


wai  born  of 
the  blood  of 
France;   but 
he  was  slain 
bjr  an  arrow 
in  the  wars 
between 
Florence 
and  Pisa. 


^  Aftir  thes  thre  princis  glorious, 

Tofor  Bochas  to  shewen  his  entent, 

A  niihti  dulc,  notable  and  riht  famo/zj,  2492 

Caw  to  co;;;pleyne,  Charlis  of  Tharente, 

W  hich  in  his  tymc  to  Florence  wente 

To  make  pes  in  his  roial  estat 

Tween  Guerff  and  Gemeliwj  stondi^/g  at  debat.     2496 

The  saide  Charlis,  born  of  the  blood  of  France, 

A  niawli  kniht,  the  stori  doth  deuise, 

Bi  whos  v;/happi  froward  fatal  chaunce 

In  the  werris  atween  Florence  &  Pise,  2500 

On  hors[e]bak  sitty?/g  in*  knihtli  wise, 

Hurt  with  an  arwe,  fill  lowe  doun  to  grounde, 

Wherbi  he  kauhte  his  laste  fatal  wounde. 


A  Pisan  soldier  A  man  of  armys  beyne  a  soudiowr 

who  trod  on         itt-    i       i        -rk*  .  •. 

With  the  risauns,  wer  it  wrong  or  riht, 


his  body  as  it 
lay  on  the 
ground  was 
made  knight 
by  the 
Ghibelline 
captain. 


2504 


Of  fals  disdeyn  that  day  did  his  labour 

To  trede  on  Charlis  in  the  peeplis  siht. 

Whan  he  lay  gruff;  wherfor  he  was  maad  kniht  2508 

Be  ther  capteyn  for  a  maner  pride, 

Which  gouerned  the  Gibelynes  side. 


While  Bochas 
sat  still  in  his 
seat  with  a 
heavy  cheer, 
Dante    of 
Florence,  the 
laureate  poet, 
appeared  to 
him  with 
impressive 
countenance. 


Bochas  arose 
and  met  him 
with  great 
reverence, 
saying, 
"O  brightest 
«un,  daystar 
of  our  city. 


2512 


2516 


2-;20 


AND  in  his  studie  with  ful  heuy  cheer 
Whil  lohn  Bochas  abood  still  in  his  seete. 
To  hym  appeered  &  gan  approche  neer 
Dau7zte  of  Florence,  the  laureat  poete, 
WttZ?  his  ditees  and  rethoriques  sueete, 
Demure  of  look,  fulfilled  vfith  pacience, 
Wi't^  a  visage  notable  of  reuerence. 

Whan  Bochaj  sauh  hym,  vpon  his  feet  he  stood, 
And  to  meete  hym  he  took  his  pas  ful  riht, 
Wit^  gret  reuerence  aualed  capp  and  hood. 
And  to  hyw  seide  vfith  humble  cheer  &  siht: 
"  O  cleerest  sonne,  daysterre  and  souereyn  liht* 
Of  our  cite,  which  callid  is  Florence, 
Laude  onto  the,  honour  and  reuerence! 

Thou  hast  enlumyned  Itaile  &  Lumbardie 
Wit^  laureat  dites  in  thi  flouryng  daies, 


2496.   GuerfT]  Guelphes  P  —  Gemellus^  Gemellyns  J,  Gamelyns 

R  3,  Gibellines  P,  Gemelyus  H,  Genelius  R. 
2501.   in3  on  B.       2505.   wher  it  wer  wrong  or  riht  H,  R  3. 
2522.   daysterre  and  souereyn  liht]  O  verray  sothfast  liht  B,  R, 

J,  H  s. 


2524 


BK.  IX] 


The  Story  of  Duke  Gaultier 


991 


Grouwd  and  gynner  of  prudent  policie, 

Mong  Florentynes  suffredist  gret  afFraies;  2528 

As  gold  purid,  preeued  at  al  assaies, 

In  trouthe  madest  meekli  thi-silue  strong 

For  comoun  proffit  to  sufFre  peyne  &  wro^rg. 

0  noble  poete,  touching  this  mateer,  2532 
How  Florentynes  wer  to  the  vnkynde, 

1  wil  remewbre  and  write  with  good  cheer 
Thi  pitous  exil  and  put  heer  in  mynde." 

"  Nay,"  quod  Daunte,  *'  but  heer  stant  oon 

behynde,  2536 

Duk  of  Athenis;  turne  toward  hym  J)i  stile, 
His  vnkouth  stori  breefli  to  compile. 

And  yif  thou  list  to  do  me  this  plesaunce, 

To  descryue  his  knihtli  excellence, 

I  wil  thou  putte  his  lyfF  in  remembrance, 

How  he  oppressid  be  myhti  violence 

This  famous  cite  [which]  callid  [is]  Florence; 

Be  which[e]  stori  ful  pleynli  thou  shalt  see, 

Which  wer  freendis  &  foon  to  that*  cite. 

And  which  wer  hable  for  to  been  excusid, 

Yif  the  trouthe  be  cleerli  apparceyued; 

And  which  wer  worthi  for  to  be  refusid,  2548 

Be  whom  the  cite  ful  falsli  was  deceyued, 

The  circumstaunces  notabli  conceyued. 

To  rekne  in  ordre  upon  eueri  side, 

Which  sholde  be  chacid  &  which  shold  abide."     2552 


thou  hast 
illumined  Italy 
and  Lombard/ 
with  thy  works 
and  suffered 
pain  and 
wrong  for  the 
common  weal. 


2540 


"O  noble  poet, 
I  will  write 
with  good 
cheer  thy 
sad  exile." 
"Nay,"  said 
Dante,  "turn 
thy  pen  to  the 
Duke  of 
Athens, 
who  stands 
behind  me. 


"Do  me  this 
pleasure  and 
describe  his 
knightly 
excellence    and 
tell  how  he 
oppressed  the 
city  of 
Florence, 


2544 


so  that  thou 
shalt  know 
which  were 
friends  and 
which  were 
foes  to  the 
town." 


A 


plow  Duk  Gaultere  of  Florence  for  his  tjrrannye 
Lecherye  and  couetise  ended  in  mischef.3  ^ 

ND  whan  Boch^j  knew  al  thentencioun  [p.  438] 
Of  seide  Daunte,  he  cast  hym  anon  riht 
Tobeie*  his  maister,  as  it  was  resoun; 
Took  his  penne;   and  as  he  cast  his  siht  2556 

A  lite  a-side,  he  sauh  no  manifr  wiht 
Sauf  Duk  Gaulteer,  of  al  that  longe  day; 
For  Daunt  vnwarli  vanshed  was  a-way. 

2533.  How]  How  the  R.       2536.   but]  om.  H,  P. 

2539.  thou]  ye  H.       2545.   that]  the  B,  J,  this  H. 

2549.  was]  wer  H  —  deceyued]  om.  R. 

2.55S-  To  obeie  B. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  180  recto. 


And  when 
Bochas  took 
up  his  pen 
to  obey  his 
master    he  saw 
no  one  but 
Duke  Gaultier; 
for  Dante  had 
vanished. 


992 

Tliis  uid 
Gaulticr  was 
of  the  blood 
of  France;  and 
hi*  father, 
lord  of  Athens. 


The  Story  of  Duke  GauUier 


[bk.  IX 
2560 


was  put  down 
by  the  Greeks 
and  his  head 
smitten  olT. 


To  avenge  his 
death  Gaulticr 
resolved  to 
besiege  the 
city,  but  was 
unsuccessful, 
and  at  that 
time  two 
Pisan  princes 
began  to  lay 
siege  to  Lucca. 


The  Florentines 
came  down  to 
help  the 
Luccans,  but 
were  defeated; 


and  at  this 
Gaultier  went 
to  Florence 
from  Naples 


and  was 
chosen 

governor  by  a 
parliament  of 
magnates, 


This  salde  Gaultccr,  brecffli  to  procecde, 

Lik  as  it  is  I  put  in  reme;?;braunce, 

Touchyng  his  lyne  an[cl]  his  roial  kynreede, 

He  was  disccndid  of  the  hlood  of  France. 

Bi  lonj;  proccsse  and  knihth  purueyauwce  2564 

His  fadir  Hrst,  be  dilhgent  hibo;<r, 

Of  Athenys  was  lord  and  gou<frnowr. 

Stood  but  a  while  in  cleer  pocessioun, 

Grekis  to  hym  hadde  ful  gret  envie,  2568 

Caste  of  assent[e]  for  to  putte  hym  doun 

And  depryve  hym  of  his  famoz/j  duchie; 

To  ther  entent  a  leiseer  did  espie, 

Took  hym  at  myscheef,  &,  quaki??g  in  his  dreed,  2572 

Of  hih  despiht  in  hast  smet  of  his  bed. 

Vpon  whos  deth  auengid  for  to  bee 

The  saide  Gaulteer  with  myhti  apparaille 

Caste  he  wolde  asege  that  cite;  2576 

But  of  his  purpos  longe  he  dide  faille. 

And  in  this  while,  with  many  gret*  bataile, 

Too  myhti  princis  wer  come  doun  of  Pise, 

Leid  a  siege  to  Luk  in  knihtli  wise.  2580 

Florentynes  to  Luk  wer  fauourable; 

And  to  delyuere  the  siege  fro  the  toun, 

With  multitude  almost  innumerable 

Made  ordynaunce;   &  knihtli  thei  cam  doun,         2584 

Which  turned  aftir  to  ther  destruccioun: 

For  it  fill  so  of  mortal  auenture, 

On  Florentynes  fill  the  disconfiture. 

The  noise  and  fame  of  this  grift  bataile  2588 

Gan  spreede  ferr  bi  report  of  langage 

In  Lombardie  and  thoruh[out]  al  Itaile 

Mong  soudiowr[e]s  lusti  of  corage; 

And  among  othir,  feynyng  a  pilgrimage,  2592 

The  saide  Gaulteer  be  vnwar  violence 

Cam  fro  Naplis  doun  into  Florence. 

The  Florentynes  heeld  first  a  parlement 

For  the  sauacioun  and  garde  of  her  cite,  2596 

Be  gret  prudence  and  gret  auisement 

2570.  his]  that  R,  H,  R  3,  P,  H  5. 

2578.  gret]  strong  B,  J,  P. 

2579.  Pise]  Parise  H. 
2589.  report]  recorde  H. 


BK.  IX] 


The  Story  of  Duke  Gaultier 


993 


2604 


2608 


Of  suich  as  wer[e]n  hiest  of  degre; 

Bi  oon  assent  thei  gafF  the  souereywte 

Them  to  gou^rne,  hoping  to  ther  encres,  2600 

With  statutis  made  bothe  for  werr^  &  pes. 

The  gret  estatis,  reulers  of  the  touw, 

CalHd  magnates  tho  daies  in  sothnesse, 

To  Gaulteer  gafF  this  domynaciouw, 

Of  entent  the  comouns  to  oppresse 

And  marchauwti?/  to  spoille  of  ther  richesse, 

Streyne  men  of  crafFt  be  froward  violence 

Ageyw  the  libertes  vsid  in  Florence. 

The  peeple  alway  in  a-wait  Hggyng 

To  be  restorid  onto  ther  liberte, 

Gan  gruchche  sore,  amowg  hemsilf  pleynywg 

For  gret  extorsiouws  doon  to  ther  cite;  2612 

The  grete  also,  of  most  auctorite, 

Hadde  leuere  to  sufFre  Gaulteer  regne. 

Thaw  ther  exacciouws  to  modefie  or  restreyne. 

The  saide  Gaulteer  in  ful  sotil  wise,  2616 

Be  a  fals  maner  of  symulaciou^z, — 

Enmy  in  herte  vnto  ther  frauwchise; 

Al  that  he  wrouhte,  for  short  co/zclusioun, 

Was  doon  oonli  to  ther  destrucciouw,  2620 

Wit^  a  pretence  feyned  of  freendliheed, 

To  his  promys  ay  cowtrarie  was  the  deed, — 

Clamb  up  be  processe  to  ful  hih  estat 

Be  feyned  speche  and  sotil  flaterie; 

In  his  herte  wex  pompous  &  elat. 

His  werkiwg  outward  no  man  koude  espie; 

Lite  and  litil  drouh  to  his  partie, 

That  to  conclude,  shortli  for  to  seie, 

Al  Florence  his  lustis  did  obeie. 

Gan  sotilli  plese  the  comounte, 

For  to  acowplissh  falsli  his  desirs, 

Made  promys  tencrece  ther  liberte  2632 

To  suich  as  wer[e]n  froward  of  maneeres; 

Made  an  oth  to  stroie  ther  officeeres, 

But  thei  wolde  of  ther  fre  volunte 

Graunte  onto  \\ym  larger  liberte,  2636 


whose 

intention 

was  to  plunder 

the  merchants 

and  rob  the 

town  of  its 

liberties. 


The  people 
were  dis- 
contented, but 
the  notables 
preferred  to  let 
Gaultier  reign 
rather  than 
modify  their 
exactions. 


Gaultier 
feigned 
friendship  for 
both  parties, 


2624 


2628 


and  climbed  up 
by  degrees 
to  such 
power  that 
all  Florence 
carried  out 
his  desires. 


He  made  him- 
self popular 
with  the 
commons  by 
promising  to 
increase  their 
franchises, 


2599  is  repeated  H.  2608.   the^  theire  J,  theyr  P. 

2624  is  misplaced  at  end  oj  stanza  H.       2627.   Iitil3  lite  H,  R  3. 


994 


The  Story  of  Duke  Gaultirr 


and  finally 
became  «o 
powerful  and 
tyrannous  as 
to  menace  the 
very  greatest 
of  the  town. 


[bk.  IX 

[P-  439] 


At  this  time 
one  Reynicr, 
a  hiKh  otTiccr 
in   Florence, 
supported 
Gaultier  in 


order  to  share 
in  his 
tyranny. 


The  magnates 
could  do 
nothing  but 
acquiesce. 


and  agreed 
that  Gaultier 
should  swear 
on  the  body 
of  Christ  to 
restore  them 
their  old 
franchises. 


A  trumpet  was 
blown  and  a 
parliament  held 
Gaultier  made 
his  promise 


Gretter  poweer  niui  doniynacioun 

Tencrece  his  niiht  upon  eueri  side. 

Gan  manace  the  grettest  of  the  toun 

And  day  he  day  tMicrescn  in  his  pride;  2640 

FiHi  began,  felli  [he]  did  abide; 

W  lierupon,*  kept  cloos  in  ther  entraille, 

The  Florentynes  greth  gan  niffruaille. 

In  this  while  was  ther  oon  Reyneer,*  2644 

Of  gret  auctorite  and  of  gret  reuerence, 

A  mihti  seruaunt  and  a  gret  officeer, 

To  whos  biddyng  obeied  al  Florence, 

Which  with  Gaulteer  acorded  in  sentence,  2648 

With  soudioi/rs  hadde  stuffid  ech  hostrye 

For  to  susteene  of  Gaulteer  the  partie. 

And  traitowrli  for  to  fortefie 

Thentent  of  Gaulteer,  fel  &  awbicious,  2652 

To  haue  thestat  onli  be  tirannye, 

As  ther  cheefFlord,  froward  &  surquedous, 

To  regne  in  Florence;   the  cas  was  pereilous, 

Whan  too  tirauntis  be  bothe  of  oon  assent  2656 

With  multitude  tacomplisshe  ther  entent. 

Which  thyng  considred  bi  ther  gou^rnowrs 

And  magnates  callid  in  the  cite, 

Whan  that  thei  fond  among  hew  no  socowrs  2660 

To  remedien  ther  gret  aduersite; 

Fill  to  accord[e]  of  necessite. 

Gaff  ther  assent  withoute  variaunce. 

That  Gaulter  sholde  haue  al  the  gou^rnaunce.      2664 

And  condescendid  thei  wer  to  this  issu. 

That  Gaulteer  sholde  in  al  his  beste  wise 

Vpon  the  bodi  be  sworn  of  Crist  \es\Xy 

Them  to  restore  onto  ther  fraunchise  2668 

Vsid  of  old,  and  for  no  couetise 

From  ther  promys,  for  lyff  nor  deth  declyne, 

As  be  conuencioun  [the  court]  list  determyne. 

Heerupon  was  blowen  a  trompet  2672 

For  tassemble  thestatis  of  the  toun; 

A  parlement  holde,  Gaulter  first  was  set; 

2642.  Therupon  B,  P. 

2644.    R   omits  lines  2644   to   3588  —  ther  was    oon    J,    P  — 

Reyneer]Reymeer  B.  2648.   acorded]  accord  H. 

26713  As  the  conuencioun  list  to  determyne  J. 


BK.    IX] 


The  Story  of  Duke  Gaultier 


995 


2688 


2692 


And  to  pronounce  the  convencioun, 

V^ith  euery  parcel  entitle[d]  be  resoim,  2676 

Lik  ther  accord  declaryng  ano«  riht, 

Stood  up  a  vocat  in  the  peephs  siht. 

With  men  of  armys  in  steel  armid  briht 

Vnto  ther  paleis  cheef  and  princepall  2680 

The  saide  Gaulteer  cowveied  ano«  riht, 

Set  in  a  seete  most  statli  and  roiall. 

And  the  peeple  with  vois  memoriall 

Gan  crye  loude,  cowcludiwg  this  sentence:  2684 

Gaulteer  for  euere,  cheef*  lord  of  Florence  — 

So  to  perseuere  duryng  al  his  lyff. 
Took  in  the  paleis  ful  pocessiouw; 
Ther  durste  non  ageyn  it  make  strifF; 
Graunted  to  hym  the  domynaciouw 
Of  alle  the  castellis  aboute  enviroun,  — 
Tuscan,  Areche  and  castel  Florentyw, 
Wit^  alle  lordshipis  to  Mount  Appenyn. 

As  ye  haue  herd[e],  Gaulteer  thus  began. 

Bi  his  owne  furious  dyuynaille, 

Saide  he  was  born  to  be  lord  of  Tuscan, 

With  a  gret  parti  also  of  Itaille;  2696 

Tolde  he  was  lad,  conueied  be  a  quaile, 

Saide  ouermor[e],  wer  it  riht  or  wronge, 

That  was  the  sentence  of  the  birdis  songe. 

The  same  brid  first  brouht  hyw*  to  Florence, 

Al  the  weie  afForn  hym  took  his  fliht; 

With  soote  syngyng  did  hym  reuerence, 

Hih  in  the  hair  of  corage  glad  and  liht; 

Wolde  neuer  parte  out  of  his  siht;  2704 

Gaff  hym  tokenes  to  sette  his  herte  affire. 

That  of  Florence  he  shold  be  lord  &  sire. 

The  same  bird  he  bar  in  his  deuises 

Ful  richeli  enbroudid  with  perre;  2708 

Took  upon  hym  many  gret  emprises 

As  cheef  lord  of  Florence  the  cite; 

Sat  in  iugement;  gouernid  the  contre; 


and, 

conveyed  by 
men-at-arms, 
was  set  on  his 
throne,  while 
the  people 
cried  loudly, 
"Gaultier  for- 


He  took 
possession 
of  the  palace 
and  all  the 
neighbouring 
castles  and 
lordships. 


2700 


Thus  he 
began;   and 
he  said 
overmore  that 
he  was  born 
to  be  lord  of 
Tuscany,  for 
a  quail  had 
told  him  so 


and  led  him 
to  Florence 
and  done 
him  reverence 
with  its  sweet 
singing. 


He  bore  this 
same  bird 
richly 

embroidered 
in  his  devices, 
and    taking 
up  the  reins 
of  government 


2684.  this]  in  J. 

2685.  cheef]  was  cheef  B,  P,  R  3. 

2686.  al]  om.  H. 

2691.  Areche]  Areth  J,  Auretium  P, 

2700.  first  brouht  hym]  brouht  hywz  first  B,  J. 


996  The  Story  of  Duke  Gaultier  ^BK.  IX 


2713 


•urroundcd  him- Drouh  to  livm  flatcrcrs  &  folk  \uit  koude  he, 

self  with  people    ,^  ,.  .,  ,.  ,  ,  i^L 

of  111  fame.        IJautlis,  nbauciis  wlicr  he  myht  new  espie. 

lie  was  so        Qf  that  cltc  took  merueillous  truages; 
lecherous  and     Cfochcth  to  hvm  ilchcssis  of  the  tOU7i; 

quarrelsome  r\C  \       \  '  ^  ..  ..  c 

and  lacking  in    V  Jtlccherye  vsid  gfct  outrages,  2716 

Kr'>cT."tirat'"t*    ^^f  niaidncs,  wyues  maad  non  excepcioiuz. 
to°eu"«bout^    \  oide  of  mercy,  grace  and  reniyssiouw, 
*''"'•  Fond  quarehs  for  to  be  vengable. 

That  to  reherse  it  is  abhomynable.  2720 

He  slew  those    Whct  he  hateth*  merciles  he  sleth;  [p.  440] 

whom  he  hated   i^       ,     c  i   •  i       i  i    i  •  i 

and  destroyed    lirak  traiu/chises  and  old  libertes. 

franchises  and      /-i^i  •  •  •  j      j       •  I   "       j    ^I_ 

old  liberties.       1  lie  pccple  pleynid,  desiryng  sore  his  detn. 

Cried  vengaunce  aboute  in  ther  citees  2724 

For  tiranye  doon  in  the  contrees. 
Which  was  cause  of  gret  discencioun 
And  of  ther  cite  almost  subuersiouw. 

The  people       Thus  thei  wem  among  hewzsilff  deuided  2728 

desired  his  _,  ,  ,  •  ± 

death  and         1*  Or  thct  sodcyn  gr^uous  oppressioun. 
They  had^"""  Lak  of  forsiht,  that  thei  wer  nat  prouided 
to  s-S* the"'^^'  To  seen  myscheeuys  that  sholde  falle  in  ^e  touw. 
w3'd"oi\otv,     This  verray  soth:  wher  is  dyuysioun,  2732 

Be  witnesse  and  record  of  scripture. 
May  no  kyngdam  nor  cite  long  endure. 

for  which  they  For  which  thei  gaw  cowpleyne  oon  &  all, 

now  complained;,^       ,  ,  111 

and  finally  they  Dothc  the  grete  and  al  the  comouwte;  2736 

5pfre"hi°  ^°^'    And  of  accord  amowg  thewsilff  thei  fall 
destruction.       j^  refoutme  the  hurt  of  ther  cite. 

And  fynalli  the[i]  condescendid  bee 

Bi  a  maner  fell  coniuraciouw  2740 

To  proceede  to  his  destruccioun. 

One  day  they    Vpon  a  day,  thei  armed  in  steel  briht, 

armed  them-        ■.  ,  ~  .    y  c     \ 

selves  and  Magnates  hrSt,  with  comouws  or  the  touw, 

sUy  this  '  "'  Alle  of  assent  thei  roos  up  anon  riht,  2744 

i^d^iege'to  Gan  to  crie  &  make  an  hidous  soun: 

his  palace.  "  L^,.  gjg  ^j^jg  titaunt!  lat  vs  pulle  hyw  doun!  " 

Leide  a  siege  be  myhti  violence 

AfForn  his  paleis,  wher  he  was  in  Florence.  2748 

2715.   accrochith  H,  Acrochith  R  3,  Accrocheth  P. 
2721.   hateth]  hated  B.       2724.   ther]]  othir  H,  R  3. 


2725.   the]  theire 


2736.   1st  the]  o  ft 


their  P. 


2729.   oppressioun]  oppressiouns  B  —  greuous  sodeyn  J,  P, 


le  J  —  2nd  the]  of  the  J. 


BK.  1X3 


The  Story  of  Duke  Gaultier 


997 


Swich  as  wern  enclyned  to  Gaulteer, 

Amyd  the  paleis,  the  stori  doth  vs  lerne, 

Teschewe  the  seege,  v^ith  ful  heuy  cheere 

Ordeyned  hemsilf  to  fleen  awey  ful  yerne  2752 

Out  of  the  strengthe  bi  a  smal  posterne, 

Wha«  Florentynes  dide  ther  labour 

To  vndermyne  round  aboute  the  tour. 

Of  which[e]  thing  whan  Gaulteer  gan  take  heed,  2756 

This  massage  he  sente  onto  the  toun, 

Nat  of  trouthe,  but  feynyngli  for  dreed, 

Made  promys  be  fals  collusioun 

For  to  make  ful  restitucioun  2760 

Of  ther  fredamys,  as  thei  list  deuise; 

Sent  hem  out  [oon]  Guyllamyn  Dassise, 

Which  to  the  cite  was  preeuid  vttir  foo; 

Hadde  afForn[e]  doon  hem  gret  damage.  2764 

With  Guillamyn  to  them  he  sent  also 

His  sone  and  heir  to  stynte  al  ther  rage,  — 

Wers  than  his  fadir  of  wil  and  of  corage. 

Bothe  attonis  wer  hangid  anon  riht  2768 

Tofor  the  paleis  in  Gaulteres  siht. 

Another  also,  that  callid  was  Herry, 

Which  hadde  afForn[e]  youe  instruccioun 

Vnto  Gaulteer  and  was  eek  gret  enmy  2772 

To  steren  hym  ageyn  that  noble  toun, 

Gynner  and  ground  of  ther  dyuisioun,  — 

Which  tofor  Gaulteer,  his  iugement  to  shewe. 


His  friends 
were  glad  to 
flee  by  a  small 
postern; 


With  sharp[e]  suerdis  he  was  al  to-hewe. 

Thexecucioun  doon  upon  thes  thre 

In  Tuscan  born,  the  rancour  did  appese* 

Of  Florentynes,  to  staunche  the[r]  cruelte 

Ageyn  Gaulteer,  and  to  his  lyff  gret  ese. 

He  glad  tescape  out  of  his  disese, 

Fledde  away  in  ful  secre  wise. 

The  toun  restorid  ageyn  to  ^per  franchise. 

Thus  he  loste  be  his  insolence 
Al  his  poweer  and  domynacioun 
Bothe  of  Tuscan  and  also  of  Florence; 


2776 


2780 


2784 


but  Gautier 
promised 
to  restore  the 
liberties  of  the 
town  and  sent 
out  one 
William 
d'Assise, 


an  enemy  of 
the  city,  and 
his  own  son, 
who  was  even 
worse  than 
his  father. 
Both  were 
immediately 
hanged  before 
the  palace. 


Another  enemy 
of  the  town, 
called  Herry, 
who  had 
incited 
Gaultier  to 
new  outrages, 
was  cut  in 
pieces  with 
swords. 


After  these 
three  were 
executed    the 
anger  of  the 
Florentines 
lessened,  and 
Gaultier 
managed 
to  escape. 


Thus  by  his 
insolence  he 
lost  all  his 
power. 


2762.  oon3  om.  J. 

2763.  vttir]  a  gret  H,  R  3,  a  great  P. 

2765.  With]  off  H  —  he  sent  to  them  J.      2767.   2nd  of]  or  H. 

2773.  steren]  restoren  H.  2778.   appese]  espie  B,  J. 


998 


He  w«nt  to 
King  John 
of  trance, 


and  wai  at 
the  battle  of 
Poitiera 

when  John  was 
taken  prisoner. 
He  fled  like 
a  coward 


and,  falling 

into  the  hands 

of  »ome 

Lombard 

soldiers, 

was  slain  by  a 

certain 

Florentine. 


The  Story  of  Philippa  Catanensi  [bk.  IX 

And  as  myn  aiicto;<r  makcth  menciouw, 

Fro  Lii7;;hardie  he  is  descciulid  dout;,  2788 

Drouh  to  kyng  lohn  regny«g  tho  in  France, 

And  of  berthe  ful  nih  of  alliaunce. 

As  I  fynde  he  was  on  that  partie 

Wkh  kyng  lohn,  this  Gaulteer,  Hk  a  kniht;  2792 

Whan  that  the  kyng  with  al  his  cheualrie 

Was  take  hy7nsilf,  his  lordis  put  to  fliht, 

Into  Inglond  lad  aftir  anon  riht, — 

The  saide  Gaulteer,  hauyng  no  reward  2796 

To  his  disworshep,*  fledde  lik  a  coward. 

Mette  in  his  fliht  with  dyuers  soudiowrs 

Of  Lumbardie  abidyng  wzt^  kyng  lohn, 

Which  that  tyme  as  brigavntis  &  pillowrs  2800 

Took  this  Gaulteer,  ledde  hym  foorth  anon,  — 

His  force,  his  corage,  his  herte  was  agon: 

Of  auenture  a  certeyn  Florentyn 

Smet  of  his  hed;  this  was  his  fatal  fyn.  2804 


Next  in 
order,  weeping 
and  trembling, 
came  Philipot 
Catbenoise. 


[Off  Philip  Cathenoise  born  of  lowe  birthe 
cam  to  grete  estat  /&  aftir  she  hir  son 
&  doughtir  were  brent.]  ^ 

ESPREYNT  vfith  teres,  &  [with]  a  woful 
noise,  [p.  44^] 


B 


Tofor  Bochaj-  quakyng  in  sorwe  &  dred, 

Next  in  ordre  caw  Phelipp  Cathenoise, 

Poore  of  degre,  born  of  louh  kynreede,  2808 

Which  roos  aftir  to  gret  estat  in  deede. 

Gan  with  gret  sorwe  a  compleynt  ful  mortall, 

Ceriousli  to  telle  hir*  woful  fall. 

Although  she     Touchyng  hir  berthe,  dirk  was  hir  lynage,  2812 

estate" shf  was  Of  poorc  bed[de]  born  on  outher  side; 
te  lit'^       Bochas  was  loth  to  spende  gret  langage 
Sing"'"       On  hir  historie,  long  theron  tabide, 
trme'^o^he''r      Purposed  hym  nothyng  for  to  hide  2816 

story.  Of'the  substaunce,  but  telle  al  the  grete, 

And  superfluite  of  the  remnant  lete. 

2797.   disworshep3  worshep  B,  J  —  lik]  as  H. 

2807.   Philip  J,  R  3,  P. 

2811.  hir]  the  B,  his  J.        2818.  remnant]  tyraunt  H. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  181  recto. 


BK. 


IX] 


The  Story  of  Philippa  Catanensi 


999 


Which  was  rehersed  to  hym  in  his  youthe 

Whan  he  was  toward  Robert  of  Cicile,  2820 

Kyng  of  Iherusalem,  the  stori  is  nat  kouth; 

Yit  in  his  book  he  hst  it  to  compile 

And  it  reherse  be  ful  souereyw  stile, 

Lik  in  that  court  as  it  was  [to]  hym  told  2824 

Bi  oon  Bulgar  clad  in  a  slaueyw  old. 

The  saide  Bulgar  was  a  maryneer, 

With  whom  also  was  a  Calabrien 

Callid  Constawtyn,  which  ful  many  a  yeer  2828 

Trauailled  hadde  &  sondry  thynges  seen 

In  dyuers  centres  ther  he  hadde  been. 

Mong  other  thiwges  seyn  in  ther  daies  olde, 

This  was  a  stori  which[e]  Bulgar  tolde.  2832 

Duk  of  Calabre,  Robert  be  his  name, 

Bi  his  fadir  Charlis,  the  myhti  kyng, 

Hadde  in  comaundement,  his  stori  seith  l)e  same, 

Geyn  Frederik  to  make  a  strong  ridywg;  2836 

Which  be  force  proudli  vsurpiwg, 

Took  upon  hym  to  be  lord  of  that  ile, 

Which  callid  was  the  kyngdam  of  Cicile. 

Drepanne  in  soth[e]  callid  was  the  toun  2840 

Wher  Duk  Robert  his  pauylouws  pihte, 

Redi  armyd,  thoruh  his  hih  renoun 

Geyn  Frederik  for  that*  lond  to  fihte 

And  withstonde  hym  pleynli  yif  he  myhte.  2844 

And  so  befill,  the  morwe  tofor  prime 

The  dukis  wifF  of  childyng  bood  hir  tyme. 

Violaunt  men  dide  that  ladi  call, 

In  hir  tyme  a  famous  gret  duchesse;  2848 

Destitut  of  other  women  all. 

Whan  hir  child  was  born  in  that  distresse, 

To  yiue  it  souke,  the  stori  doth  expresse, 

Saue  fro*  myscheefF  Philipot  was  brouht  neer,      2852 

Of  Cathenoise,  the  dukis  cheef  lauendeer. 

Bi  a  fisshere,  which  was  hir  husbonde, 

A  child  she  hadde,  lyuyng  be  ther  trauaile, 


However,  he 
decided  to 
tell  it  in 
outline  as  he 
had  heard  it 
in  his  youth 
from  one 
Bulgar,  a 
mariner,  when 
he  was  at 
the  court  of 
King  Robert 
of  Sicily. 

With  the  said 
Bulgar  was  a 
Calabrian 
called 

Constantlne, 
who  had 
travelled  far. 
Bulgar's  tale 
was  as 
follows: 


Robert, 
Duke  of 
Calabria,  was 
commanded  by 
his  father  to 
make  war  on 
Frederick  III. 
of  Aragon, 
who  had 
usurped  the 
kingdom  of 
Sicily; 

and 

while  Robert 
was   encamped 
at  Depranum 
the  Duchess 
Violanta  was 
delivered  of  a 
child, 


and  having 
no  other 
nurse,  she 
employed 
Philipot,  the 
Duke's  chief 
laundress, 


whose 

husband  was 
a  fisherman. 


2824.  to]  om.  H,  R  3.  2835.   his]  the  J. 

2840.   Depranum  P.  2841.    Robert]  Roger  P. 

2843.   that]  the  B,  J,  P.  2845.   befor  H,  before  J. 

2852.   Saue]  And  H  — fro]  for  B,  J,  H  5,  P,  R  3  —  Philipot] 
Philip  P. 


lOOO  The  Story  of  Philippa  Catanensi  [bk.  IX 

Thu.  PiiiiirKit    Which  fro  the  se  onto  the  court  be  londe  aStie 

became  nur»e       t-v  i         i  •      i       •       -i 

to  the  Dav  he  day  caned  vitaile. 

Ducheu,  and        *      'i    -         i   ■  i  •  i  •< 

lived  ia  luxury,  Aiul  111  tliis  caas,  becausc  it  niyhte  auaile, 

Phihpot  was  hrouht,  in  this  gr^'t  streihtnesse, 

To  he  notice  onto  the  duchesse.  2860 

•"'^.«<j°"'-       Wher  she  was  cherisshed  aftlr  hir  desirs, 
mistress  Kch  thyng  rccdi  whan  that  euer  she  sente. 

where  the         \\  ix.h  the  duchcssc  niong  other  chauwzberers 

Into  Naples  I  fynde  that  she  wente,  2864 

Til  Antropos,  froward  of  entente, 

Made  of  this  child,  ther  is  no  nior  to  seyne, 

The  lyues  threed[e]  for  to  breke  in  tweyne. 

^*"^i?*^"'''"''   With  kyng  Charlis,  of  whom  I  spak  toforn,  2868 

of  Champagne.      .  -'      ="  i      •    i     •       i   •      ,  , 

King  Charles'    As  xwyn  zxxctouT  teniewbrith  in  his  book, 
once  bought      Was  oon  Raymond  cf  Chau7;;payne  born, 
chUdVom"*"     ^^  hich  with  the  kyng  was  callid  maist^r  cook. 

a  pirate  and        p^^^  ^^  ^  j^y  j^j^  [^^^^^  }^g  ^^^^  ^g^^ 

Toward  the  se;   a  pirat,  as  I  fynde. 

Sold  hym  a  child  which  was  born  in  Ynde. 

made  him  a      Lik  Ethiopiens  was  his  coloi<r; 

Christian  and      -^  i  i  •  in  i   t        i      i  i 

taught  him  to    T  ot  whom  this  COOK  Kaymond  hath  deuysed,        2876 
cook.  Be  his  notable  [&]  dilligent  labour, 

Made  hyw  cristene;   &  so  he  was  baptised; 

Gaff  hym  his*  name,  &  hath  also  practised 

Hym  to  promoote,  that  he  vpon  hyw  took  2880 

Bi  his  doctryne  to  be  maister  cook; 

^ter^^^ymond  Fot  he  soone  afftir  took  the  ordr^  of  kniht. 
knight,  the       The  Ethiopicn  wex  a  good  officeer, 

Ethiopian  was     ^^  .    ,  •         i        i  •        -i 

made  lord  of     Uat  suich  gtacc  in  the  kyngis  siht,  2884 

wa^rdrobe!  and   To  bc  aboutc  hym  [was  btouht  up]  mor  neer; 
was°buck!^^       Be  processe  he  was  maad  wardropeer; 
husband  had"*"  ^"^  thouh  he  was  blak  of  his  visage, 
him'  ^^"'^^     To  Cathenoise  was  ioyned  in  mariage.  2888 

He  grew  bold    Wcx  malapert,  and  of  presumpcioun  [p.  442] 

king  to  knight  To  be  maad  kniht  the  kyng  he  gaw  requeere, 
the 'king  did.     Which  of  fredam  and  gret  affeccioun 

Is  condescendid  to  graunten  his  praieere.  2892 

But  to  declare  pleynli  the  maneere, 

2859.   Philip  P.  2867.   in]  on  H,  J,  R  3,  H  5. 

2872.    his]  this  J,  P.  2875.    Ethiopes  H. 

2877.    &]  om.  J.         2878.    cristened  J.         2879.  his]  the  B,  J. 

2885.  was  brouht  up]  om.  P,  J.  2887.   blak]  om.  H. 


BK.  IX] 


The  Story  of  Philippa  Catanensi 


lOOI 


In  this  tyme  Violaunt  the  duchesse, 
AfFor  remewbred,  deide  of  seeknesse. 

Aftir  whos  deth,  the  book  doth  certefie,  2896 

How  Duk  Robert  of  Naples  the  cite 

Weddid  a  ladi  that  calHd  was  Sansie, 

To  whom  PhiHpot,  as  fill  to  hir  degre, 

With  diUigence  and  gret  humyhte  2900 

To  plesen  hire  did  so  hir  deueer, 

That  of  hir  couwsail  ther  was  now  so  neer. 

Euere  redi  at  hir  comauwdement, 

Wrouhte  atires  plesaunt  of  dehht,  2904 

With  holsum  watres  that  wer  redolent 

To  make  hir  skyn  bi  wasshyng  soote  &  whiht, 

Made  confecciouws  to  serue  hir  appetiht. 

Bi  hir  husbonde,  the  stori  who  list  see,  2908 

The  same  Philipot  hadde  childre  thre. 

She  was  kunwyng  &  of  hir  port  prudent; 

Chose  be  fauour  for  to  be  maistresse 

To  faire  lane,  yong  and  innocent,  2912 

Which  douhtir  was  to  the  gret  duchesse 

Of  Calabre;   and  ferthermor  texpresse, 

Hir  husbonde  Thethiopien  with-al 

Of  Charlis  houshold  was  maad  senescall.  2916 

"  O  Lord!  "  quod  Boch^j,  spak  of  hih  disdeyn, 

"  What  meueth  this  Fortune  for  to  make  cheers. 

With  hir  fauour  to  reise  up  a  foreyw 

Vpon  hir  wheel,  with  brihte  fethres  cleer.f ;  2920 

But  of  custum  it  is  ay  hir  maneer^f 

Fairest  tappeer<f  wit^  cheer  and  contenaunce, 

Whan  she  wil  brywge  a  man  vnto  myschauwce. 

For  he  that  was  a  boy  the  laste  day,  2924 

An  Ethiopien  brouw  and  horrible  of  siht, 

And  afor-tyme  in  the  kechyn  lay 

Among  the  pottis  with  baudi  cote  aniht. 

Now  [he]  of  neue  hath*  take  the  ordre  of  kniht,   2928 

With  kyng  Charlis  now  is  he  senescall: 

Swich  sodeyn  clymbyng  axeth  a  sodeyn  fall." 


At  this  time 
Violanta  died, 
and  Duke 
Robert  married 
a  lady  called 
Sancia,  with 
whom  Philipot 
soon  became 
very  intimate. 


Philipot  fiad 
three  children, 


and  as  she 
was  prudent 
and  knowing 
she  became 
governess  of 
Jane,  daughter 
of  the  Duchess 
of  Calabria. 
The  Ethiopian 
was  made 
seneschal  of 
Charles' 
household. 

"O  Lord," 
said  Bochas, 
"why  should 
Fortune  so 
lift  up  an 
alien,  especially 
an  ugly. 


brown 
Ethiopian, 
who  once  lay 
among  the 
pots  in  the 
kitchen! 
Such  sudden 
climbing  asks 
a  sudden  fall." 


2894.  this]  his  H.      2896.   doth]  om.  H. 

2897.  Robert]  Roger  P. 

2901.  hir]  corrected  jrom  his  to  hir  B.       2906.   wasshyn  H. 

2918.  for]  om.  H,  R  3.       2923.   vnto]  \n  to  H. 

2928.  he]  om.  J  —  hath]  haue  B. 


I002 


He  and  Philipot 
hii  wife  rose 
to  great  wealth, 
and  (heir  sons 
made  stately 
mnrriagei  and 
became  knights. 
But  their 
father  died  at 
the  height  of 
his  prosperity 
and  had  a 
great  funeral. 

Thus  Fortune 
can  change. 
The  eldest 
son  also  died, 
and  the  second 
son  left  his 
books  to  take 
his  father's 
place. 


2940 


2944 


The  Story  of  Philip  pa  Catantrnsi  [bk.  ix 

He  and  Philipot,  his  vviff",  fro  pouerte 

Been  enhaiu/sid  and  rise  to  gret  richesse;  2932 

TweN'ne  of  ther  sonis  statli  niaried  bee; 

And  for  fauo;/r  nior  than  worthynesse 

Took  ordre  of  kniht;   &  in  his  most  hihnesse 

1  her  fader  deide,  w  hos  feeste  funerall  2936 

Was  soleiiipnised  and  holde  ful  roiall. 

Thus  can  Fortune  chau?zgen  as  the  moone, 

Hir  brihte  face  dirked  with  a  skie: 

His  eldest  sone  deide  aftir  soone; 

The  secou7/de  lefft  up  his  clergie, 

To  be  maad  kniht  gan  hywsilf  applie, 

Stede  of  his  fader,  pleynli  as  I  reede, 

In  his  offis  be  fauoz^r  to  succeede. 

Phiiipot's         Thus  be  processe  fro  Philipot  anon  riht, 

welfare  was  t~v      i         r  i   •      i         i  i  r        •  • 

in  part  eclipsed;  Ueth  of  hir  husbonde  &  [of]  hir  sonis  tweyne, 

but  as  the  t^  .  •         i-  i    i         i        i        ,•! 

fortune  in  parti  eclipsed  hath  the  liht 

Of  hir  weelfare  &  ga?j  at  hir  disdeyne.  2948 

Yit  euene  lik,  as  wha?j  that  it  doth  reyne, 

Phebus  aftir  sheweth  mor  cleernesse. 

So  she  fro  trouble  roos  to  mor  noblesse. 

I  meene  as  thus,  r-fhersiwg  no  v^rtu  2952 

In  hir  persone  that  men  koude  espie, 

But  onli  this,  be  title  of  this  issu: 

Whan  Charlis  douhtir  lane  on  that  partie 

Was  to  the  kyng  weddid  of  Hungrie,  2956 

Callid  Andree,  a  man  of  gret  corage, 

His  saide  wifF  but  riht  tendr^  of  age, 

The  same  lane,  nat  al  wft^oute  vice, 
As  is  rehersed  suwiwhat  be  myn  auctowr,  2960 

To  whom  Philipot  whilom  was*  norice, 
As  ye  haue  herd,  and  be  ful  gret  labowr 
Of  saide  lane,  Robert  made  gou^rnowr, 
Sone  of  Philipot,  for  a  gret  reward,  2964 

Made  of  Scicile  &  of  that  lond  stiward. 
The  Sicilians     This  fauout  doon  to  Philipot  Cathenoise 

were  indignant.    ^  j    •         i  i         i  •      t 

L^aused  in  that  lond  gret  indignacioun, 

Whos  douhtres  weddyng  caused  eek  gr<?t  noise,     2968 


sun  shines 
brightest  after 
a  rain,  she 
too  rose  to 
still  greater 
glory. 


Jane,  who 
was  not 

above  criticism, 
married  king 
Andreas  of 
Hungary, 


and  for 
a  large 
bribe  and  by 
great  labour 
had  Philipot's 
son  Robert 
made  governor 
of  Sicily. 


2934.  than]  J)an  for  H. 

2945.  Phillippe  P.       2951. 

2957.  Andreas  P.       2958. 

2959.  Stanza  repeated  H. 


2937.   holde]  kept  H. 
noblesse]  gladnesse  H. 
His  saide]  he  seid  his  J. 
2961.  was  whilom  B. 


BK.  1X3 


The  Story  of  Philippa  Catanensi 


1003 


Maried  to  Charlis  the  gret  erl  of  Marchou«, 

Which  gafF  to  folk  gret  occasiouw 

To  deeme  amys  aboute  in  ech  centre, 

That  al  that  lond  was  gou^rned  be  tho  thre,         2972 

Be  queen  lane  and  Philipot  Cathenoise  [p.  443] 

A«d  saide  Robert,  stiward  of  Cicile, 

Sone  to  PhiHpot;  this  was  the  comouw  voise:  — 

The  queen  and  Robert  be  ther  sotil  wile  2976 

Hadde  of  assent  vsed  a  long[e]  while 

The  hatful  synwe  of  auout[e]rie, — 

Roos  in  Cicile  &  went  up  to  Hungrie. 

For  queen  lane  began  no  manifr  thing  2980 

But  Cathenoise  assentid  wer  therto; 

Thexecucioun  and  fulli  the  werkiwg 

Brouht  to  conclusioun,  be  Robert  al  was  do. 

And  in  this  title  roos  a  stryf  also,  2984 

A  disclaundrous  and  a  froward  discord 

Atween  the  queen  &  hym  that  was  hir  lord. 

Hard  to  proceede  upon  suspecioun, 
Sclauwdre  is  swifFt,  lihtli  taketh  his  fliht; 
For  which  men  sholde  eschewe  thoccasioun 
Of  fame  and  noise,  &  euery  man^r  wiht 
Bi  prouidence  remembre  in  his  forsiht, 
Whan  the  report  is  thoruh  a  lond  Ironne, 
Hard  is  to  stynte  it  whan  it  is  begonne. 

Withstonde  principles,  occasiouns  to  declyne, 

List  vnwarli  ther  folwe  gret  damage; 

To  late  kometh  the  salue  and  medecyne 

To  festrid  soris  whan  thei  be  incurable. 

And  in  caas  verray  resemblable, 

Teschewe  slaundre  list  nat  for  to  spare, 

May  nat  faillen  to  fallen  in  the  snare.  3000 

Thus  for  a  tyme  the  sclaundre  was  kept  cloos, 

Al-be-it  so  it  did  a  while  abide, 

Another  mischeef  than*  pitousli  aroos. 

Which  afFtirward  spradde  abrood  ful  wide:  3004 

Auoutrye  to  moordre  is  a  guide,  — 

Set  at  a  preefF,  myn  auctOMt  doth  recorde, 

The  kyng  Andree  was  stranglid  v^ith  a  corde. 


Philipot's 
daughter  then 
married  the 
earlof  Marcon, 
which  increased 
her  power. 


2996 


It  was  common 
gossip  that 
Robert  and 
Queen  Jane 
had  long  been 
committing 
adultery. 


The  news 
reached 
Hungary,  and 
there  was 
strife  between 
the  king  and 
queen. 


Slander  travels 
swiftly  and, 
2988     once  begun, 
is  hard  to 
stop; 


2992 


so  it  is  better 
not  to  give 
occasion  for  it: 
salve  comes 
too  late  when 
a  sore  is 
festered  and 
incurable. 


For  a  time  the 
scandal  was 
suppressed;  but 
soon  another 
mischief  arose: 
King  Andreas 
was  murdered. 


2971.  deemed  don  H. 

3003.  than]  ful  B,  J,  P,  H  5,  om.  R  3. 


I004  '4n  Envoy  on  Pbilippa  Catanensi  [|bk.  ix 

Hugh,  Eariof   Out  of  liIs  cliaiu/ibrc  reised  a  gret  heilite  3008 

Avcllino,  under-  .^.  •  i    r    i  •  • 

took  to  punish   1)1  a  coniectecl  tals  conspiracioiui, 

t  e  crime,  an     pj^  ^^^^  entrctcd,  broulit  doun  be  a  slclhte, 

Afttir  stranplld,  as  iiiaad  is  nie?/cioun. 

\\  hos  dctb  to  piinli]slie  be  coni/;;yssioiin,  3012 

Iluhe  Krl  of  Aiulyii  be  a  patent  large 

To  be  iuge  took  on  hym  the  cbarge. 

Phiiipot,  her     Of  this  moordrc  roos  up  a  gret  noise, 

son  and  her         _^  .  ,  •      r    i      i  i  i  i 

daughter,  were  DC  euidcncis  lul  abnomynable,  3016 

a°"j"bu''rn't'at     PhiHpot  [Ijcallid  Cathenoisc, 

the  ttakc.         pjjj.  j-m^g^  iijj.  (Jouhtir,  that  thei  wer  coupable; 

Doom  was  youe  be  iuges  ful  notable; 

And  to  conclude  shortli  ther  iugement,  3020 

Wi't^  cheynis  bouwde  to  stakis  thei  wer  brent. 


[Lenvoye.] 
This  tragedy     ^~I~^HIS  tragcdie  afforn  rehersed  heer 

tells  the  evils  I  't'    ii-    i        i         i  r 

of  presumption:    X      1  ellith  the  damages  or  pr^sumpcioun, 

no  one  is  more    t->  •  j       i  i 

cruel  than  a      Dexperience  declaryng  pe  maneer,  3024 

ritirto'domi-    Whan  beggers  rise  to  domynacioun, 
nation.  jg  j^^j^  gQ  drecdful  execuciouw 

Of  cruelte,  yif  it  be  weel  souht, 

Than  of  such  oon  that  cam  up  of  nouht.  3028 

Phiiipot  was      Record  on  Phiiipot,  that  with  humble  cheer 

at  first  a  simple    t-,-  i  p  i 

laundress;  but    Di  sodcyn  tauoMr  and  supportaciouM, 

when  she  came   ttti   •    i  r  l  11  J 

to  estate  she     VVhich  was  totor  a  symple  smal  lauendeer 
CrbinT''^""^  Of  no  valu  nor  reputaciouw,  3032 

Be  Fortunys  gery  mutacioun, 
Shad  out  hir  malis,  testat  whan  she  was  brouht, 
List  nat  cowsidre  how  she  cam  up  of  nouht. 

Where  is  Whcr  mor  disdeyn  or  wher  is  mor  daungeer,         3036 

there  more  r\  r  ^  • 

scornful  pride    Or  mor  troward  comunycacioun, 

evu^jmlfany  or  Mor  vengablc  vcnym  doth  appeere, 

imo^'pwSe"  Nor  mor  sleihti  fals  supplantacioun, 

out°o7^nothing?  ^ot  mor  conspired  vnwar  coUusioun,  3040 

Nor  vndermynywg  doon  couertli  &  wrouht, 
Than  of  such  folk  that  komen  up  of  nouht? 

3CX38.  heihte]  liht  H.  3015.   this]  his  H. 

3017.  IcaUid]  that  called  was  P,  callid  H,  J. 

3027.  souht]  I  sought  J,  out  sought  P. 

3029.  on]  of  H,  R  3,  H  5  —  Philip  P. 


BK.  1x3         '^he  Fate  of  King  Sancho  of  Majorca 

Fortunys  chauwges  &  meeuywges  circuleer, 
Wit^  hir  most  stormy  transmutaciouw,  3044 

Now  oon  set  up  ful  hih  in  hir  chaieer, 
Enhauwceth  vicious,  vertuous  she  put  douw; 
Record  on  PhiUpot,  whos  venymous  tresoun 
Compassid  afForn[e]  in  hir  secre  thouht,  3048 

The  deede  brak  out,  whan  she  caw  up  of  nouht. 

Noble  Princis,  with  yowr  briht  eien  cleer 

Aduertiseth  in  your  discrecioun. 

That  no  flaterer  com  in  your  court  to  neer  3052 

Be  no  fraude  of  fals  decepciouw, 

Alwey  remewbryng  afForn  in  yowr  resouw 

On  this  tragedie,  and  on  the  tresoun  wrouht 

Bi  fals  flaterers  that  caw  up  of  nouht.  3056 


1005 

Fortune  often 
sets  up  the 
vicious  and 
puts  down  the 
virtuous. 


Noble  Princes, 
remember  this 
tragedy  and 
the  treason 
done  by 
false  flatterers 
who  came  up 
of  nought! 


[How  Ijyng  Sausys  was  slayn  by  his  Cosyn  whiche 
was  brothir  to  the  kyng  of  Arrogon.]  ^ 


THE  tyme  kam  that  of  his  [gret]  trauaile  [p. 
Bochaj  dempte,  holdyng  for  Jie  beste, 
This  noble  poete  of  Florence  &  Itaile, 
To  make  his  penne  a  while  for  to  teste, 
Closed  his  book  &*  shette  it  in  his  cheste; 
But  or  he  mihte  spere  it  with  the  keie, 
Kam  thre  princis  and  meekli  gaw  hyw  preye, 

Amongis  othre  remewbrid  in  his  book 
Ther  greuauwces  breeffli  to  declare. 
Wherwith  Mochas  gan  cast  up  his  look, 
And  of  compassiouw  beheeld  her  pitowj  fare, 
Thouhte  he  wolde  for  no  slouthe  spare 
To  ther  requestis  goodli  condescende. 
And  of  his  book  so  to  make  an  eende. 

And  he  gan  first  reherse  be  writyng, 
And  his  cowpleynt  ful  pitousli  he  made, 
Touchyng  the  fall[e]  of  the  grete  kyng 
Icallid  Sause,  which  his  soiowr  hade. 
The  place  namyd  was  Astrosiade; 


444] 


3060 


Bochas  now 

thought 

to  rest  a  while 

from  his 

labour, 

so  he  shut  up 

his  book  in  a 

chest;   but 

before  he  could 

turn  the  key, 


3064    three  kings 
came  and 
prayed  him  to 
remember  their 
grievances. 
Of  compassion 
he  could'  not 
refuse,  and 
with  their 
stories  he 
made  an 
end  of  the 
Fall  of  Princes. 

The  first  was 
Sancho,  who 
3072     lived  in  the 
Balearic  Isles. 


3068 


3047.  on]  of  H,  R  3. 


3045.  hir]  his  H,  the  J. 

3061.  &]  to  B,  R  3,  H  s. 

3074.  Sause]  Sautius  P  —  hade]  made  H 

3075.  was]  om.  H,  R  3. 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  182  verso. 


ioo6  The  Fate  of  King  Sancho  of  Majorca         [bk.  ix 

And,  as  he  writ,  a  litil  ther  beside  3076 

Was  a  smal  isle  callid  Gcmaside. 

Hit  kingdom      Bothe  thcs  isles  togidre  knct  in  oon, 
Majorca.  anJ      Wlicf  Sausis  liaddc  liis  domynacioun, 

there  he  lived       ■.  •  1111 

in  peace.  Lyuywgmpcs;  enmy  hadde  he  non;  3080 

,  In  long  quicte  hccld  pocessiouw. 
\\  hos  kyngdam  hool,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 
In  that  vulgar,  myn  auctowr  writ  pe  same, 
Of  Malliogrcs  plcy;di  bar  l)e  name.  3084 

Ther  is  also  another  smaller  isle* 
Callid  Maillorge;   &  of  bothe  tweyne 
The  seid[e]  kyng  was  lord  a  gret[e]  while, 
Keeping  his  stat  notable  and  souereyne.  3088 

until  his  cousin,  Hauyng  a  cosyn,  gan  at  hy^n  disdeyne, 

brother  of  the     .-.,.-',    °  i  i   •  • 

king  of  Aragon,  vVhich  btothet  was,  as  maad  is  mencioun, 
ene^'   '*        Vnto  the  kyng  that  tyme  of  Arragoun. 

it.'s  ,     .        In  thes  isles,  remenibrid  be  writyngis,  3092 

said  that  in  .,  ,  '  •  i  -i 

these  isles         Whan  the  peeple  went  into  bataile, 
M8t1ng°swnes    Was  the  vsage  founde  up  first  of  slyngis, 
fiistTnienTed!"    Wzt^  cast  of  stoon  ther  enmyes  to  assaile; 

Thei  hadde  of  shot  non  othir  apparaile  3096 

In  that  tyme;  arblast  nouther  bowe 
Parauenture  was  tho  but  litil  knowe. 

Finally  Sancho's  Alle  thes  conttcs  wer  callid  but  o  lond, 

cousin  came         ..^i  i  o  •      1         IJ 

down  from        Whet  that  bausis  heeld  pocessioun,  3100 

an*irm7  and     Til  his  cosyn  with  Strong  &  myhti  bond 
k^gdom^and"    [And]  with  gret  poweer  sodenli  ca??z  doun; 
Brouhte  peeple  out  of  Arragoun, 
Fill  on  kyng  Sausis,  feeble  in  his  difFence,  3104 

Gat  that  kyndam  be  knihtli  violence. 

•mote  off  his     The  ballauncc  was  nat  of  euene  peis 

they  were         Atween  thes  co'syns,  who  that  list  take  heed; 

nearly  related,     t->         •       i  •  i  •       a 

no  courtesy       T  ot  in  his  conquest  this  Arogoneis  3108 

Th^t  'da^        Of  cruelte  bad  smyten  of  the  bed 

Of  kyng  Sausis,  quakyng  in  his  dreed. 

Thouh  it  stood  so  thei  wer  nih,of  allie, 

Ther  was  that  day  shewed  no  curteisie.  3112 

3077.  was3wjt^H  —  Emacide  P.  3079.   Sautius  (/^rowg^ 

out)  P.  3085.   isle]  Islee  B.  3086.   Maiora  P. 

3098.  was  tho  but]  J)at  tyme  was  H.  3100.   that]  om.  P. 

3108.  this]  the  J  —  Aragoneise  H,  Arageneys  R  3,  Arragoneys 
J,  Arrogoneys  P. 


BK.  IX] 


Louis  of  Jerusalem  and  Sicily 


1007 


[How  Lowes  kyng  of  Jerusalem  &  Cecile  was  put 
doun.]  ^ 

AFFTIR  this  storie  told  in  woordes  fewe, 
And  of  kyng  Sausis  slayw  be  tiranwye, 
^er  caw  a  prince,  &  gaw  his  face  shewe, 
Callid  Lowis  lord  of  Trynacrye,  3116 

The  same  isle  [w]as  in  that  partie 
Callid  Cicane,  the  stori  tellith  thus, 
Aftir  the  name  of  kyng  Siculus. 

Trynacrye,  a  contre  merueillous,  3120 

Took  first  his  name  of  famous  hilles  thre: 

The  cheeff  of  hem  is  callid  Pellorus, 

The  next  Pachinvs,*  the  thridde  Lillibe, 

Nat  fer  from  Ethna  the  saide  hille[s]  be,  3124 

Beside  a  se  ful  pereilous  and  ille. 

With  too  dauwgeeris  Karibdis  and  eek  Scille. 

This  saide  Lowys,  kyng  of  Iherusalem 

And  of  Sicile,  the  book  maketh  menciouw,  3128 

Which  was  enchasid  &  put  out  of  his  rewm 

Bi  another  Lowis  and  put  douw, 

Eendid  in  pouert,  for  short  cowclusiouw. 

This  laste  Lowis  of  pite  did  hym  grace,  3132 

Til  he  deide  to  haue  a  duellyng  place. 


Louis,  lord  of 
Trinacria,  or 
Sicania,  which 
was  named 
after  King 
Siculus,  a 


wonderful 
country  with 
three  famous 
hills,  Pelorum. 
Pachynum, 
and  Lily- 
baeum,  not 
far  from  Etna, 


was  chased  out 
of  his  realm 
and  put  down 
by  another 
Louis,  who  had 
at  least  the 
grace  to  give 
him  a  dwelling 
place  till  he 
died. 


[How  k3mg  John  of  fraunce  at  Peyters  was  take 
prisonere  by  Prynce  Edward  &  brou3t  in  to 
Englond.]  2 

NEXT  of  alle  and  laste  of  euerichon, 
Cursyng  Fortune  with  al  hir  variauwce, 
Makyng  his  cowpleywt  to  Bochcj,  caw  Kywg  lohn: 
Tolde  his  mischeefF,  how  he  was  take  xn  France   3137 
Bi  Prince  Edward,  for  al  his  gr^t  puissaunce; 
And  aftir  that,  with  strong  &  myhti  bond, 
He  was  fro  Peiteres  brouht  into  Inglond.  3140 

AfForn  destroied  his  castellis  &  his  towns,        [p.  445] 
And  ouerthrowen  manli  in  bataile. 


Last  of  all 
came  King 
John  of  France, 
cursingFortune 
and  all  her 
variance.     He 
told  Bochas 
how  Prince 
Edward  took 
him  prisoner 
in  France 
and  sent  him 

from  Poitiers 
to  England. 


3117.  was]  as  P,  H  5,  om.  J.  3118.   Sicania  P. 

3123.   Pachinvs]  Pathmvs  B,  J,  Pachmus  H,  Pachinvs  R  3, 

Pachinus  P.  3126.   eek]  om.  H. 

3142.   ouerthrowen]  ovircomen  H,  ouercomen  R  3,  ovyrcome  H  5. 


1  MS.  J.  leaf  182  verso. 


2  MS.  J.  leaf  182  verso. 


ioo8  f^ing  John  of  France  [bk.  ix 

His  pnncei       His  prliicls  slavn,  thcr  bancrcs  nor  penouns 

were  slain,  and    f.r         .  ,  i         i-  -i  i 

the  heaps  of      INor  brodc  standaidis  milite  hew  nat  auaile;  ^144 

dead   were  r,-.,  ,  -ii      i        r      i  „  -i  J   t-t 

searched  and      1  hc  tfas  out  soiiHt,  spoillcd  of  platc  &  made. 

spoiled  of  plate   Tk  t  i   •  M   ^    i  t     1 

and  in.il.  Mauprc  MIS  iiiilit  kviij^  lohn  was  pnsoneer, 

In  Inglond  aftir  abood  ful  many  a  yeer, 

John  remained     Sct   aftlFWard   OntO  fill  CFCt   raU?ZSOlI?J  I  5148 

many  .year.      1  he  woithi  slay[ejn  on  the  rrenssh  partie. 
At  that  time     The  Same  tyme  in  Brutis*  Albioun 
in"nobiesse """   TheF  floured  in  soth  noblesse  of  cheualrie, 

Hihe  prowesse*  and  prudent  pollicie;  3152 

Mars  and  Mercuric  abouc  ech  nacioun 


of  chivalry. 


Gou^rned  that  tyme  Brutis*  Albioun. 

Mars  for  knihthod,  ther  patrouw  in  bataille, 
And  Mynerua  gafF  hem  influence, 


Ntars,  their 
patron  in 
battle,  and 

them  influence   Mcynt  With  the  brihtncssc  of  shyning  plate  &  maile, 
p°rude"ce'and     To  flourc  iH  clcrgic  and  in  hih  prudence, 
(earnmg.  j|.,^^.  p^in^e  Edward  be  marcial  violence. 

That  day  on  lyue  oon  the  beste  kniht, 
Brouht  horn  Ki?/g  lohn,  maugre  al  his  miht. 


3156 


3160 


Thouh  Bochflj-  yafF  hym  fauoz^r  bi  langage. 
His  herte  enclyned  onto  that  partie. 


Bochas 

favoured  John 
and  France, 

to  belittle  the    Which  onto  hym  was  but  smal  auauMtage:  3164 

o^f"Engiishmcn7  Wootd  is  but  wynd  brouht  in  be  envie. 
and'^shidd'and   Fot  to  hyudrc  the  famous  cheualrie 
in'Jf'ink''*'  P'°Of  Inglissh-men,  ful  narwe  he  gaw  hym  thinke, 
Although  ^^f^t  spere  and  sheeld[e],  fauht  with  pen^ie  &  irzke. 

great^^«  he   Thouh  scidc  Boch^j  flourcd  in  poetrie,  3169 

wouU:°hTs°"^'  His  parcial  writyng  gaf  no  mortal  wouwde; 
Xl'idTd' w^    Kauht  a  quarel  in  his  malencolie. 

Which  to  his  shame  did  aftirward  rebounde,         3172 
In  conclusioun,  lik  as  it  was  founde, 
Ageyn  King  lohn  a  quarell  gan  to  make. 
Cause  that  he  wolde  of  Inglissh-men  be  take. 

Heeld  hem  but  smal  of  reputacioun  3176 

In  his  report,  men  may  his  writing  see; 


his  shame  — 
blaming  King 
John  because 
he  was  taken 
by  English- 
men, whom  he 
disparaged! 


3145.  tras]  cas  H.       3148.   onto]  to  J. 

3150.  Brutis]  Brutus  B,  Brutes  J,  P.       3 151.   of]  and  J. 

3152.  Hihe  prowesse]  \With  hih  prudence  B,  J. 

3154.  Brutus  B,  J.       3155.   ther]  the  H. 

3157.  Meynt  with  the  brihtnesse]  w:t^  Jjc  brihtnesse  meynt  H 
—  the1  om.  J,  P. 

3158.  T8]  \>e  H.      3168.   fauht]  &  faught  H  5. 
3175.  Cause]  by  cause  H,  be  cause  R  3. 


BK.  IX] 


King  John  of  France 


1009 


3184 


3188 


His  fantasle  nor  his  oppyniouw 

Stood  in  that  caas  of  non  auctorite: 

Ther  kyng  was  take;   ther  knihtis  dide  flee;  3180 

Wher  was  Bochas  to  helpe  at  such  a  neede? 

SaufF  with  his  penwe  he  made  no  man  to  bleede. 

Of  rihtwisnesse  euery  cronicleer 

Sholde  in  his  writyng  make  non  excepciouw; 

IndifFerentH  conueie  his  mateere; 

Nat  be  parcial  of  non  afFeccioun, 

But  yiue  the  thank  of  marcial  guerdouw, 

His  stile  in  ordre  so  egaH  obserued, 

To  euery  parti  as  thei  haue  disserued. 

Laude  of  Kyng  lohn  was  that  he  abood, 
In  that  he  quit  hym  lik  a  manU  kniht; 
His  lordes  slay[e]n;  somme  awey  thei  rood; 
Most  of  his  meyne  took  hem  to  the  fliht. 
This  iourne  take  for  Kyng  Edwardis  riht; 
The  feeld  I-wonne;   hath  this  in  memorie: 
Treuthis  title  hath  gladli  the  victorie. 

Of  Kyng  lohn  what  sholde  I  write  more? 

Brouht  to  this  lond  with  othir  prisoneeris, 

Vpon  which  the  rewm  compleyned  sore. 

Bi  rehersaile  of  old  cronicleeris,  3200 

Deied  in  Inglond;  withynwe  a  fewe  yeeris 

Lad  horn  ageyn;   afFtir  ther  writyngis, 

LyJ)  at  Seyn[t]  Denys  with  othir  worthi  kingis. 


3192 


And  where 
was  Bochas 
then?     Save 
with  his  pen 
he  made  no 
man  bleed! 


Chroniclers 
should  always 
be  impartial. 
King  John 
deserved  praise 
because  he 
acquitted 
himself  like  a 
manly  knight 
when  his  lords 
were  slain  or 
fled. 

The  battle  was 
fought  for  King 
Edward's 
rights, 
and  King 
Edward  won. 


3196 


Why  should  I 
write  more  of 
King  John? 
He  died 
afterwards  in 
England    and 
now  lies  at 
St.  Denis. 


^  Lenvoye. 

OFF  Boch<2J  book  the  laste  tragedie 
Compendiousli  put  in  remembrance, 
How  Prince  Edward  yvith  his  cheualrie 
Fauht  at  Peiteres  with  King  lohn  of  France; 
And  thoruh  his  mihti  marcial  puissaunce 
Grounded  his  quarel  upon  his  fadres  riht, 
Took  hym  prisoneer  ful  lik  a  manli  kniht. 

Bi  coUusioun  King  lohn  did  occupie, 
Set  out  of  ordre  the  roial  alliaunce; 
Sceptre,  crowne,  with  al  the  regalia 


3204 


3208 


This  last 

tragedy  of 

Bochas's  book 

remembers 

how 

Prince  Edward 

took  King  John 

of  France 

prisoner. 


John  occupied 
Edward's 
3212     inheritance 


3180.   2nd  ther]  his  H,  R  3,  hys  H  5. 
3200.  Cronyculeres  J. 


3195.  hath]  have  H,  P. 


loio  King  John  of  France  Qbk.  ix 

conveyed  down  Was  dou«  dcsccndld  to  Edward  in  substaiuice, 
lineal  descent.    Conucicd  tlic  brancliis  be  lyneal  concordaunce, 

For  vvhich[e]  title  grou«did  upon  riht,  3216 

Prince  Edward  fauht  ful  lilc  a  ma/;li  kniht. 

And  in  token     His  clcvm,  His  quarcl  nior  to  fortefie, 
in  the  riKht       In  tolcne  that  God  his  quarel  wolde  auaunce, 
Edward  victory.  Discontit lire  was  niaad  on  that  partie,  3220 

Vpon  King  lohn  be  violent  vttraunce, 
An  heuenii  signe  be  influent  pwrueiaunce 
Sent  fro7n  aboue  to  shewe  Edwardis  riht, 
For  which  the  Prince  fauht  lik  a  manli  kniht.       3224 

Noble  Princes,   Noblc  Princis,  yoiix  hertis  doth  applie  [p.  446] 

weigh  this  t         i-  •        I   •  'in 

matter  justly     lustu  to  wcic  tliis  Hiateet  in  ballaunce. 
there  u"no        Allc  thyngcs  pciscd,  yc  may  it  nat  denye, 
honesUudges:    YifF  ye  considrc  euery  citcuwstaunce,  3228 

In  rihtful  iuges  may  be  no  variaunce: 
The  feeld  darreyned,  deemeth  who  hath  riht. 
For  which  Prince  Edward  fauht  lik  a  manli  kniht. 

a  thing  A  thyng  bassentfe]  put  in  iupartie  3232 

committed  to        .       i  i/^ii-  i 

God  allows  of    And  commytted  to  (joddis  ordenaunce, 

no  controversy;  ^-.1  i  nr  • 

and  this  is        i  her  may  been  arrtir  no  contrauersie 
which'l'^rlnce     Atwectt  parties,  quarelis  nor  distaunce, 
ki^warfineiy  ^ho  shal  reioisshc;  and  in  this  caas  stood  France:  3236 
Poitfcrf  b         Fyn*  take  at  Peiteres,  declaryng  who  hath  riht; 
Prince  Edward,  pot  which  Prince  Edward  fauht  lik  a  manli  kniht. 

3218.   H  5  omits  to  3478  {one  leaf  missing  between  180  and  181). 
3232.   iupartie]  memorye  H,  memory  R  3. 
3234.   Contravesye  H. 

3237.  Fyn]  Syn  B,  Sith  P  —  take]  om.  P,  J. 

3238.  This  line  is  followed  in  H  by  the  14th  stanza  of  the  Envoy, 
after  which  comes  the  Chapitle  of  Fortune. 

^  Finis  libri  Bochasij. 


BK.  IX] 


A  Chapter  on  Fortune 


lOII 


A  chapitle  of  Fortune  compilid  howe  she  hath  hir 
qujrtt  to  al  wordly  pepill.^ 

LAT  folk  of  wisdaw  considre  m  \)er  wit, 
Gadre  up,  a-somwe*  &  couwte  in  \)er  resouw,324o 
To  all  estatis  hou  Fortune  hath  hir  quit, 
To  popis,  prelatis,  gynne  first  in  Roome  tou«, 
To  cardynalis  most  souereyw  of  renouw,  — 
Whan  thei  sat  hiest,  koude  hem  nat  diffende        3244 
Ageyn  Fortune  hi  no  prouisiouTi; 
But  with  a  tourn  she  made  hew  to  descende. 

AfFtir  in  ordre  cal  to  remembrance 

Thestat  imperial  of  famous  emp^rowrs,  3248 

Which  as  Appollo  thpruh  ther  mihti  puissauwce 

Ther  fame  up  blowe  to  lubiteris  tOMrs, 

And  forget  nat  thes  olde  cowquerottrs 

Aboue  Mercurye  cast  hem  to  assende,  3252 

Til  that  Fortune  with  hir  froward  showrs 

Most  sodenli  made  hem  to  descende. 

Kynges,  princis  of  dyuers  regiouws, 
In  Asie,  Europe,  Affrik  &  Cartage,  3256 

Of  Ethiopie  the  marcial  champiouns, 
Monstres  of  Ynde,  hidous  of  visage, 
Athlas,  Hercules,  in  ther  most  furious  rage, 
Ageyn  whos  myht  no  man  koude  hym  diffende,  — 
What  folwed  aftir?     From  ther  hiest  stage  3261 

Fortune  vnwarli  made  hem  to  descende. 

Preestis,  prelatis  and  weel-fed  fat  parsownis, 
Richeli  auaunced,  and  clerkis  of  degre,  —  3264 

Rekne  up  religious,  with  al  ther  brode  crownis, 
And  patriarkes  that  haue  gret  souereynte,  — 
Bisshoppis,  abbottis  confermed  in  ther  see, 
Seculeer  chanouns,  with  many  gret  prebende;       3268 
Behold  of  Fortune  the  mutabilite, 
How  sodenli  she  made  hem  to  descende. 


Let  folk 
consider  how 
Fortune 
behaves 
toward 
all  estates: 
when  they  sit 
highest,  with 
a  turn  of  her 
wheel  she 
makes  them 
descend. 


Popes, 
cardinals, 
emperors,  old 
conquerors  — 
all  were  made 
suddenly 
to  fall. 


Kings,  princes 
of  many  lands 
and  martial 
champions  cast 
down  from 
their  highest 
stage. 


Priests, 
prelates,  and 
well-fed 
parsons,  monks 
and  patriarchs, 
bishops,  abbots 
and  canons, 
with  many 
a  fat  prebend, 
have  also 
fallen. 


3239.  considren  of  wisdam  H. 

3240.  a-somwte^  a  sonne  B,  a  sonne  R  3. 

3241.  Fortune^  she  H,  R  3.       3242.   gynrie]  gan  H. 
3258.  Monstres]  Monstrous  R  3.       3263.   fed]  om.  R  3. 
3264.  clerkis]  cherlys  H.       3265.   al]  om.  H. 

^  "  Here  Bochas  makith  a  rehersaile  how  fortune  hath  made  high 
estate  vnwarly  to  descende."  MS.  J.  leaf  183  verso.  This 
chapter  is  collated  with  H,  J,  R  3  and  H  5  {from  line  3478). 


I0I2  A  Chapter  on  Fortune  [bk.  IX 

fa 

There  arc         Al  that  is  wfitc,  is  wfitc  to  ouf  doctriiic  I  \ 

many  conditions^-.                       i   •    i     t                             i                    i               m  ' 

of  men.  but      (Jon  courDith  lowc,  anotlicr  goth  upriht;  3272 

Fortune  causes    c  i  '    '  *  i 

ihem  all  to       oumwc  DC  VICIOUS,  Slim  me  in  vertu  shyne;  i 

at^her  wtu!*"     Pheb;/J'  now  clipsld,  somtynie  his  bcmys  briht,  \ 

Sumtyiiie  cloudi,  suwtynie  a  sterry  niht;  ! 

Sum  folk  appcire,  sumwe  doon  amende,  3276             ' 

Shewe  off  Fortune  the  poweer  &  the  myht:  \ 

Oon  goth  upward,  another  doth  descende.  \ 

Some  are  Sum  man  hooly  encreseth  in  vertu, 

vutnou»,  others    .             ,               iirr                 i-iri  i 

perversely         A-nothet  reklcs,  ot  troward  wiliulnesse;  3280            j 

wilful,  some         /^         •              r              i           i  i      •       /^   •        t  i 

evil,  some         Uon  IS  parht  and  stable  in  Lrist  \es\x, 

but  in 'spite  ""'A-nother  braideth  upon  frowardnesse;  , 

Yonunc^'^L    ^on  encreseth  with  tresour  &  richesse,  —  1 

them  aU  —      Who  list  thtyue,  to  labowr  must  entende,  —  3284 

Maugre  the  world,  Fortunis  doubilnesse 

Doth  oon  arise,  another  to  discende. 

the  industrious  Qon  is  besi  and  set  al  his  labour  ; 

and  the  idle,        -i-    l-  •         i   •  i  i  i- 

the  wasters  and  Hrli  tatise  his  good  to  multeplie;  3288             \ 

Another  spendeth,  &  is  a  gret  wastour;  ; 

Sum  tre  is  bareyn,  sum  doth  fructefie;  i 

Oon  kan  seyn  soth,  another  can  weel  lie;  j 

Oon  kan  gadre,  another  kan  dispende,  —  3292             ■ 

Vnto  Fortune  this  mateer  doth  applie:  J 

She  maketh  oon  rise,  a-nother  to  dissende.  ! 

Avoid  the        Al  thes  mateeres  rehersed  here  to  forne,*  j 

weed,  and  take    ^-,^«       i   •    i        i   •      i  i  i        i  • 

the  com  of        (Jt  which  this  book  maketh  mencioun,  3296             1 

virtue,  as  reason  T  7    •  i       i        i                    ^         r                         i       i  1 

teaches;  and      Voideth  the  Weed,  or  vertu  tak  the  corn,  I 

the  lesson  of         a  ^       i      .  i     •  j  •  • 

this  book         -ris  resoun  techeth  in  yoMr  discreciou?z. 

ris^or^fairon    ^"^  fo^  ^o  sette  a  short  conclusiouw,  j 

Fortune's  wheel. jj^  ^  breefF  somwe  this  book  to  comprehende:  3300             j 

Fortunis  wheel  bi  reuolucioun  ; 

Doth  oon  clymbe  up,  another  to  discende.  \ 

\ 

3271.    1st  write]  writen  H.       3273.   vertu]  vertues  H. 

3279.    man]  men  H.       3286.    arise]  to  rise  R  3.  ■ 

3290.   sum]  som  frute  H.  j 

3295.   rehersed  here  toforne]  conbyned  into  oon  B,  J.  j 
3297.   taketh  J,  takith  H.       3298.   techeth]  om.  R  3. 


BK.  IX] 


An  Envoy  to  Duke  Humphrey 


1013 


[§  A  lenvoye  compyled  vpon  the  book  wryten  by  the 
translatour  specially  direct  to  hym  that  causyd 
the  translacioun  &  secundely  to  alle  othir  it 
shal  seen.]  ^ 

RYGHT  reu^rent  Prynce,  vfith  support  of  your 
grace, 
By  your  comaundement  as  I  vndirtook  3304 

With  dredful  herte,  pale  of  cheer  and  face, 
I  haue  a-complysshed  translacioun  of  your  book; 
In  which  labour  myn  hand  ful  ofFte  quook, 
My  penne  also  troublyd  with  ygnorauwce  3308 

Lyst  myn  empryse  wer  nat  to  your  plesaunce. 

Off  ryght  considred,  of  trouthe  and  equite, 

I  nat  expert  nor  stufFyd  with  language, 

Seyn  howh  that  Ynglyssh  in  ryme  hath  skarsete,  3312 

How  I  also  was  ronne  ferre  in  age, 

Nat  quyk,  but  rude  and  dul  of  my  corage, 

OfF  no  presumpciouM,  but  atwix  hope  and  drede 

To  obeye  your  byddyng  took  on*  me  to  procede.3316 

Hope  with  glad  chere  gafF  me  greet  couwfort, 

OfF  trust  I  shulde  agreen  your  noblesse; 

But  tho  cam  dreed,  contraryous  of  repoort, 

Gan  manace  and  frowardly  expresse,  3320 

Geyn  me  alleggyng  vnkonnyng  and  dulnesse,  — 

Seyde  for  his  part,  by  argumentys  stronge, 

I  was  not  able  for  to  vndirfonge 

This  seid  empryse  to  p^rforme  &  contvne;    ^        3324 
The  profunde  processe  was  so  poetical, 
Entirmedlyd  with  chauwges  of  fortune 
And  straunge  mat^rys  that  were  hystoryal, 
Towchyng  estatys  that  hadde  a  sodeyn  fal;  3328 

The  Frenssh  vnkouth  cowpendyously  cowpyled, 
To  which  language  my  touwge  was  nat  afFyled. 

Dreed  and  vnkonnyng  beeyng  of  assent 
Made  ageyn  me  a  dauwgerous  obstacle,  3332 

For  tacomplysshe  your  comaundement, 
Stondyng  fer  of  fro  Tullyvs  habitacle: 


Right  reverent 
Prince,  I  have 
finished 
translating 
your 

book.     My 
hand  often 
trembled,  and 
my  pen  was 
troubled  lest 
my  work  were 
not  to  your 
pleasure. 


For  I  am  not 
skilled  in 
language,  and 
there  is  a  lack 
of  rhyming 
words  in 
English,  and  I 
was  far  run 
in  age  and 
dull  of  heart 
when  I  began. 


Hope  gave  me 
comfort  that   I 
should  please 
your  noblesse, 
and  then  came 
Dread  alleging 
ignorance  and 
dulness  against 


The  matter 
was  inter- 
mingled of 
changes  of 
Fortune  and 
strange 
historical 
things,  and  the 
French 
difficult;  and 
for  French  my 
tongue  was 
not  polished. 

Dread  and 
lack  of  skill 
were  dangerous 
obstacles  to  my 
fulfilling  your 
commandment, 


3303.   Prynce]  princes  R  3.       3316.   on]  vpon  H  1766. 

^  The  Envoy,  together  with  the  heading,  is  supplied  from  MS. 
Harley  1766,  leaf  260  verso,  collated  with  R  3  and  P. 


I0I4       '  -^n  Envoy  to  Duke  IlumpJjrey  [^bk.  IX 

until  Hope        Mvn  eveti  mystyd,  and  dirked  iny  spectacle, 

•gam  began  to^-',"'  J       J      '  iril- 

iurport  me.       1  y|  fiopc  agcyii  gan  make[nj  his  repeyr;  3336 

Me  to  supporte  he  putte  away  dyspeyr. 

The  vines  of     Vjt  of  Bacliiis  scryd  wer  the  vynes, 

Bacchus  were      ^^~.  »  ,         ,  •       .  . 

•ercd,  «na        Utt  Mygdas  touch  the  aureat  lycour, 

Midas'  aureate     a      J      f  T  II  ^11 

liquor  and  And  ot  luno  wellys  crystallynes  3340 

dried 'up.   I  ^Ver  dryed  vp;  ther  fond  I  no  favour: 

favour "t°iere.  ^  thfustlcwh  acccsse  causc  of  my  langour, 

hcav''"m  "*'  Noon  cgal  peys,  herte  hevy  and  purs  lyght, 

purse 'light.  Which  causith  poetys  syhen  at  mydnyght.  3344 

Bull  trust       Trustyng  ageynward  your  Hberal  largesse, 

will  relieve        Off  this  cotidien  shal*  relevyn  me, 

<nfo°idian,  and   Hopc  hath  brought  tydyng  to  recure  myn  accesse; 

tidVof  ^racLs  AfFtir  this  ebbe  of  froward  skarsete  3348 

FoUow.  "'"        Shal  folwe  a  spryng  flood  of  gracious  plente. 
To  wasshe  a-way  be  plentevous  inffluence 
A!  ground  ebbys  of  constreyned  indigence. 

With  Hope       With  hope  also  cam  humble  affeccioun,  3352 

came  Humble      ■»  ir      i  i     i 

Affection,  who    Made  3  promys  vn-to  my  dul  corage, 

lord'.  wouiT       Seyde,  ye,  my  lord,  shulde  haue  compassyoun, 

have  com-  r\cc  IV  ^  '       

passion  on  my  Oft  Toyal  pite  supportc  me  m  myn  age; 

old  age;  and     Whcrof  I  caught  a  man^r  avauwtage,  3356 

Thoughte  I  wolde  rather  condyscende 
To  your  desir  than  your  byddyng  ofFende. 

I  plucked  up     Tobeye*  your  precept  I  plukkyd  vp  myn  herte, 

my  heart  to  „  ■'.       ■^  ^  111  J-Jrir       11 

obey  your         Castc  m  my  conceyt  though  konnyng  aia[ej  raylle; 
knowing  that     By  good  avys  I  did  also  adverte,  3361 

ter°"wanting,    How  in  suych  caas  good  wyl  myghte  moost  pr<rvaylle: 
IrTvaiif  for'^*"'  Wyl  hath  more  myght  than  force  hath  in  bataylle; 
might\hl^°"    ^"*^  '^^^^  *^^*  thought  inwardly  supprysed,  3364 

force  in  battle.  YoT  to  proccdc  I  was  fully  avyscd. 

And  in  excuse    But  fot  cxskus  first  of  my  rudncssc, 

of  my  rudeness  r^^  .  .  ,  r     i   •      i  i      j"       J 

I  ask  mercy       1  o  suych  as  lyst  hauc  or  this  book  dissdeyn, 
hLn^it^l      That  ye,  my  lord,  of  mercyful  goodnesse,  3368 

m^y  pie'ase°°  Whan  this  translacioun  ye  haue  rad  and  seyn, 
fhe  b7st°  ""^  Though  it  be  spoke  in  wordys  bare  and  pleyn, 
reward.  J  g^e  mcrcy  for  my  poore  hertys  ese. 

To  me  best  guerdoun,  so  that  it  may  yow  plese.  3372 


3346.   cotidian  R  3,  quotidian  P  —  shal]  that  H  1766,  R  3. 

3359.  Tobeye]  Two  obeye  H  1766. 

3362.   prifvaylle]  avail  R  3.       3372.   me]  be  R  3. 


BK. 


IX] 


An  Envoy  to  Duke  Humphrey 


Yiff  ought  be  wryte  or  seid  to  your  plesaunce, 
The  thank  be  yove  to  your  royal  noblesse; 
And  wher  I  faylle,  atwyteth  ygnorauwce, 
Al  the  difFautys  aret  to  my  rudnesse, 
With  this  annexyd,  requeryng  of  humblesse, 
That  alle  thoo  which  shal  this  makyng  rede, 
For  to  correcte  wher-as  they  se  nede. 


3376 


3380 


3384 


3388 


3392 


So  it  be  doon  with  supportaciouw 
Off  ther  goodnesse  to  be  favourable, 
Nat  to  pynche  of  indignaciouw. 
Which  wer  to  me  verray  importable. 
And  ye,  my  lord,  for  to  be  mercyable, 
Off  your  hyh  grace  my  good  wyl  to  considre, 
An  hors  with  foure  feet  may  stouwble  among* 
and  slydre. 

And  semblably  though  I  goo  nat  vp-ryght. 
But  stowpe  and  halte  for  lak  of  elloquence. 
Though  Omerus  hold  nat  the  torche  lyght 
To  forthre  my  penne  with  colours  of  cadence. 
Nor  moral  Senek,  moost  sad  of  his  sentence. 
Gaff  me  no  part  of  his  moralytees, 
Therfore  I  seye,  thus  knelyng  on  my  knees: 

To  alle  thoo  that  shal  this  book  be-holde, 

I  them  be-seke  to  haue  compassyoun. 

And  ther-with-al  I  prey  hem  that  they  wolde 

Favoure  the  metre  and  do  correccyoun; 

Off  gold  nor  asewr  I  hadde  no  foysoun. 

Nor  othir  colours  this  processe  tenlvmyne, 

Sauff  whyte  and  blak;  and  they  but  dully  shyne.  3400 

I  nevir  was  aqueynted  with  Virgyle, 

Nor  with  [the]  sugryd  dytees  of  Omer, 

Nor  Dares  Frygius  with  his  goldene  style. 

Nor  with  Ovyde,  in  poetrye  moost  entieer,  3404 

Nor  with  the  sou^reyn  balladys  of  Chauceer,* 

Which  among  alle  that  eu<?re  wer  rad  or  songe, 

Excellyd  al  othir  in  our  Englyssh  tounge. 


3396 


I  can  nat  been  a  iuge  in  this  mateer, 
As  I  conceyve  folwyng  my  fantasye, 
In  moral  mateer  ful  notable  was  Goweer, 


3408 


1015 

If  aught 
be  said 
to  your 
pleasure, 
let  the 
thanks  be 
given  to  your 
royal  noblesse, 
and  all  the 
faults  laid  to 
my  lack  of 
skill. 

Let  all 

correct  where 
they  see  need, 
and  be  favour- 
able to  me  of 
their  goodness. 
Even  with 
four  feet  a 
horse 
sometimes 
slips  and 
stumbles. 


And 

although  I  go 
stooping  and 
halting  along. 
Homer  did  not 
hold  the  torch 
to  further  my 
pen,  nor  did 
moral  Senek 
lend  me  his 
moralities. 


Therefore  I  say 
to  all  who  read 
this  book,  have 
compassion, 
pass  lightly 
over  the  metre, 
and  correct 
where  you 
find  need.    I 
had  no  colours, 
but  only  white 
and  black,  and 
they  shine  but 
dully. 

I  never  had 
acquaintance 
with  Virgil  nor 
Homer  nor 
Dares  nor 
Ovid,  nor  with 
the  sovereign 
ballads  of 
Chaucer, 
who  excelled 
all  other  poets 
of  our  tongue. 

I  am  no  judge, 
but  Gower  and 
Strode  were 
notable  in  their 
philosophy 


3386.  among]  anoon  H  1766,  R  3.        3389.  hold]  heeld  R  3. 
3405.  Chauuceer  H  1766.       3409.  my]  in  R  3. 


ioi6 


and  RichArd 
Hermit,  who 
wrote  the 
Prick  of 
Conscience; 


yet  as  the 

summer 
sun  surpasses 
all  otl\er  stam 
and  as  Lucina 
chases  away 
the  ilark  clouds, 
fo  my  master 
Chaucer,  who 
also  wrote 
tragedies,  had 
no  peer. 

Petrarch  and 
John  Rochas 
complained  the 
Fall  of  Princes, 
how  they  were 
cast  down  for 
their  sins,  and 
so  did  Chaucer 
in  the  Monk's 
Tale. 


But  I,  who 
stand  low  in 
the  vale,  made 
this  book  by 
constraint  and 
not  presumption 
—  born  in  a 
village  called 
Lydgate,  where 
was  once  a  cas- 
tle beaten  down 
in  the  time 
of  the  Danes. 

I  was 

never  yet  at 
Cithseron  nor 
on  Mt.  Parnas- 
sus, where  the 
nine  Muses 
dwell;    and 
where  I  fail 
let  Lydgate 
bear  the  blame. 


The  subject 
matter  of  this 
translation  is 
in  part  sad 
and  needs  no 
flourishings  or 
flowers  of 
rhetoric 


y4n  Envoy  to  Duke  Humphrey 


Cbk.  IX 


And  so  was  Stroodc  in  his  phllosophye, 
In  parfyt*  lyvyng,  which  passith  poysye,  3412 

Richanl  Ilermyte,  contcmplatyfF  of  sentence, 
Drowh  in  ^'nglyssh  the  Prykke  of  Conscience. 

As  the  gold-tressyd  hryght[e]  soniyr  sonne 

Passith  othir  sterrys  with  his  becmys  clere,  34J6 

And  as  Lvcyna  chaseth  skyes  donne, 

The  frosty  nyghtes  whan  Esp<frus  doth  appere, 

Ryght*  so  my  mayst^r  had[de]  nevir  pere,  — 

I  mene  Chauceer*  —  in  stooryes  that  he  tolde;    3420 

And  he  also  wrot  tragedyes  olde. 

The  Fal  of  Prynces  gan  pitously  compleyne, 

As  Petrark  did,  and  also  lohn  Bochas; 

Laureat  Fraunceys,  poetys  bothe  tweyne,  3424 

Toold  how  prynces  for  ther  greet  trespace 

Wer  ovirthrowe,  rehersyng  al  the  caas, 

As  Chauceer*  didfe]  in  the  Monkys  Tale. 

But  I  that  stonde  lowe  doun  in  the  vale,  3428 

So  greet  a  book  in  Ynglyssh  to  translate. 

Did  it  be  constreynt  and  no  presumpciouw. 

Born  in  a  vyllage  which  callyd  is  Lydgate, 

Be  old[e]  tyme  a  famous  castel  toun;  3432 

In  Danys  tyme  it  was  bete  dou«, 

Tyme  whan  Seynt  Edmond,  martir,  mayde  and  kyng, 

Was  slayn  at  Oxne,  be  recoord  of  wrytyng. 

I  me  excuse,  now  this  book  is  I-doo,  3436 

How  I  was  nevir  yit  at  Cytherouw, 

Nor  on  the  mouwteyn  callyd  Pernaso, 

Wheer  nyne  musys  haue  ther  mansyoun. 

But  to*  conclude  myn  entencioun,  3440 

I  wyl  procede  forth  with  whyte  and  blak; 

And  where  I  faylle  let  Lydgate  ber  the  lak. 

Off  this  translacyoun  considred  the  mati?re, 

The  processe  is  in  party  lamentable;  3444 

Wooful  clausys  of  custom  they  requere, 

No  rethoryques  nor  florysshynges  delyctable: 

Lettrys  of  compleynt  requere  colour  sable. 


parfight  H   1766.  3419 

27.     Chauuceer  H  1766. 

Be]  In  R  3.  3435.  be]  om.  P 

3440.  to]  two  H  1766. 
3446.  delitable  R  3. 


3412. 
3420, 
3432 


Rygtht  H   1766. 


BK.  IX] 


An  Envoy  to  Duke  Humphrey 


And  tragedyes  in  especial  3448 

Be  rad  and  songe  at  feestys  funeral. 

This  book  remembryng  of  the  sodeyn  fallys 
Off  famous  prynces  and  surquedous  pryncessys, 
That  wer  vnwarly  cast  from  ther  royal  stallys,     3452 
Which  wer  in  erthe  worshepyd  as  goddessys, 
Ynde  stonys  vpon  ther  goldene  tressys,  — 
What  was  ther  ende?     Rede  Bochas,  ye  shal  se, 
By  fatal  spynnyng  of  Parchas  sustryn  thre.  3456 

Off  this  matifre  ther  be  bookys  nyne, 

Alle  of  Fortunys  transmutaciouws; 

This  blynde  lady,  how  she  made  hem  declyne 

From  ther  moost  famous  exaltaciouws:  3460 

Somme  plouwgyd  doun  to  the  infernal  dongouns, 

With  cruel  Pluto  depe  doun  in  helle, 

With  Proserpyna  perpetuelly  to  dwelle. 

For*  ther  demerytes  and  lakkyng  of  vertu,  3464 

That  they  lyst  nat  ther  Sou^reyn  Lord  to  knowe: 
For  whoo  is  rekkelees  to  serve  our  Lord  lesu, 
Fortvnys  wheel  shal  soone  hym  ovir-throwe, 
Though  Famys  trompet  of  gold  [a]lowde  blowe    3468 
His  victoryes,  his  marcial  renouns, 
Rad  and  remembryd  in  dyvers  regiouws. 

Whoo  knoweth  nat  God  is  falle  fer  in  slouthe; 

Be-war  ye  Prynces  euifre  of  thynges  tweyne:         3472 

In  eu^ry  quarel  that  your  ground  be  trouthe; 

Next  in  ordre,  doth  your  besy  peyne 

To  love  lesu,  your  Lord  moost  sovereyne, 

Truste  hym  of  herte,  and  he  shal  nat  faylle  3476 

To  be  your  socour  in  pees  and  in  bataylle. 

For  lak  of  trust  twyes  I  sey,  alias, 

And  make  her-oon  an  exclamacioun: 

Alle  the  myschevys  remembryd  in  Bochas,  3480 

Fro  tyme  of  Crystes  in-carnacioun, 

Haue  been  for  lakkyng  of  devocioun, 

That  ye  Prynces,  of  wylful  necligence, 

Lyst  nat  to  God  do  dewe  reu^rence.  3484 


1017 


The  book 
remembers  the 
sudden  falls 
of  famous 
princes  and 
proud  prin- 
cesses, who 
were  wor- 
shipped as 
goddesses  on 
earth.     What 
was  their  end? 
Read  Bochas 
and  you 
shall  see. 

There  are 
nine  books, 
and  all  tell 
of  the  trans- 
mutations of 
Fortuna, 


and  of 
those  who 
fell  for  their 
faults,  who  did 
not  care  to 
know  the 
Sovereign 
Lord. 


Beware, 
Princes, 
that  in  every 
quarrel  your 
ground  is  truth; 
and  do  not 
fail  to  love 
and  trust  Jesus, 
who  will  be 
your  succour. 


Princes,  you 
are  no  gods, 


3464.   For3  Two  H  1766. 

3467.  soone  hym]  hym  sone  R  3. 

3468.  alowde  R  3.     Space  of  one  stanza  left  here  in  R  3    (2i4d) 
but  no  omission  of  text. 

3478.   H  5  begins  again  with  this  line,  leaf  181. 


lOiS  ^n  Envoy  to  Duke  Humphrey  [^bk.  IX 

but  mortal  men,  Dysdevncth  iiut  to  liuuc  in  remembraunce, 

more  likely  to     .  ,      ,       "  ,  ,  i        i      ^  ^    I 

fall  than  a         ic  oc  HO  godclys,  ye  DC  Dut  men  mortal; 
m*?ft%"ricvoui"Stonde  vndir  dauwgeer  of  Fortunys  chaunce, 
who''sit°'  '^^'^  More  lyk  to  towmble  and  more  neer  to*  fal,         3488 
highest.  Than  doth  a  beggcre  in  this  lyff  mortal: 

Oft  vertuous  poore  the  fal  is  nat  vnsoffte; 

Moost  grev^ous  fal,  of  them  that  sitte  aloffte. 

Princes,  do  not  Yc  Prynccs  quakc,  stond  not  in  suych[e]  caas;      3492 

stand  in  such       -.r-  i  i       i  i  i      ^ 

case:  for  when     1  It  vvhan  deth  comyth,  ye  can  no  bet  socour 
J^*knmN"'no     Than  can*  the  pore,  record  of  lohn  Bochas; 
|'han"th*'e''poor.   Hath  myndc  heron  and  make  yow  a  merour 
Srddch' Cyrus   Off  suych  as  regnyd  in  glorye  and  [gret]  honour,  3496 
or  Sardanapaius.^g  rychc  Cytus  and  Sardanapalle, 

How  fro  the  wheel  of  Fortune  they  wer  falle. 

Set  not  your     Set  nat  yout  trust,  beth  war  of  fals  Fortune; 
Fortune:  aif^     For  al  this  book  tretith  of  suych  mature,  3500 

treat^f'^such    Gynneth  his  processe,  and  so  forth  doth  contvne 
Adam^,  whi'"""  Lamentable  and  doolful  for  to  here, 
fTora"aradUe    How  Ad  aril  first,  with  a  ful  hevy  chere, 

From  a  place  moost  sou^reyn  of  delys  3504 

Whylom  departyd,  out  of  Paradys, 

down  to  King    Cherubyn  kepyng*  the  gate  of  Paradys 
reigned'^in         With  brennyng  swerd  that  ther  shulde  entre  noon. 
waTtaken'^       This  book  conveyed  by  ful  greet  avys,  3508 

iokiers  "'        Ceryously  from  Adam  to  Kyng  lohn, 

Regnyng  in  Fraunce;  of  whoom  nat  yoore  agoon 
I  sawh  remembryd  the  date  of  thylk[e]  yeerys. 
Whan  he  was  take  prysowneer  at  Peyterys,  3512 

in  i3s6,  A  thousand  toold  by  computacioun, 

the  last  of  all     rr>,  ,  i         i  •       r    rr  J 

in  this  book.     Ihre  hundryd  ovir,  ryttty  and  sex  year, 
Trewly  reknyd  fro  the  Incarnacioun, 
Whan  seid[e]  lohn  was  take  prysowneer,  3516 

Toold  and  remembryd  by  the  cronycleer. 
As  Adam  was  first  that  did[e]  falle. 
So  in  this  book  Kyng  lohn  was  last  of  alle. 

We  had  never   We  hadde  nevir  stondyn  in  daungeer  3520 

PC'S  nor  dread  Off  wotldly  sttyff  nor  p^rellys  ful  mortal, 

3488.   to]  a  H  1766,  P,  H  5.       3489.   mortal]  moral!  R  3. 
3490.    poore]  power  P.       3492.   suyche]  no  such  P. 
3493.   can]  cam  H  1766. 

3506.   kepyng]  abydyng  kepyng  H  1766,  H,  R  3,  P  —  gate] 
gatis  H,  gatys  H  5. 


BK.  IX] 


A  Final  Envoy  to  Duke  Humphrey 


1019 


Nor  dreed  of  deth,  nat  in  a  thousand  yeer, 

Nor  of  Fortune  that  tournyth  as  a  bal, 

YifFAdam  hadde  in  Paradys  had  no*  fal;  3524 

Touch  of  an  appyl  and  inobedyence,  — 

Cause  that  Fortune  is  had  in  suych  reu^rence. 

But  for  to  telle  and  speke  in  wordys  pleyn, 

How  Fortune  kaught  first  an  interesse  3528 

To  be  callyd,  nat  trewly  but  in  veyn, 

Off  worldly  peple  a  fals  froward  goddesse,  — 

This  errour  gan  of  bestial  rudnesse, 

Demyng  them-sylff  they  wern  assuryd  wel,  3532 

Whan  they  sat  hyh  on  hire  vntrusty  wheel. 

Rekne  vp  alle  thoo  that*  haue  doon  hire  seruice 

And  folwyd  on  in  ther  oppynyouw, 

Lyk  as  this  book  in  ordre  doth  devyse;  3536 

Peyse  in  ballaunce:  what  was  ther  guerdoun? 

A  sodeyn  reys,  an  vnwar  toumblyng  douw; 

Yit,  for  al  this,  thorugh  hire  flaterye, 

Al  worldly  peple  doth  hire  magnefFye!  3540 


of  death  nor  of 
Fortune  had 
it  not  been  for 
Adana's  fall  in 
Paradise; 


and  for 
that  reason 
Fortune  first 
came  to  be 
called  a  false 
goddess  by 
worldly  people, 
an  error  that 
began  of 
brutish 
ignorance. 


Reckon  up  all 
who  did  her 
service  —  what 
was  their 
reward  ?     A 
sudden  rise, 
an  unexpected 
tumbling 
down.    Yet 
all  worldly 
people  worship 
her. 


[^  The  laste  lenvoye  direct  vn  to  my  lord.]  ^ 

NOBLE  Prynce,  remembreth  al  this  thynges, 
Peyseth*  of  resoun,  lefFt  vp  your  eye  and  se, 
As  your  lyne  conveyed  is  fro  kynges, 
How  vertu  longeth  vn-to  dignyte.*  3544 

[What  folwith  afFtyr.''  grace  &  prosperite.] 
Hath  this  in  mynde  and  theron  doth  attende, 
Mawgre  Fortvnys  mutabilite,* 
Ye  shal  to-Godward  encresyn  and  ascende,  3548 

Off  humble  entent,  with  herte  &  hand  quakyng, 

Directe  this  book  vn-to  your  mageste; 

In  which  ye  may,  at  good  leyseer  redyng, 

Seen  dyvers  chauwges  of  worldly  vanyte,  —      ,    3552 

Prynces  cast  dou«  from  ther  imp^ryal  se, 


Noble  Prince, 
remember 
that  virtue 
belongs  to 
dignity:  have 
this  in  mind, 
and  in  spite 
of  Fortune's 
mutability 
you  shall 
prosper  and 
ascend  to 
God. 


This  book,  in 
which  you 
may  see 
many  changes 
of  worldly 
vanity,  is 
humbly 
addressed  to 
your  majesty. 


3524.  no3  a  H  1766.       3534-   that]  than  H  1766. 

3542.    Peyseth]  Peysed  H  1766. 

3544.  vn-to  dignyte]  afftir  grace  and  prospmte  H  1766. 

3546.  theron]  ])er  of  R  3  —  attende]  attende  parde  H  1766. 

3547.  mutabilite]  whan  she  wyl  pretende  H  1766.     After  3547 
H  1766  inserts:   "Whyl  ye  in  vertu  regne  &  dygnite." 

1  The  heading  and  following  six  stanzas  are  supplied  from  "^Si. 
Harley  1766,  leaf  264  verso,  collated  with  R3,  Hs  and  P. 


1020 


A  Final  Envoy  to  Duke  Humphrey 


[bk.  IX 


Let  the 

chastising  by 
Providence  of 
men  for 
vicious  living 
and  lack  of 
grace  be  a 
mirror  to 
you!    Where 
virtue  reigns 
there  is 
felicity. 
AlthouRh 
your  estate 
shine 

like  Phcebu!, 
there  is  no 
certainty  how 
long  you  may 
abide  here: 
age  and  her 
cousin 
infirmity 
claim  their 
right;  death 
nill  take  no 
bribe:  provide 
yourself  daily 
to  increase  in 
virtue  while 
you  are  stilt 
free. 


As  men 
deserve 
shall  they  be 
punished  or 
rewarded. 
Beware  in 
time,  for 
tongues  are  , 
free  and  your 
story  shall 
read  according 
to  your  merit. 


If  virtue  guide 
you,  then 
good  report 
shall  follow 
your  parting 
from  this 
world. 


For  they  wer  froward,  lyst  nat  condiscende 
Vertu  to  sewe  and  vices  [for]  to  fle, 
So  to-Godward  tencresen  and  ascende. 


35S6 


Fal  of  othir  thorugh  vicious  lyvyng, 

Sow  me  dysgradyd  vn-to  ful  lowh  degre, 

Off  providence  lat  ther  chastysyng 

For  lak  of  grace,  to  yow  a  merour  be.  3560 

Wher  vertu  regnyth,  ther  is  felycite 

In  suych  as  lyst  ther  froward  lyfF  tamende; 

Whoo  lovith  that  Lord  which  hath  the  sou^reynte 

Shal  ay  be  grace  encresyn  and  ascende.  3564 

Though  your  estat  lyk  Phebz^j  wer  shynyng, 

Yit,  for  al  that,  ye  haue  no  sewerte, 

How  long[e]  tyme  is  here  your  abydyng; 

Age,  wi't^  hire  cosyn  callyd  Infirmyte,  3568 

Wyl  cleyme  hire  ryght  of  verry  dewete; 

Deth  takith  no  mede;   afforn  he  wyl  not  sende. 

Provide  your-sylfF  whyl  ye  haue  liberte, 

Dayly  in  vertu  tencresyn  and  ascende.  3572 

As  men  dysserve,  be  record  of  wrytyng, 

An  expifrt  thyng  by  old  auctoryte, 

Ye  shal  receyve  your  mede  or  your  punysshyng, 

By  egal  peys  of  trouthe  and  equite.  3576 

Beth  war  afforn,  folk  haue  ther  tounges  fre, 

Lyk  your  dyscert  shal  rede  your  legende; 

This  verray  soth,  voyde  of  duplycite, 

Yevith  hem  cause  to  preye  ye  may  ascende.         3580 

Off  hyh  prudence  aforn  ymagynyng, 

Yiff  vertu  guye  your  magnanymyte, 

Than  good[e]  repoort  afftir  your  partyng 

Shal  floure  and  shyne  in  tnery  comou?2te.  3584 

Almesse  partyd  to  folk  in  poverte, 

And  compassyoun  the  poraylle  to  amende, 

Is  beest[e]  mene  toward  the  hevenly  se 

By  vertuous  lyff  tencresyn  and  ascende.  3588 


3558.  dysgrated  H  5.       3563.   that]  ye  P. 

3571.  your-sylfT]  your  lyfe  P. 

3S7S.  1st  your]  to  your  R  3,  P  —  2nd  your]  om.  H  5. 

3578.  shal]  to  R  3.       3579.  soth]  trouthe  H  5. 


BK.  IX] 


Lydgates  Words  to  his  Book 


I02I 


^  Woordis  of  the  translatur  vn  to  his  book  atte 
ende.^ 

WITH  lettre*  &  leuys  go  litil  book  [p.  447] 

trewblmg, 
Pray  to  J>e  Prince  to  haue  on  the  pite, 
Voide  of  picture  &  enlumyny[n]g, 
Which  hast  of  Cithero  no  corious  dite,  3592 

Nor  of  his  gardyn  no  flour[e]s  of  beute; 
God  graunt[e]  grace  thi  reudnesse  nat  ofFende 
The  hih  noblesse,  the  magnanymyte 
Of  his  presence,  whan  thou  shalt  up  ascende.        3596 

And,  for  my  part,  of  oon  hert  abidyng, 

Void  of  chauwg  and  mutabilite, 

I  do  presente  this  book  with  hand  shaking, 

Of  hool  afFeccioun  knelyng  on  my  kne,  3600 

Praying  the  Lord,  the  Lord  oon,  too  &  thre, 

Whos  magnificence  no  clerk  caw  cowprehende, 

To  sende  you  miht,  grace  and  prosp^rite 

Euer  in  vertu  tencresen  &  ascende.  3604 

Finis  libri  Amen. 


Go,  Tittle 
book,  pray 
to  the  prince 
for  pity. 
Thou  hast  no 
bright  colours, 
no  curious 
songs  of 
Cithaeron,  no 
flowers  of 
beauty:  God 
grant  that 
thy  rudeness 
offend    not 
his  presence. 


And  I,  kneeling 
on  my  knee, 
with  shaking 
hand  do 
present  this 
book  of  whole 
affection, 
praying  the 
Lord  to  send 
you  might, 
grace,  and 
prosperity. 


^  Go  kis  the  steppis  of  them  that  wer  forthring, 

Laureat  poetes,  which  hadde  souereywte 

Of  elloquence  to  supporte  thy  makyng, 

And  pray  all  tho  that  shal  this  processe  see,         3608 

In  thyn  excus[e],  that  thei  list  to  bee 

Fauourable  to  lakke  or  to  comende; 

Set  thi  ground  upon  humylite, 

Vnto  ther  grace  that  thou  maist  up  ascende.         3612 

In  a  short  clause  thi  content  rehersing. 

As  oon  up  clymbeth  to  gret  prospi?nte. 

So  another,  bi  expert  knowleching. 

Fro  gret  richesse  is  brouht  to  pouerte.  3616 

Alas,  O  book,  what  shal  I  seyn  of  the.? 

Thi  tragedies  thoruh  al  the  world  to  sende, 


Go  kiss  the 
steps  of  those 
laureate  poets 
who  sup- 
ported thy 
making,  and 
be  humble 
that  thou 
mayst  ascend 
unto  the 
grace  of  men. 


Since  one  man 
climbs  up  to 
prosperity  and 
another  falls 
from  wealth 
to  poverty, 
alas,  O  book, 
what  shall  I 
say  of  theef 


3589.  lettre]  lettres  B,  letter  P,  lettir  H,  lettyr  H  5. 
3596.   his]  their  H.  3599-   shaking]  quakyng  H. 

3601.   2nd  Lord]  om.  P.  3602.   can]  may  P. 

'  "The  wordys  of  the  translatour."     MS.  J.  leaf  183d. 


1022  Lydgate's  Words  to  his  Book  [bk.  IX 

Go  foorth,  I  pray;  excuse  thi-sllf  &  me;  I 

Who  loueth  most  vertu  hiest  shal  ascende.  3620              1 

7^0"  *bi  ^k  ^    Bl'ik  be  thi  vveede  of  co?«pleynt  &  moornyng,  \ 
of  complaint     CalHd  Fall  of  Priiicis  from  ther  felicite, 

■  nd  mourning,     t  'i       i                     i                             ■                                              •  i 

thou  art          LiK  chaunteplure,  now  siwgyng  now  weeping,  ■ 

Fan  of  "^         Wo  afftir  merthe,  next  ioie  aduersite,  3624 

m"n"RW  with'"   So  entermedlid  ther  is  no  seurete, 

jor"and  ""^    ^''^  ^^  ^^'^  book  doth  preisc  and  repr^hende,  — 

those  who  will    Now  on  the  wheel,  now  set  in  louh  degre;  1 

rrosper  must       ....             .,                            .                                                  ,  •                      : 

ascend             VVno  wil  encfcce  bi  vertu  must  ascende.  3628              : 

by  virtue.  ' 

Finis  totius  libri.  j 

[Explicit  John  Bochas.3  ^  1 

\ 

1  MS.  J.  leaf  184  recto.  I 


Greneacres^  Envoy  on  Bochas  1023 


[Greneacres  A  Lenvoye  vpon  John  Bochas.]  ^ 

Blake  be  thy  bondes  and  thy  wede  alsoo, 
Thou  sorowfull  book  of  matier  disespeired, 
In  tokne  of  thyn  inward  mortal  woo, 

Which  is  so  badde  it  may  not  be  enpeired,  4 

Thou  owest  nat  outward  to  be  feired, 
That  inward  hast  so  many  a  rufull  clause; 
Such  be  thyn  habite  of  colowr  as  thi  cause. 

No  cloth  of  tyssewe  ne  veluet  crymesyne,  8 

But  lik  thi  monke,  moornywg  vnder  his  hood, 

Go  weile  and  wepe  wit/?  wofuU  Proserpyne, 

And  lat  thi  teeres  multeplie  the  flood 

Of  blak  Lythey  vnder  the  bareyn  wood,  12 

Where-as  goddesse  hath  hir  hermytage, — 

Helpe  hir  to  wepe,  and  she  wyll  geve  the  wage. 

Noblesse  of  loye  sith  thou  maist  nat  approche, 

This  blak  goddesse  I  councell  the  tobeie,  16 

Compleyne  -with  hir  vnder  the  craggy  roche. 

Wit/?  wepyng  soules  vpon  the  said  Lythey, 

Sith  thou  of  sorowe  art  instrument  and  keye,  — 

So  harpe  and  synge  there,  as  thou  may  be  herde;  20 

For  euery  loie  is  of  thi  name  afFerd. 

Pryncesse  of  woo  and  wepyng,  Proserpyne, 

Whiche  herborowest  sorow  euen  at  thyn  hert[e]  roote, 

Admytte  this  Bochas  for  a  man  of  thyne;  24 

And  though  his  habite  blakker  be  than  soote, 

Yitt  was  it  maked  of  thi  monkes  boote. 

That  him  translated  in  Englissh  of  Latyne: 

Therfore  now  take  him  for  a  man  of  thyne.  28 

I.  bondes^  hondes  P,  P  I. 

4.  impeyred  P. 

5.  feared  P. 

6.  RufFuU  J. 

8.   cremesyne  P  I,  P. 

20.  mayst  P. 

21.  euery]  euer  P,  P  I. 
26.   boote]  hode  P,  P  i. 

^  The  Envoy  by  Greneacres  is  supplied  from  MS.  J.  leaf  184 
recto,  collated  with  P  i  and  P. 


APPENDIX. 


f  The  Daunce  of  Machabree  ^ 

wherin  is  liuely  expressed  and  shewed  the  state  of 

manne,  and  howe  he  is  called  at  vncertaine  tymes  by 

death,  and  when  he  thlnketh  least  thereon:  made 

by  thaforesayde  Dan  John  Lydgate 

Monke  of  Bxirye. 


f  The  Prologe 

OYE  folkes  hard  hearted  as  a  stone, 
Whiche  to  this  worlde  geue*  al  your  aduertence, 
Lyke  as  it  should  euer  lasten  in  one,  — 
Where  is  your  wit,  where  is  your  prouidence  4 

To  seen  aforne  the  sodayn  violence 
Of  cruel  death,  that  be  so  wyse  and  sage, 
Which  slayeth,  alas,  by  stroke  or  pestilence 
Both  yong  &  olde  of  lowe  and  high  parage?  8 

Death  spareth  nought  low  ne  high  degre, 

Popes,  kynges,  ne  worthye  Emperours; 

Whan  they  shine  most  in  felicite. 

He  can  abate  the  freshnes  of  her  flours,  12 

Her  bright[e]  sunne  clipsen  with  his  shouts, 

Make  them  plunge  fro  her  sees  lowe;  — 

Mauger  the  might  of  al  these  conquerours. 

Fortune  hath  them  from  her  whele  ythrow.  16 


1.  folkes]]  folkes  that  bene,  Harley  116  =«  H. 

2.  this  world  geuej  the  worlde  haue,  Tottel  =  T. 

3.  laste  eu^r  H.       6.   be]  dethe  corrected  to  slethe  H. 
7.]]  om.  H.       8.   high  and  loue  H.      9.   hight  ne  law  H. 

10.  in  thaire  felicite  H.      15.   Maugre  H. 

^  The  text,  here  printed  because  of  its  interest  in  connexion 
with  the  "Fall  of  Princes,"  is  based  on  Tottel's  edition  (fol. 
ccxx  to  end  of  fol.  ccxxiiii),  collated  with  MS.  Harley  116  and  in 
part  with  MS.  Lansdowne  669.  The  punctuation  and  use  of 
capital  letters  have  been  modernized,  and  th  substituted  for  y 
(t)).  A  superior  text  will  be  included  by  Miss  Hammond  in  her 
forthcoming  "Fifteenth  Century  Anthology."  The  two  anony- 
mous woodcuts  (size  of  originals  160x110  and  158x110)  are 
reproduced  from  Tottel.  They  are  in  both  drawing  and  com- 
position very  superior  to  the  average  English  woodcut  of  the 
period  and  of  considerable  interest  as  the  work  of  an  unknown 
designer  of  great  talent. 

1025 


I026  The  Daunce  of  Machabree 

Considerctli  this,  ye  folkes  that  been  wysc, 

And  it  einprintctli  in  your  mcinoriall, 

Like  thcnsample  which  tliat  at  I'arise 

I  fonde  depict  ones  vppon*  a  wal  20 

Full  notahly,  as  1  rcluarse  shall. 

Of  a  Krcnche  clarke  takyng  acquaintaunce, 

I  toke  on  me  to  translatin  all  < 

Out  of  the  Frenche  Machabrecs  daunce.  24  \ 


\ 


By  whose  aduise  and  counsaylc  at  the  lest,  ' 

Through  her  sticryng  and  her  mocion,  \ 

I  obeyed  vnto  her  request,  j 

Therof  to  make  a  playn  translacion  28                I 

In  English  tonge,  of  entencion  \ 

That  proud[c]  folkes  that  bene  stout  and  bolde,  : 

As  in  a  mirrour  toforne  in  her  reason  < 

Her  vgly  fine  there  clearely  may  beholde.  32               i 

By  [this]  ensample,  that  thei  in  her  ententes  i 

Amend  her  life  in  euery  maner  age.  \ 

The  which[e]  daunce  at  Sainct  Innocentes  ] 

Portrayed  is,  with  all  the  surplusage,  3^ 

Youen  vnto  vs  our  Hues  to  correct 

And  to  declare  the  fine  of  our  passage,  — 

Right  anone  my  stile  I  wil  direct 

To  shewe  this  worlde  is  but  a  pilgrimage.  40 

^  The  ende  of  the  Prologe. 


^  The  Wordes  of  the  Translatour. 

O  CREATURES  ye  that  bene  reasonable, 
The  life  desiring  which  is  eternall, 
Ye  may  sen  here  doctrine  ful  notable 

Your  life  to  lead[e],  which  that  is  mortall,  44 

Thereby  to  learne  in  especiall, 
How  ye  shal  trace  the  daunce  of  Machabree, 
To  man  and  woman  ylike  naturall; 
For  death  ne  spareth  high  ne  lowe  degree.  4^ 

In  this  myrour  euery  wight  may  fynde, 

That  him  behoueth  to  gone  vpon  this  daunce. 

Who  goeth  toforne  or  who  shall  go  behynde, 

All  dependeth  in  Goddes  ordinaunce.  $2. 

Wherfore  eche  man  lowly  take*  his  chaunce; 

Death  spareth  nouther  poore  ne*  bloud  royall: 

Eche*  man  therfore  haue  this  in  remewtbraunce. 

Of  00  matter  God  hath  yforged  all.  5^ 

^  The  Daunce  of  Machabree. 

20.  vppon]  in  T.  30.   that]  whiche  H. 

32.   may  clerly  ther  H.     Line  40  is  misplaced  after  line  36  H. 

41.   ye]  om.  Lansdowne  699  =  L.      42.   which]  Jjat  H. 

46.   of  Machabree]  which  that  ye  see  L.      47.   ylike]  that  be  L. 

49.  wight]  man  L.     51.   toforne]  before  L  —  shall  go]  goth  L. 

53.  eche  man  lowly  take]  lowly  euery  man  T. 

54.  nouther  poore  ne]  not  poore  ne  yet  T.     55.  Eche]  euery  T. 


The  Daunce  of  Machabree 


1027 


Cuad&  oiortafibus  mors  debctts« 


-V    'A  — 


^  Death  fyrst  speaketh  vnto  the  Pope,  and  after  to  euery 
degree  as  foloweth. 

YE  that  been  set  most  high  in*  dignitie 
Of  al  estates  in  earth  spiritual!, 
And  like  to*  Peter  hath  the  soueraintee 
Ouer  the  church  and  states  temporall, 
Vpon  this  daunce  ye  first  begin[ne]  shall, 
As  most  worthy  lord  and  gouernour; 
For  al  the  worship  of  your  estate  papall. 
And  of  [al]  lordship  to  God  is  the  honour. 


60 


64 


The  Pope  maketh  aunswere. 

FYRST  me  behoueth  this  daunce  for  to  lede, 
Which  sat  in  earth[e]  highest  in  my  see. 
The  state  ful  perilous,  whoso  taketh  hede. 
To  occupie  Seynt  Petris*  dignitee; 
But  for  al  that  [fro]  Death  I  may  not  flee, 
Vpon*  this  daunce  with  other  for  to  trace; 
For  which  al  honor,  who  prudently  can  see. 
Is  litle  worth  that  doth  so  soone  passe. 


68 


72 


57.  most]  om.  L  —  high  in]  in  high  T. 

59.  to]  as  T,  H  —  hath]  have  L,  hadde  H. 

60.  chirche  most  in  especiall  L.        61.   ye]  om.  H. 

64.  of]  om.  H.       65.   for]  with  deth  L.      67.   ful]  om.  L. 

68.  Seynt  Petris]  Peters  T,  H.  69.   fro]  om.  H. 

70.  Vpon]  On  T,  H  —  this]  his  H.        71.  which  al]  sich  L. 


1028  The  Daunce  of  Machabree 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Emperour. 

SYR  Emperour,  lord  of  al  tlie  grouiide, 
[Most]  soucrcinc  prince,  stirmoiintyrii;*  of  noblesse, 
\e  mot  forsake  of  gold  your  apple  round. 

Scepter  and  swerde,  &  al  your  high  prowtsse;  76 

Behind  you  leue*  your  treasour  and*  riches, 
And  with  other  to  my  daunce  ohoy: 
Against  my  might  is  worth  none  hardines, 
Adams  children  al  they  must[e]  deye.  80 

The  Emperour  maketh  aunswer. 

I  NOTE  to  whom  that  I  may  [me]  appeale 
Touching  death,  which  doth  me  so  constrein; 
There  is  no  gin  to  helpen  my  querel, 

But  spade  and  pickoys  my  graue  to  atteyne,  —  84 

A  simple  shete,  there  is  nomore  to  seyn, 
To  wrappen  in  my  body  and  visage: 
And  therupon  I  may  me  sore*  compleyne, 
That  lordes  great  haue  litle  auauntage.  88 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Cardinal. 

YE  been  abashed,  it  semeth,  and  in  drede, 
Syr  Cardinal,  it  sheweth  by  your  chere; 
But  yet  for-thy  ye  folowe  shall  in  dede, 

With  other  folke  my  daunce  for  to  lere.  92 

Your  great  aray,  al  shal  [ye]  leauen  here,  — 
Your  hat  of  red,  your  vesture  of  great  coste; 
All  these  thynges  reckoned  well  in  fere,* 
In  great[e]  honour  good  auyse  is  loste.  96 


I 


The  Cardinall  maketh  aunswere. 

HAUE  great  cause,  certes  this  is  no  faile 


To  be  abashed  and  greatly  dread[e]  me, 
Sith  Death  is  come  me  sodainly  tassaile,* 

That  I  shall  neuer  hereafter  clothed  be  100 

In  grise  nor  ermine  like  vnto  my  degree, 
Mine  hat  of  red  leuen  eke  in  distresse,  — 
By  which  I  haue  conceyued*  wel  and  see 
That  worldly*  joye  endeth  in  heauines.  104 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Kyng. 

O  NOBLE  Kyng,  most  worthy  of  renoun, 
Come  foorth  anone,  for  al  your  worthines 
That  whylom  had  about  you  enuiron 
Great  royaltie  and  passing  hye  noblesse.  108 

74.  Most]  om.  H  —  surmountyng]  &  highest  T,  H. 

75.  mot]  muste  L,  moste  H. 

77.   you  leue]  leten  T,  L  —  and]  and  your  T,  L. 

79.  ■  is  worth]  worthe  is  H.  81.     me]  om.  L.    83.    gin]  bote  H. 

87.  And  theruppon  I  may  me  sore]  wherupon  sore  I  me  T,  L. 

88.  litle  auauntage]  so  lytell  vayntage  H. 

93.   ye]  om.  L  —  leve  H.     95.   fere]  feare  T,  L. 

99.   tassaile]  to  assaile  T.     icxD  and  loi  are  transposed  in  H. 

103.  conceyued]  learned  T,  L. 

104.  That]  How  that  T,  L  —  worldly]  al  T,  L. 


The  Daunce  of  Machabree  1029 

But  right  anon  [for]  al  your  great  highnes, 

Sole  from  your  men  in  hast  ye  shall  it  lete, 

Who  most  aboundeth  here  in  great  riches, 

Shall  beare  with  hym  but  a  [single]  shete.  *  1 12 

The  Kyng  maketh  aunswere. 

IHAUE  nought  learned  here-toforn  to  daunce 
No  daunce  in  sooth  of  footyng  so  sauage, 
Where-through  I  se  by  clere  demonstraunce, 

What  pride  is  worth  or  force  of  high  linage!  Il6 

Death  all  fordo[e]th,  this  is  his  vsage, 
Great  and  smal  that  in  this  world  soiourne: 
Who  is  most  meke,  I  hold[e]  hym  most  sage; 
For  we  shall  all  to  dede*  ashes  tourne.  120 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Patriarche. 

SYR  Patriarche,  al  your  humble  chere 
Ne  quiteth  you  nought  nor  your  humilitie; 
Your  double  crosse  of  gold  and  stones  clere, 

Your  power  whole  and  al  your  dignitie  124 

Some  other  shall  of  very  equitie 
Possede  anon,  as  I  rehearse  can: 
Trusteth  neuer  that  ye  shall  Pope  be; 
For  foly*  hope  deceiueth  many  a  man!  128 

The  Patriarche  maketh  aunswere. 

WORLDLY  honour,  gret  treasour  &  riches 
Haue  me  deceiued  soothfastly  in  dede; 
IMine  old[e]  ioyes  been  turned  to*  tristesse! 

What  auayleth  such  treasours  to  possede?  132 

Hie  clymbyng*  vp  a  fall  hath  for  his  mede. 
Great  estates  folke  wasten  out  of  number; 
Who  mounteth  high,  it  is  sure  and  no  drede, 
Great[e]  burden  doth  hym  oft  encomber.  136 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Cunstable. 

IT  is  my  ryght  to  arest  you  and  constreyne 
With  vs  to  daunce,  my  mayster  Sir  Cunstable! 
For  more  stronger  thaw  euer  was  Charlemain, 
Death  hath  afforced,  and  more  worshipable;  140 

For  hardines  ne  knighthode,  this  no*  fable. 
Nor  strong  armure  of  plates  ne*  of  maile,  — 
What  gayneth  armes  of  folkes  most  notable, 
Whan  cruell  death  list  hem*  to  assayle?  144 

The  Cunstable  maketh  aunswere. 

MY  purpose  was  and  whole  entencion 
To  assail  castel[le]s  &  mighty  fortresses. 
And  bryng[e]  folke  vnto  subieccion. 
To  seke  honour,  fame,  and  great  richesses;  148 

109.  for]  om.  L.  112.  single]  ovi.  L. 

119.  I  holde  hym]  holde  he  is  H.  120.  dede]  the  dead  T,  L. 
121.  al]wjt^allH.  128.  foly]  holy  T,  L.  131.  to]  into  T,  L, 
133.  Hie  clymbyng]  It  climbeth  T,  L. 

140.  afforced]  enforcede  H. 

141.  this]  om.  H  —  no]  is  no  T,  L,  H.    142.  ne]  nother  T,  L. 
144.  hem]  him  T.    146.  fortresse  H.    148.  richesse  H. 


1030  The  Daunce  of  Machahree 

But  I  see  tliat  al  worldly  prowesse 

Death  can  abate,  which  is  a  great  despite; 

To  him  alone,  sorow  and  eke  swetenes: 

For  agaynst  death  is  found[e)  no  respite.  ISa 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Archebishop, 

SYR  Archebishop,  why  do  ye  you  withdrawe 
So  frowardly,  as  it  wer  by  disdayne? 
Ye  must  approche  [vn]  to  my  mortall  iawe; 

It  to  contrary  it  wer  but*  in  vayne:  156 

For  day  by  day  there  is  none  other  payne. 
Death  at  the  hand  pursucth  euery  coast; 
Prest  and  debtc  mot  bee  yelde  againc, 
And  at  a  daye  men  counten  with  her  host.  160 

The  Archebishop  maketh  aunswere. 

ALAS,  I  wote  not  what*  partie  for  to  flee. 
For  drede  of  death  I  haue  so  gret  distres! 
Tescape*  his  might  I  can  no  refute  see; 

That  wbo-so  knew  his  co«streint  and  duresse,  164 

He  would[e]  take  reason  to  maistresse. 
Adue  my  treasour,  my  pompe  &  pride  also, 
My  painted  chawihers,  my  port  &  my  freshnes,  — 
Tliyng  that  behoueth  nedes  mot  be  do.  168 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Barone. 

YE  that  among[es]  Lordes  and  Barons 
Haue  had  so  long[e]  worship  and  renoun, 
Foryet  your  trumpetes  and  your  clarions; 

This  is  no  dreame  nor  simulacion.  172 

Whylom  your  custom  and  entencion 
Was  with  ladies  to  daunsen  in  the  shade; 
But  oft  it  happeth,  in  conclusion, 
One  man  breaketh  that  another  made.  176 

The  Baron  maketh  aunswere. 

FULL  oft[e]  sith  I  haue  been  auctorised 
To  high  emprises  &  thinges  of  gret  fame. 
Of  high  &  low  my  thanke  also  deuised. 

Cherished  with  ladies  &  women  high  of  name;  180 

Ne  neuer  on  me  was  put  no  defame, 
In  lordes  courte,*  which  that  was  notable; 
But  deathes  stroke  hath  made  me  [so]  lame: 
Under  heauen  in  earth  is  nothyng  stable.  184 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Princesse. 

COME  forth  anon,  my  Lady  good  Princesse, 
Ye  must  also  gon  vpon  this  daunce. 
Nought  may  auayle  your  great  strauwgenesse, 
Nether  your  beauty  nor  your  gret  pleasaunce,  188 

153.  you]  so  H.      155.  vnto]  to  L. 

156.  but]  nought  but  T,  L.      158.  the]  om.  H. 

159.  debte]  death  L.    160.  a]  00  H.    161.  what]  to  what  T,  L. 

163.  Tescape]  To  escape  T.       166.  &]  my  H. 

182.  courte]  of  court  T,  L.       183.  so]  om.  L. 


The  Daunce  of  Machahree  103 1 

Your  riche  aray,  nother  your  daliaunce, 

That  whylom  couth  so  many  holde  in  hond 

In  loue,  for  al  your  double  variaunce. 

Ye  mot  as  nowe  this  footyng  vnderstonde.  192 

The  Princesse  maketh  aunswere. 

ALAS,  I  see  there  is  none  other  boote, 
Deth  hath  in  earth  no  lady  nor  maistres, 
And*  on  this  daunce  yet  mot  I  nedes  fote: 

For  there  nis  quene,  countesse  ne  dutchesse,  196 

Flouring  in  bountie  nor  in  her  fayrenes, 
That  shode  of  Death  mot  passe  the  passage. 
When  our  beautie  and  counterfeit  fairnes 
Dieth,  adue  then  our  rimpled  age!  200 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Bishop. 

MY  Lord  Sir  Bishop,  with  miter  &  crosse. 
For  al  your  riches,  soothlye  I  ensure. 
For  all  your  treasour  [so  longe]  kept  in  closse, 
Your  worldly  goodes  and  goodes  of  nature,  204 

[And]  of  your  shepe  the  ghostly  dredeful*  cure, 
With  charge  committed  to  your  prelacie. 
For  to  accoumpt  ye  shal  be  brought  to  lure,  — 
No  wight  is  sure  that  climbeth  ouer  hye.  208 

The  Bishop  maketh  atmswere. 

MINE  heart  truely  is  nother  glad  ne  mery. 
Of  sodein  tidinges  which  that  ye  [me]  u.ing; 
My  feast  is  turned  vnto  a  simple  ferye,* 

That  for  discomfort  me  list  nothyng  [to]  syng.  212 

The  world  contrarie  now  to  my*  werking. 
Which  al  estates*  can  so  disherite; 
He  al  with-halt,  alas,  at  our  partyng, 
And  al*  shall  passe  saue  onely  our  merlte.  216 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Squyer. 

COMMETH  forth  Syr  Squyer,  right  fresh  of  your  araye, 
That  conne  of  daunces  al  the  new[e]  guise, 
Thoghe  ye  bare  armes,  fresshe  horsed  yesterday,* 
With  spere  &  shielde  at  your  vncouth  deuise,  220 

195.   And]  &  T  —  this]  his  H.       197.   bountie]  beaute  H. 
198.]    That  she  of  right  most  nedys  the  trace  sew  H  —  shode] 

shooe  T.        199.  When]  For  to  H. 
200.]    Our  Reueled  age  saith  farwell  adiev  H. 
201.  with]  your  H.       203.   For]  om.  H  —  so  longe]  om.  L. 
205.   And]  om.  L  —  ghostly  dredeful]  dredeful  ghostly  T,  L. 

210.  me]  om.  L. 

211.  vnto  a  simple  ferye]  into  simple  terie  T,  L. 

212.  to]  om.  L. 

213.  contrarie  now  to  my]  contrarieth  to  me  now  in  T  — 
world]  word  L  —  now]  om.  L  —  my]  me  in  L. 

214.  Which  al  estatis]  That  al  folkes  T,  H. 

215.]  And  needis  we  must  on  to  our  departyng  L. 

216.  And  al]  Al  thyng  T,  H. 

217.  This  stanza  is  omitted  inL  —  Commeth]  Come  H  —  of] 
in  H.         218.   davnce  H. 

219.]  If  ye  bare  harnes  freshly  horsed  yesterday  T. 


1032  The  Daunce  of  Machabree 

And  toke  on  you  so  many  high  emprise, 

Daunseth  with  vs;   it  wyl  no  l>cttcr  be;     • 

There  is  no  succour  in  no  maner  wyse: 

For  no  man  may  fro  Deathes  stroke  flee.  224 

The  Squyer  maketh  aunswere. 

SITHENS  that  Death  me  holdeth  in  liis  lase, 
\'et  shal  I  spcake  00  worde  or  that*  I  passe: 
Adue  al  myrtli,  aduc  now  al  solace, 

Adue  my  ladies  whilom  so  frcshe  of  face,  228 

Aduc  bcautie,  pleasaunce,  and  al  solace! 
Of  Deathes  chaunge  euery  day  is  prime, 
Thinke  on  your  soules  or*  that  Death  manace; 
For  all  shal  rot,  and  no  man  wot  what  time.  232 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Abbot. 

COMMETH  forth  Syr  Abbot,  with  your  brode  hatte, 
Beeth  nought  abashed  thogh*  ye  hauen  ryght; 
Great  is  your  head,  your  belly  rounde*  and  fat, 
Ye  mot  come  daunce,  thogh*  ye  be  nothyng  light.  236 

Leaueth  your  abbey  to  some  other  wight. 
Your  heyre  is  of  age  your  state  to  occupie; 
Who  that  is  fattest,  I  haue  hym  behyght, 
[Shall]  in  his  graue*  soonest  putrifie.  240 

The  Abbot  maketh  aunswere. 

OF  thy  manace  I  hauen  o  gret*  enuy, 
That  I  shall  now  leaue  al*  gouernaunce. 
But  that  I  shal  as  a  cloystrer  dye; 

This  Death  is  to  me  passing  great  greuaunce.  244 

My  libertie  nor  my  great  habundaunce, 
What  may  they  vayle*  in  any  maner  wyse? 
Yet  aske  I  mercy  with  devoute*  repentaunce, 
Thogh*  in  dying  to  late  men  them  auise.  248 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Abbesse. 

AND  ye  my  lady,  gentle  dame  Abbesse, 
With  your  mantel[le]s  furred  large  and  wyde, 
Your  veile,  your  wimple,  your  ryng*  of  gret  riches, 
And  bedes,  sister,  ye  mot  now  leyn  a-syde;*  252 

For  to  this  daunce  I  must  be*  your  guide, 
Thogh*  ye  be  tender  borne  of  gentle  bloode, 
While  that  ye*  Hue  for  your  selfe  prouide; 
For  after  death[e]  no  man  hath  no  good.  256 

222.   no]  not  H. 

225.   lace  H.       226.   or  that]  ere  T,  L.       231.   orj  ere  T,  L. 
233.   Come  H.       234.   abashed  thogh]  abasht  if  T,  L. 
235.   rounde]  large  T,  H.       236.   if]  thogh  H. 
239.   fattest]  most  fatte  H.         240.   Shall  in  his  graue]  In  his 
graue  shall  T,  L.  241.   thy]  these  T. 

241.  thy  manace  I  haue  no  gret]  these  threts  haue  I  none  T  — 
thi  tretyse  L  —  no  gret]  noon  L. 

242.  al]  al  the  T,  L.       246.   vayle]  auayle  T,  H,  L. 
247.   devoute]  heartely  T,  L.       248.   Thogh]  If  T,  L. 
250.   mantel  L.       251.   your  ryng]  passing  T,  H. 

252.   a-syde]  on  syde  T,  H.       253.   must  be]  shalbe  T. 

254.  Thogh]  If  T  —  borne]  and  borne  H. 

255.  While  that  ye]  Whiles  that  you  T,  L.   256.  man]  wyght  H. 


The  Dmmce  of  Machabree  1033 

The  Abbesse  maketh  aunswere. 

ALAS  that  Death  hath  thus  for  me  ordeined, 
That  in  no  wise  I  maye  it  nought  declyne. 
If  it  so  be  ful  oft  I  am*  constrained, 

Brest  and  throte  my  notes  out  to  twyne,  260 

My  chekes  round  vernyshed*  for  to  shine, 
Ungird  ful  oft  to  walken  at  the  large,  — 
Thus  cruel  Death  with  al  estates  fine, 
Who  hath  no  shippe  must*  rowe  in  bote  or  barge.  264 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Bayly. 

COME  forth.  Sir  Bayly,  that  knowen  all  the  guise, 
By  your  office  of  trouth  &  rightwisnes, 
Ye  must  come  to  a  newe  assyse, 

Extorcions  and  wronges  to  redresse;  268 

Ye  be  somned,  as  lawe  biddeth  expresse, 
To  yeue  accomptes  the*  ludge  wil  you  charge, 
Which  hath  ordeined  to  excluden  al  falsnes, 
That  euery  man  shal  beare  his  own[e]  charge.  272 

The  Bayly  maketh  aunswere. 

OTHOU  Lord  God  this  is  a  hard  iourney, 
To  which  aforne  I  toke  but  litle  hede; 
My  chauMce  is  turned,  &  that  forthinketh  me, 
Whilom  wzt^  iudges  what  me  list  to  spede  276 

Lay  in  my  might,  by  labour  oft  for  mede. 
But  sith  there  is  no  rescus  by  battayle, 
I  hold  him  wise  that  couth  wel  seen  in  dede, 
Again[es]  Death  that  none  apel  may  vayle.  280 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Astronomer. 

COME  foorth,  Maister,  that  lookest  vp  so  farre, 
With  instrumentes  of  Astronomie 
To  take  the  grees  and  hyght  of  euery  starre; 
What  may  auaile  all  your  astrologie?  —  284 

Sith  of  Adam  all  the  genealogie. 
Made  first  of  God  to  walke  vpon  the  ground, 
Death  aresteth;*  thus  sayth  theologie: 
And  all  shall  dye  for  an  apple  rounde.  288 

The  Astronomer  maketh  aunswere. 

FOR  all  my  craft,  cunnyng  and*  science, 
I  can  nought  find[e]  no  prouision, 
Ne*  in  the  starres  seke*  no  difference 
By  domifying  nor  calculacion,  292 

257.  thus  for  me]  for  me  so  L. 

258.  it  nought  declyne]  nat  hym  eschewe  L. 

259.  am]  haue  T,  L.       261.   vernyshed]  garnished  T,  L. 
262.  Vngirt  H.       264.   must]  he  must  T,  L. 

268.  Extorcioun  H,    270.   the]  that  T,  L.    274.   To]  To  the  H. 

277.  by]  for  H.         278.   sith]  sethyn  H  —  by]  ne  H. 

279.  couth  wel  seen]  cowde  see  H. 

285.  of]  that  of  H. 

287.  aresteth]  with  arest  T,  L.       289.   and]  or  T,  L. 

291.  Ne]  Nother  T,  L  —  seke]  search  out  T,  L. 

292.  domifying]  demonstrynge  H  —  nor]  ne  H. 


1034  '^^^  Daunce  of  Machabree 

Sane  finally,  in  conclusion, 

For  to  descriiic  our  cunnyng  euery  dele: 

1  here  is  no  more  by  sentence  of  reason, 

Who  liucth  aryght  mot  nodes  dye  well.  296 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Burgis. 

SYR  Burnis,  wiiat  doe  ye  lenger*  taryc? 
For  all  your  auoyre  and  youre  great  riches, 
Thoghe*  ye  be  strong,  deinous  and  contrary. 

Toward  this  daunce  ye  mot  you  nedes  dresse;  300 

For  your*  treasour,  plentie  and  largesse. 
From  other  it  came  and  shall  vnto  strangers. 
He  is  a  foole  that  in  such  busines, 
Wot  nought  for  whom  he  stuffeth  his  garners!  304 

The  Burgis  maketh  aunswere. 

CERTES  to  me  it  is  great  displeasaunce, 
To  leaue  al  this  &  mai  it  nought  assure: 
Howses,*  rentes,  treasor  &  substaunce,  — 

Death  al  fordoth,  suche  is  his  nature.  308 

Therfore  wise  is  no  creature. 
That  set  his  heart  on  good  that  moste*  disseuer; 
The  world  it  lent,  the  worlde  wil  it  recure; 
And  who  most  hath,  lothest  dyeth  euer.  312 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Chanon  Seculer. 

AND  ye,  Syr  Chanon,  with  many  great  prebende, 
Ye  may  no  lenger  haue  distribucion 
Of  golde  [and]  siluer,  largelye  to  dispende; 

For  there  is  nowe  no  consolacion  3^6 

But  daunce  with  vs,  for  al  your  high  renoun. 
For  ye  of  death[e]  stonde*  vpon  the  brinke, 
Ye  may  therof  haue  no  delacion; 
Death  commeth  ay  when  men  least  on  hiwi  thinke.  320 

The  Chanon  maketh  aunswere. 

MY  benefice  with  mony  personage, 
God  wot  ful  lite  may  me  now  comfort. 
Death  hath  of  me  so  great  auauntage, 

That  al  my  riches  may  me  nought  disport,  —  3H 

Amisse  of  gris,  they  wyl  ayein  resorte, 
Vnto  the  world  a  surples  and  prebende. 
Al  is  vainglory,  truely  to  reporte, 
To  dyen  well  eche  man  should  entende.  3^8 

297.  lenger]  long  T,  L.       298.   auoyre]  haueur  H. 

299.  Thoghe]  Yf  T,  L. 

300.  Toward]  To  H  —  mot  you]  muste  now  H. 

301.  your]  of  al  T,  L.       307.   Howses]  How  these  T,  L. 
308.  fordoth]  destroieth  H. 

310.  on]  of  H  —  moste]  may  T,  L.       3 1 1,    ist  it]  is  H. 

3 18.  For  ye  of  death  stonde]  For  if  death  stode  T,  R. 

320.  ay]  euer  H. 

321.  benefice]  benefices  H.     322.   lytell  H.      323.   of]  ou^r  H. 

324.  That]  om.  H  —  me  nought  disport]  be  me  not  support  H. 

325.  Amys  H. 


The  Daunce  of  Machahree  1035 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Marchaunte. 

YE  rich  Marchant,  ye  mot  looke  hitherwarde, 
That  passed  haue  ful  many  diuers  lond 
On  horse,  on  foote,  hauing  most  regard 

To  lucre  &  winnyng,  as  I  vnderstond.  •  332 

But  now  to  daunce  ye  mot  geue  me  your  hond; 
For  al  your  labour  ful  litle  auayleth  nowe. 
Adue  vaynglory,  both  of  free  and  bonde, 
None  more  coueit  then  thei  that  haue  ynow.  336 

The  Marchaunt  maketh  aunswere.    • 

BY  many  an  hyll  and  many  a  strong[e]  vale 
I  haue  trauailed  with  many  marchandise; 
Ouer  the  sea  downe  cary  many  a  bale 

To  sondrye  lies,  more  than  I  can  deuyse,  340 

Mine  heart  inward  ay  fret*  with  couetise, 
But  al  for  nought,  now  Deth  me  doth*  constrein: 
For  which  I  se,  by  record  of  the  wyse. 
Who  al  embraceth  litle  shall  restrayne.*  344 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Chartreux. 

YEUE  me  your  honde,  with  chekes  dead  and  pale, 
Caused  of  watche  &  long  abstinence. 
Sir  Chart[e]reux,  and  your  self  auale 

Vnto  this  daunce  with  humble  pacience.  348 

To  striue  ayein  may  be  no  resistence, 
Lenger  to  Hue  set  nought  your  memorye; 
Thogh*  I  be  lothsome  as  in  apparence, 
Aboue[n]  al  men  Death  [hath]  the  victorie.  352 

The  Chartreux  maketh  aunswere. 

VNTO  this*  world  I  was  dead  long  agon 
By  mine  order  and  my  profession; 
And  eueryman,  be  he  neuer  so  strong, 

Dreadeth  to  dye  by  kindly  mocion  3  56 

After  his  fleshly  inclinacion. 
But"  please  to  God  my  soule  [for]  to  borowe 
Fro  Fiendes  myght  and  fro  damnacion: 
Some  arne  to-day  that  shal  nought  be  to-morow.  360 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Sargeaimte. 

COME  foorth  Sir  Sargeaunt,  with  your  stately  mase. 
Make  no  defence  nor  rebellion. 
Nought  may*  auaile  to  grutchen  in  this  case, 
Thogh*  ye  be  deyners  of  condicion:  364 

339.  downe]  do  H. 

341.  fret]  fretteth  T.      342.   me  doth  T.      343.   For]  By  H. 

344.  restrayne]  constrein  T. 

3SI.  Thogh]IfT  — as]oOT.  H.      353.   this]  the  T. 

355.  And]ThogheH.     358.   to]  it  to  H.     359.  2nd  fro]  ow.  H. 

362.  nor]  ne  no  H.         363.  Nought  may]  It  may  nought  T. 

364.  Thogh]  If  T  —  deynous  H. 


1036  The  Daunce  of  Machahree 

For  neyther  [ap]pele  nor  proteccion 

May  you  fraimchise  to  doe  nature  wrong; 

For  there  is  none  so  sturdy  chaumpion, 

Tliogh*  he  be  mightie,  anotlier  is  also  strong.  368 

The  Sargeaunt  maketh  aunswere. 

HOWE  durste  thou*  Death  set  on  me  arest, 
That  am  the  kynges  chosen  olHcer, 
Which  yesterday,  both[en]  cast  and  west, 

Mine  office  dyd,  ful  surqucdous  of  cherc;  372 

But  now  tliis  day  I  am  arestcd  here, 
And  can  nought  flee,  tholi*  I  had  it  svvorne. 
Eche*  man  is  loth  to  die,  both  farre  &  ncre. 
That  hath  nought  learned  for  to  dye*  aforne.  376 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Monke. 

SYR  Monke,  also  with  your  blacke  habite, 
Ye  may  no  ledger  hold[e]  here  soioure; 
There  is  nothyng  that  may  you  here  respite 

Agein  my  might  you  for  to  doe  succour;  380 

Ye  mot  accompt[e]  touchyng  your  labour, 
How  ye  haue  spend  it,  in  dede,  word  &  thought. 
To  earth  and  ashes  turneth  euery  floure; 
The  life  of  man  is  but  a  thyng  of  nought.  384 

The  Monke  maketh  aunswere. 

I   HAD  leauer  in  the  cloyster  be. 
At  m\'  booke  and  study  my  seruice, 
Which  is  a  place  contemplatife  to  see; 

But  I  haue  spent  my  life  in  mony  wyse,  388 

Like  as  a  foole  dissolute  and  nice. 
God  of  his  mercy  graunt  me  repentaunce. 
By  chere  outward  hard  is  to  deuise, 
Al  be  not  merye  which  that  men  seen  daunce.  392 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Usurer. 

THOU  Vsurer,  looke  vp  and  beholde, 
Unto  wynnyng  that  settest  al*  thy  payne, 
Whose  couetise  vvaxeth  neuer  colde, 

Thy  gredy  thrust  so  sore  the  doth  constraine.  396 

But  thou  shalt  neuer  to  thy  desyre  attayne, 
Suche  an  etike  thyne  heart[e]  freten  shall. 
But  that  of  pitie  God  his  honde  refraine, 
One  perilous  stroke  shal  make  thee  losen  al.  4CX> 

367.  a  champyoun  H. 

368.  Thogh]  If  T  —  another  is]  Deth  is  H. 

369.  durste  thou]  dare  this  T. 

374.   can]  may  H  —  thogh]ifT.       375.    Eche]  Euery  T,  H. 
376.   dye]  be  ded  T.  379-]  ^er  may  no  thinge  her  you 

respite  H.  3S0.  for]ow.  H.  381.   muste  H. 

382.    spend  it  in  dede  word]  spendid  worde  dede  H. 
385.    the]  my  H  —  be]  to  be  H.       391.    is]  om.  H. 
392.   not]  no  H. 

394.   wynnyng  that  settest  al]  thy  wynnyng  thou  settest  aye  T. 
397.    to]  om.  H.         399.    But  that]  That  but  H. 
400.   loosen]  lese  H. 


The  Daunce  of  Machabree  I037 

The  Usurer  maketh  aunswere. 

NOW  [me]  behoueth  sodeinly  to  dye, 
Which  is  to  me  great  paine  &  eke  greuance. 
Succour  to  fynde  I  see  no  maner  way 

Of  golde  nor  siluer  by  none  cheuisance;  404 

Death  through  his  hast  abideth  no  purueiawce 
Of  folkes  blynde  that  can  nought  loke  wel: 
Full  oft  happeth  by  kynde  of  fatall  chaunce, 
Some  haue  fayre  eyen  that  seen  neuer  adel.  408 

The  Poore  Man  boroweth  of  the  Usurer. 

V SURER  to  God  is  full  great  offence, 
And  in  his  syght  a  great  abusion; 
The  poore  boroweth  percase  for  indigence. 

The  riche  lent  by  false  collusion,  412 

Onely  for  lucre  in  his  entencion. 
Death  shal  both[e]  to  accoumptes  fette. 
To  make  reconing  by  computacion: 
No  man  is  quit  that  is  behynd  of  dette.  416 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Phisicien. 

MAISTER  of  Phisike,  which  on  your  vryne 
So  looke  and  gase  and  stare  agaynst  the  sunne, 
For  al  your  craft  and  study  of  medicine, 

[And]  all  the  practike  and  science  that  ye  cunne,  420 

Your  lyues*  course  so  farre  forth  is  yrunne, 
Ayein  my  might  your  craft  m^y  not  endure, 
For  al  the  gold  that  ye  thereby*  haue  wunne: 
Good  leche  is  he  that  can  himself*  recure.  424 

The  Phisicien  maketh  aunswer. 

FULL  long  agon  that  I  vnto  Phisike 
Set  my  wit  and  eke  my  diligence. 
In  speculatife  and  also  in  practike,* 

To  geat  a  name  through  mine  excellence,  428 

To  fynd  out  agaynes*  pestilence 
Preseruatifes  to  staunche  it  and  to  fine: 
But  I  dare  [say]  shortly  in  sentence, 
Againes*  Death  is  worth  no  medicine.  432 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Amerous  Squyre. 

YE  that  be  gewtle,  so  fresh  &  amerous. 
Of  yeres  yong  flouring  in  your  grene  age. 
Lusty  [and]  fre,  of  hert  eke*  desirous, 
Ful  of  deuises  &  chaunge  in  your  courage,  436 

402.  eke^  om.  H. 

406.  loke]  se  H.         407.   chaunce]  chaunge  H. 

409.  This  stanza  is  omitted  in  H. 

416.  No  is  repeated  in  T. 

417.  on]  in  H.       421.   lyues]  life  T. 

423.  ye  thereby]  thereby  ye  T  —  haue]  hath  H. 

424.  can  himself]  himself  can  T.       426.   eke]  om.  H. 
427.    practike]  pracktife  T. 

429.    agaynes]  agaynst  T. 

432.   Againes]  Say  that  against  T. 

435.   eke]  &  eke  T,  and  {the  rest  erased)  H. 


1038  The  Daunce  of  Machahree 


i 


Pleasaunt  of  port,  of  loke  and  of  visage:  < 

But  al  shal  tiirnc  into  ashes  dead;  < 

For  al  beautie  is  but  a  faynt  ymaRC, 
Which  stcaleth  away  or  folkcs  can  take  hcde.  440 

The  Squyer  maketh  aunswer. 

'1 

ALAS,  alas,  I  can  nowe  no  succour  I 

ARayncs*  Dcath[c]  for  myselfe  prouide! 
A-due  of  youth  the  histy  fresh[c]  flower,  J 

Adue  vainglory  of  beautie  and  of  pride,*  444  < 

Adue  all  seruice  of  the  god  Cupide,  ' 

Adue  my  Ladies,  so  fresh  so  wel  beseyn: 

For  agayn[s]  Death  nothyng  may  abyde,  ■ 

And  windes  great  gon  doun  with  litlc  rein.  448  j 

Death  st>eaketh  to  the  Gentlewoman.  ■ 

COME  forth  Maistresse,  of  yeres  yonge  and  grene, 
Which  hold  your  selfe  of  beautie  souereyn,  , 

As  fayre  as  ye  was  whilom  PoUixene,  j 

Penelope  and  the  quene  Helein.  452  j 

Yet  on  this  daunce  thei  went[e]  both[e]  tweyne,  : 

And  so  shall  ye,  for  al  your  straungenesse;  \ 

Thogh*  daunger  long  in  loue  hath  lad  your  rein, 
Arested  is  your  chaunge  of  doublenes.  456 

The  Gentlewoman  maketh  atmswer. 

O  CRUEL  Death,  that  spareth  none  estate,  \ 

To  old  and  yong  thou  art  indifferent; 
To  my  beautie  thou  hast  said  checkmate,  ; 

So  hasty  is  thy  mortail  iudgement.  460  J 

For  in  my  youth[e]  this  was  mine  entent,  ; 

To  my  seruice  many  man  to  haue  lured; 
But  she  is  a  foole,  shortly  in  sent[e]ment. 
That  in  her  beautie  is  to  muche  assured.  464 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Man  of  Law. 

SYR  Aduocate,  short  proces  for  to  make. 
Ye  mot  come  plete  afore  the*  high[e]  iudge. 
Many  a  quarel*  ye  haue  vndertake 

And  for  lucre  done  to  folke  refuge;  468 

But  my  fraunchise  is  so  large  and  huge 
That  counsayle  none  auaile  may  but  trouth: 

He  scapeth  wisely  of  death  the  great  deluge,  \ 

Tofore  the  dome  who  is  nought  teint  wit^  slouth.  472  ; 

The  Man  of  Law  maketh  aimswer.  \ 

OF  right  &  reason  by  Natures  law,  ' 

I  can  nought  putte  against  Deth  no  defence,  j 

Ne  by  my*  sleight  me  kepen  or  withdraw,  ' 

For  al  my  wit  and  al*  my  gret  prudence,*  476               " 

439.    al]  al  your  H. 

442.   Against  T.       444.   of  pride]  the  prouide  T.  ] 

455.  Thogh]  YfT — hath]  haue  H.     462.   lured]  allcMrede  H.  ] 

462.   sentement]  sentence  H.        466.   the]  that  H. 
467.   a  quarel]  quarels  T.        468.   done  to]  to  do  H. 
474.   nought]  om.  H  —  putte]  putten  T.  475  is  transposed 

after  ^yjT.      475.  Ne  by  my]  Nother  by  no  T  —  or]  ne  H. 
476.   and  al]  and  H,  for  al  T. 


The  Daunce  of  Machahree  1039 

To  [make]  appeale  from  his  dredful  sentence; 

Nor  nothyng  in  earth  may  a  man  preserue, 

Agayn  his  might  to  make  resistence: 

God  quiteth  all  men  like  as  they  deserue.  480 

Death  speaketh  to  Maister  John  Rikil  Tregetour. 

MASTER  John  Rikil,  whilom  Tregetour 
Of  noble  Henry  king  of  Eng[e]lond, 
And  of  Fraunce  the  mightie  conquerour,  — 

For  al  the  sleightes  and  turning  of  thine  hond,  484 

Thou  must  come  nere  my  dauwce  to  vnderstond. 
Nought  may  auayle  al  thy  conclusions; 
For  Death,  shortly,  nother  on  sea  ne  lond. 
Is  not  deceiued  by  none  illusions.  488 

The  Tregetour  maketh  aunswer. 

WHAT  may  auayle  magike  naturall 
Or  any  craft  shewed  by  apparence, 
Or  course  of  starres  aboue  celestiall. 

Or  of  the  heauens  al  the  influence  492 

Ageynes*  Death  to  stonde  at  defence? 
Legerdmain  now  helpeth  me  right  nought. 
Fare  wel  my  craft  and  [al]  such  sapience; 
For  Death  hath  mo  maistries  than  I  haue  wrought.*  496 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Person. 

OSIR  Curate,  that  been  now  here  present, 
That  had  your  worldly  inclinacion. 
Your  heart  entere,  your  study  &  entent, 

Most  of  your  tithes  and*  oblacion,  500 

Which  should  haue  be  of  conuersacion 
Mirrour  to  other,  light  and  examplarie,  — 
Like  your  desert[e]  shalbe  yout  guerdon, 
And  to  eche*  labour  due  is  the  salarye.  504 

The  Person  maketh  aunswere. 

M  AUGER  my  wil  I  must[e]  condescende; 
For  death  assaileth  euery  liuely  thing 
Here  in  this  world[e],  who  can  comprehend 

His  sodein  stroke  and  his  vnware  commyng.*  508 

Fare  wel  [my]  tithes,  and  fare  wel  mine  off"ring,  — 
I  mot  go  coumpten  in*  order  by  and  by. 
And  for  my  shepe  make  a  iust  reckonyng: 
Whom  he  acquiteth*  I  hold  he  is  happye.  512 

479.   make]  make  no  H. 

481.    This  stanza  is  transposed  in  H,  following  ibe  Minstral. 

485.   my]  this  H.       487.   ne]  and  H. 

492.   the  heauens]  heuen  H.       493.   Ageynes]  Against  T. 

496.]   For  Death  mo  maistries  hath  ywrought  T  —  wrought] 

wronge  H.       500.   and]  and  your  T.       504.   eche]  euery  T. 
508.   commyng]  turnyng  T. 
510.   in]  by  T. 
512.   Whom  he  acquiteth]  &  who  that  so  him  quiteth  T. 


1040  The  Daunce  of  Machahree 

Death  speak eth  to  the  lurrour. 

MAISTER  Iiirioiir,  whicli  tluit  at  assises 
And  at  shores  questes  dydst  embrace, 
Dcpartist*  lond  like  to  thy  deiiiscs, 

And  wlio  most  gaue  most  stode  in  thy  grace:  516 

The  poore  man  lost  hotiife]  land  and  place; 
For  golde  thou  couldcst  foike  disherite. 
But  now  let  se,  with  thy  teynt[e]  face 
Tofore  the  ludge  how  [thou]  canst  thee  quitel  520 

The  lurrour  maketh  aunswere. 

WHILOM  I  was  cleped  in  my  countrey 
The  belweather,  and  that  was  not  alite. 
Nought  loued  but  drad  of  high  &  low  degree; 
Fbr  whom  me  list  by  craftJ  could  endite,  —  524 

Hongen  the  true  and  the  thefe  respite: 
Al  the  countrey  by  my  worde  was  lad. 
But  I  dare  sein,  shortly  for  to  write, 
Of  my  death  many  a  man  is  glad.  5^8 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Minstral. 

OTHOU  Minstrall,  that  can  so  note  and  pipe 
Unto  folke[s]  for  to  done  pleasaunce, 
By  thi*  ryght  honde  anone  I  shall  the  gripe, 
With  these  other  to  gone  vpon  my  daunce;  532 

There  is  no  scape  nother  auoydaunce, 
On  no  syde  to  contraire*  my  sentence: 
For  in  musike  by  craft  and  accordaunce 
Who  maister  Is  [shal]  shewen  his  science.*  S36 

The  Minstrall  maketh  aunswere. 

THIS  new[e]  daunce  is  to  me  so  straunge, 
Wonder  diuers  and  passingly  contrarye; 
The  dredefuU  footyng  doth  so  oft[e]  chaunge 
And  the  measures  so  oft[e]  tymes*  varye,  S40 

Which  now  to  me  is  nothyng*  necessarye. 
If  it  wer  so  that  I  might  asterte! 
But  many  a  man,  if  I  shal  nought  tary. 
Oft  [tyme]  daunseth,  but  nothyng  of  hert.  S44 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Labourer. 

THOU  Labourer,  which  in  sorowe  and  peyn 
Hast  lad  thy  life  in  [ful]  great  trauayle. 
Ye  must  eke  daunce  and  therfore  nought  disdein; 
For  if  thou  do,  it  may  the  nought  auayle.  S48 

And  cause  why  that  I  thee  assayle 
Is  onely  this:  from  thee  to  disceuer 
The  false  world  that  can  so  folkes  fayle; 
He  is  a  foole  that  weneth  to  liuen  euer.  ^S^ 

513.  at]  is  at  H. 

515.  Departest]  Deper  didst  T  —  deuises]  devise  H. 

529.  can]  canst  H.       531.   thi]  the  T. 

534.  contraire]  contune  T.       536.   science]  sentence  T. 

540.  tymes]  sith  T.       541.   now  to  me  is]  vnto  me  is  now  T. 

545.  Thou]  O  thou  H.      548.  if]  thoghe  H. 

552.  liuen]  liue  H. 


The  Daunce  of  Machabree  1041 

The  Labourer  maketh  aunswere. 

IHAUE  wished  after  Death  ful  oft, 
Albe  that  I  would  haue  fled  him  nowe. 
I  had  leauer  to  haue  lyen  vnsoft, 

In  wind  &  rain  to  haue  gon  at  the  plowe,  556 

With  spade  &  pikoys  labored  for  my  prowe, 
Doluen  and  ditched  and  at  the  cart[e]  gone: 
For  I  may  say  and  tell[e]  platlye  howe, 
In  this  worlde  there  is  rest[e]  none.  560 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Frere  Menour. 

SYR  Cordelere,  to  you  mine  hande  is  taught. 
To*  this  daunce  [you]  to  conuay  &  leade. 
Which  in  your  preaching  han  ful  oft  ytaught 
How  that  I  am  most  gastful  for  to  drede,  564 

Albe  that  folke  take  thereto  none  hede. 
Yet  is  there  none  so  strong  ne  so  hardye, 
But  Death  dare  hym  rest  and  let  for  no  made; 
For  Death  yche*  houre  is  present  and  ready.  568 

The  Frere  maketh  aunswere. 

WHAT   may  this  be,  that  in  this  world  no  man 
Here  to  abide  may  haue  no  suretie.'' 
Strength,  riches,  nor  what  so  that  he  can 

Of  worldly  wisedom;   all  is  but  vanitie!  572 

In  great  estate  nor  in  pouertie 
Is  nothing  founde  that  may  from*  death  defend; 
For  which  I  saye  to  high  and  low  degree, 
Wise  is  the*  sinner  that  doth  his  lyfe  amend.  576 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Chylde. 

LITLE  Faunte,  that  were  but  late  borne, 
Shape  in  this  worlde  to  haue  no  pleasaunce, 
Ye  must  with  other,  that  gone  here  beforne. 
Be  lad  in  hast  by  fatall  ordinaunce.  580 

Learne  ouer*  new  to  gone  [up]on  my  daunce: 
There  may  none  age  escape  in  soth  therefro. 
Let  euery  wight  haue  this  in  remembraunce. 
Who  lengest  liueth  most  shal  suffer  woe,  584 

The  Yong  Childe  maketh  aunswer. 

A  A  a,  a  woorde  I  cannot  speake; 
I  am  so  yonge;   I  was  borne  yesterday. 
Death  is  so  hasty  on  me  to  be  wreake, 

And  list  no  lenger  to  make  no  delaie.  588 

I  come  but  now,*  and  now  I  go  my  way; 
Of  me  no  more  tale*  shall  [ye]  be  told. 
The  wyll  of  God  no  man  withstonde  maye; 
As  soone  dyeth  a  yong  [man]  as  an  olde.  592 

555.  haue]  haue  had  H.         557.   labored]  haue  labored  H. 

558.  ditched]  dyke  H.         560.   there]  here  there  H. 

562.  To]  You  to  H.       563.   oft  taught  H. 

567.  dare  hym  rest]  dar  arest  him  H.       568.   yche]  euery  T. 

574.  from]  his  T.       576.   the]  that  T.       577.    Enfante  H. 

579-  Ye]  thou  H.      581.   ouer]  of  T.     585.   A  a  a  a]  A  A  a  H. 

589.  I  come  but  now]  I  am  but  now  borne  T. 

590.  tale]  to  tale  T. 


1042  The  Dauticf  of  Machabree 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Yong  Gierke. 

OYE,  Syr  ClcrLc,  suppose  yc  to  be  free 
Fro  my  daiince  or  your  selfe  defende, 
That  wend  haue  risen  vnto  IukIi  degree 

Of  benefice  or  some  great  prebende?  59^ 

Who  climbeth  highest  sometime  slial  descend. 
Let  no  man  grutclie  ayeines*  his  fortune, 
But  take  at  gree  what-eucr  God  him  sendc, 
Which  punisheth  al  when  time  is  oportunc.  600 

The  Gierke  maketh  aunswere. 

SHALL  [I]  tliat  am  so  yong  a  clerke  now  die, 
l'"ro*  my  seruice  &  haue  no  bet  guerdon? 
Is  there  no  gayn[el  nc  no  better  way, 

Nb  seurer*  fraunchise  nor  proteccion?  604 

Death  maketh  alway  a  short  conclusion; 
To  late  ware,  when  men  been  on  the  brynke: 
The  world  shall  fayle  and  all  possession; 
For  much  faileth  of  thing  that  foles*  thinke.  608 

Death  speaketh  to  the  Hennite. 

YE  that  haue  liued  long  in  wildernes 
And  there  continued  long  in  abstinence, 
At  the  last[e]  yet  ye  mot  you  dresse. 

Of  my  daunce  to  haue  experience;  612 

For  there  against  may  be*  no  resistence. 
Take  now  leaue  of  thyne  hermitage: 
W[h]erfore  yche*  man  aduert  to  this  sentence. 
That  [inl  this  life  is*  no  sure  heritage.  616 

The  Hennite  maketh  aimswere. 

TO  Hue  in  desert  called  solitarie 
May  again  Death  haue  respite  none  nor  space; 
At  vnset  houre  his  commyng  doth  not  tary, 

And  for  my  part  welcom  by  Goddes  grace,  620 

Thankyng  hym  with  humble  chere  &  face 
Of  al  his  giftes  and  great  haboundaunce, 
Finally  affirmyng  in  this  place, 
No  man  is  riche  that  lacketh  sufFraunce.  024 

Death  speaketh  agayn  to  the  Hennite. 

THAT  is  wel  sayd,  and  thus  should  euery  wight 
Thanken  his  God  &  al  his  wittes  dresse 
To  loue  &  dread  him  wit^  all  his  heart  &  might, 
Sith  Death  to  escape  maye  be  no  sikernes.  028 

As  men  deserue,  God  quiteth  of  rightwisnes 
To  riche  and  poore  vpon  euery  syde: 
A  better  lesson  there  can  no  clerke  expresse, 
Than  til  to-morow  is  no  man  sure  to  abide.  632 

CO?,  highest]  hie  H.         598.   ayeines]  ayeinst  T. 

599.  in  gree  H.      602.   Fro]  Of  T  —  bet]  better  T 

604.  seurer]  better  T  —  nor]  ne  H.       608.   foles]  folkes  I. 

613.  may  be]  is  T.       615.   yche]  euery  T  — to]  om.  H. 

616.  is]  here  is  T.       617.   To  Hue]  LyfF  H. 

619.  hour]  stewyne  H.       624.   sufFraunce]  suffisaunce   i. 

629.  quiteth]  quite  H.      630.  To]  The  H. 


The  Daunce  of  Machahree 


1043 


JMoa  Gt  vc  inf €riuir,fuppo(tfum(|  deo* 


M(^fify^^<^^^ j^c/^  ^^^/z^^m^ ^yi)u  oi^/^^ 


f  The  King  ligging  eaten  of  Wormes. 

YE  folke  that  loke  vpon  this  portrature, 
Beholding  here  all  estates  daunce, 
Seeth  what  ye  been  &  what  is  your  nature: 

Meat  vnto  wormes;  nought  els  in  substaunce.  636 

And  haueth  this  mirrour  aye  in  remembraunce, 
Howe  I  lye  here  whylom  crouned  [a]  kyng, 
To  al  estates  a  true  resemblaunce, 
That  wormes  foode  is*  fine  of  our*  liuyng.  640 


§  Machabree  the  Doctoure. 

MANS  lyfe*  is  nought  els,  platly  for  to  thinke. 
But  as  [a]  wind[e]  which  is  transitory, 
Passing  ay  forth,  whether  he  wake  or  winke. 
Toward  this  daunce,  haueth  this  in  memorye, 
Remembryng  aye  there  is  no  better  victory 
In  this  life  here  than  fle  syn  at  the  least; 
Than  shal  ye  reygne  in  paradise  with  glorye. 
Happy  is  he  that  maketh  in  heauen  his  feast! 

Yet  been  there  folkemo  than  sixe  or  seuen, 
Recheles  of  life  in  many  maner  wyse. 
Like  as  there  were  hell[e]  none  nor  heauen. 
Such  false  errour  let  euery  man  despise; 

633.  folkenif  H. 

634.  Beholdithe  H,       637.   haue  H  —  aye]  eu^r  H. 

640.  is]  is  the  T  —  our]  your  T. 

641.  Mans  lyfe]  Man  is  T,  Man  is  life  H  —  els]  om.  H. 
648.   in  heuen  that  maketh  H.       652.   errours  H. 


644 
648 

652 


I044  ^/-"^  Daunce  of  Machabree 

For  holy  saynctes  and  olde  clerkes  wyse 

Written  contrary,  lur  falscncs  to  deface:* 

To  liiitn  wd,  take*  for  the  best  emprise, 

Is  niucli[e]  worth  whe«  men  shall*  hence  passe.  656 

^  Lenuoye  of  the  Translatoure. 

OYK  my  lordcs  &  niaisters  all  in  fere,* 
Of  auenture  that  shal  this  daunce  reade, 
Lowely  I  pray  with  all  myne  heart  entere 

To  correct[el  wherc-as  ye  se  nede;  660 

For  nought  elles  I  aske  for  my  mede 
But  goodly  support  of  this  translacion, 

And  with  fauour  to  suppovvaile  drede,  | 

Bening[e]lye  in  your  correccioun.  664  1 

Out  of  the  French  I  drough  it  of  entent,  : 

Not  word  by  word  but  folowing  in  substaunce,  4 

And  from  Paris  to  Eng[e]land  it  sent,  ' 

Only  of  purpose  you  to  do  plesaunce.  668  1 

Rude  of  langage,  I  was  not  borne  in  France,  —  , 

Haue  me  excused,  my  name  is  lohn  Lidgate;* 

Of  ther  tong  I  haue  no  suffisance,  1 

Her  curious  miters  in  Englishe  to  translate.  672  j 

^  Here  endeth  the  Daunce'^of  Machabree. 

i 

654.  deface]  defame  T.  • 

655.  lyue  H  —  take]  take  thys  T.  , 

656.  shall]  should  T.  .  I 

657.  my  lordes  &  maisters]  maistres  and  folkes  H  —  fere]  ■ 
feare  T.  ' 

667  and  668  are  transposed  in  T.  I 

669  and  670  are  transposed  in  T.      669.   ther]  other  T.  -! 


/ 


PR 
2034 

F3 

1923 

pt.3 


Lydgate,  John 

Fall  of  princes 


I 


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