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

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134
^SCHTLUS SPEAKS AGAINST ALEXANDER.
[Ashmole.
I luve conqueied
all Europe.
All who resist
we destroy.
The Thebans
resisted in vain.
Send me ten
philosophers
I ask no more,
except that ye do
homage."
[Fol. 40 6.]
One ^schylus
recommends
them not to listen
to him.
One Demosthi
is next
consulted.
And ay •with-ont any arraes • \)ahn aH at anys golden,
AH Europe to myn enpire • enterely psiim geujn,
Enyn to ])e Occiane • oiit of aid' Eome. 2328
Qua fat vs rekinly resayues
•
na riddour fai tholid,
And all at otliire wais wro3t ' we wast Jsara for euire.
And now ira ])e marohe of Messedone • I meued opon late
Jjurje Jje anglis here of Afle • wit^ myne athiH dukis,
And so pe Thebies fani tijt • ]>e towi to defende, 2333
And I far pompe^ & faire pride • to poudire declinet.
To 30W now write I on jjis Avise • fat, wald je' me sencJ
Ten fyne Pliilisofo/-s3 • to fand with my wittes, 2336
^oure bulges ne 30/- bri3t bees bidd • I fan nothiro,
Bot at je knaw me for kyng & caH me • 30//- Ion.
For & 3e nyk now to myn empire • ^our nekis for^ to bowe,
)5an bos 30W bigger* to be • fen aH my bald princes,
Or laite anothire ladis-man * a-losed mare of ctrentR
)3an I my-selfe or my seggi's • be f
e seuent dele."
)3ire athils of Atenes • fzr augardf clerkis 2343
J)an reuerenst fai fe riche seele & • red ouer f e pistiH,
Syne kest vp a crie whh a kene voice at anys,
•
Sura in comending of his carpe • & on dene it spitid.
A Filisphire fan on first ' before fe folke risis,
Ane Eschilus in erde * & ernstly he spekis, 2348
\)e douth & aH dininowrs • be-dene he comaundis,
\)at fai suld corde be na cas • vn-to fe king*' hest6\
With fat aH samez on a sopp • semblis fe pupitt,
A doctozir, ane Domystyne • fai derely beseke 2352
To consaHe f ain als in f e cause & ken fam • f e best.
And he rekinly rase & •
rekyns fire wordis :
" I be-seke 30W now, my citi3ens . if fat 30 safe voiuhe,
Bot sobirly a sete quile my • sa3es for to here. 2356
Sirs, if 36 fele 30W so fers • his force to wtt/i-stand',
He recommends
the n to submit.
Aires agaynes him -with armes * admitts no3t his sa3e3.
And if ^ 3e fynde 36 be to faynt ' fulfiUis his wiH,
'
MS. ponpe. ' Added in the'margln.
' so is ivritfen above the line. * MS. bigg(.9.
^ MS. inserts fy, struck out.