The wars of Alexander: an alliterative romance translated chiefly ...

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Introdttction,
CONTENTS.
§ 1. The three fraf^monts in alliterative verse of the Eomanco of
Alexander. § 2. Fragments A and B belong to the same version :
Eragment C is hero printed. § 3. Stevenson's edition of MS.
Ashmole 44. § 4. A gap in the story in that MS. ; supjilied
from the Dublin ^IS. § 5. Plan of the present edition. § G.
Numbering of the lines. § 7. Description of MS. Ashmole 44
discussion of the dialect. § 8. Description of the Dublin MS.
D. 4. 12 ;
part 1 : Piers the Plowman. § 9. Part 2 : Alexander,
and other contents. § 10. Dialect of the poem further discussed.
§ 11. Both MSS. printed in full; results of comparing them.
§ 12. Method adopted by the translator of the Latin text. § 13.
Conjectures as to the date and dialect of the present version.
The Glossarial Index
The Wars of Alexander.
Passus I. Introduction. Anectanabus, king of Egj^pt, is master
of astronomy and magic. Egypt is invaded by Artaxerxes. By
making ships of wax, Anectanabus discovers that his fleet is
being defeated. He disguises himself, and flees to Macedonia.
The god Serapis prophesies the future defeat of the Persians.
The Egyptians raise to Anectanabus an image of black stone ... 1
Passus II. During the absence of Philip, Anectanabus visits queen
Olympias, and tolls her that the god Ammon will appear to her
in a dream. Anectanabus visits Olympias by night in the form
of a dragon. He causes Philip to see in a dream his queen
embraced by Ammon. A seer tells Philip that the queen's child
will conquer the world. He returns to Macedon, where Anectanabus
appears in a dragon's form at a feast. Omen of the bird
who laid an egg in Philip's lap ... ... ... ... ... 7
Passus III. Prodigies at the birth of Alexander. His appearance
described. His youth, how passed. Anectanabus predicts his
own death at the hands of his own son. The prediction is
accomplished when Alexander causes his death by drowning.
Olympias mourns over the fate of Anectanabus ... ... ... 17
Passus IV. A wild carnivorous horse is brought to Philip.
Alexander tames him, and sets out on his first expedition against
Nicholas, king of Peloponnesus. Nicholas insults Alexander,
who slays him, and returns home. Philip takes a second wife,
named Cleopatra. Alexander interferes, and Philip is reconciled
to Olympias ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 27
Passus V. Darius demands tribute from Philip, which Alexander
refuses. Pausanias rebels against Philip, and wounds him
mortally, Alexander appears, slays Pausanias, and buries Philip.
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