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

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Dublin] THE CITT OP THEBES IS SET ON FIRE. 127
Sayd, " 3e of tebe er t-iVst • &
thethiest on erth,
Off aH pe seges vnder sun pat citesyns er called • ;
Most heyly ye be auancett & higlit in herf.^ 2200
•
^nd now so 3ope men as 36 • 3ates Hase stoken, [FoI. 1st.]
Me & my proudest^ of my princez • 30 do p-ofre were
And pat 36 so wiH, I-wys
•
wondre me thynke, 2203
For ))us wald neuer Jjat 30 wroglit • worschip of airnes.
It contrarys knyghthod • ye knawe wele yo/--seluen,
To anv wight wereorr • in walles hym to cloe.
For lie pat kyd is & kene & couates • hj'^m a name,
WiH fersly feglit in pe feld • liys fayraen ayayns." 2208
And alexander als belyfe aH vmbe pe • cyte,
Mase iiij M/l/ie^ to fonde with flanes & bowes,
•
Byddes fame to bend vp & brathly • witli arowez
To wound pe Avyes witJiin pat on pe wallez hoved. 2212
•
And two tliouusand be tale he tytely Co»mandez,
•
Of wele busked bernes in brenes & in • plates,
AH pe sydes of pe cite • Jjat sichus had bigged,
And amphion, pe atheH kemp anone • to distroye. 2216
And iiij Mille"^ he fonge • to f3Te pe iiij 3atcs,
•
Bot thre M/l/e^ of thra men to thraw witA engynez.
Hym-self with slengers & slyke • he somned^ a men3e,
To heyd & to help hys hynes • if any harme limpyd. 21:20
Now er is seges aH sett & pe saute neghed,
•
Were wakned be-twene werblet trompez
•
Our peple with pavyce • presen to withowf,
Halez vp hemp cordez • hurlett owt arows; 2224
Oper athells of* armes • alblastrez benden,
"Whirres owt qwarels • wappyd thrugh males.
Som with gunnez of" Jje grekys • gyrdyn vp stones,
To tene pe tebef folke • pat on pe toure tighten ; 2228
Som bradyn ourf pe barres * in blysnand wedes,
And faire fest on a fyre • aH pe foure 3ate3
'
Catchword—in hert; rvrongly.
' Read thousand, rvhich is intended by thi* contraction for
T.at, viille. ' Or soumed.