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

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50 THE OLD KNIGHTS WISH TO STAY AT HOME. [AshlllOle.
Whoever wanta
arms, let him
take them."
AH the old
knights reply,
saying.
And quilk of aH myne athiH men
• pat any armes
wantzV,
99G
Lat pas in-to my palais & • plates him delyuire,
And he^ at of his awen has harnas him swythe,
•
And make him boune ilka berne • to bataiH to ride."
))an answard him -with [a] voice • aH his proucJ princes,
And Erles in his Empire • ])at ware in eld striken, 1001
Hathils of hi3e age • Auncient kni3tis.
Barons & bachelers & bryssid ware in Armes • :
" Sire, we hafe fame to ))e fi3t & •
bene in fild preued
Wit7i ser Ph[z7ip] 30 wr fadire mony • fele wynter, 1005
" Our strength
fails us.
And now vs faQis aH oure force & oure • flesch waykis ;
For be fe floure neuer sa fresche • it fadis at pe last.
Our heads cannot
bear the helmet.
We beseech you
to let us go.
Choose younger
Nay,-
lys the kin,
I want old men.
Sire, aH J)e 3eris of oure 3outhe • es 3are syne passid.
And we for-trauailid & terid • jiat now oure topp haris,
Al to heuy to be hildid • in any here wedis, 1010
Or any angwische of armes any mare *
suffire.
For-fi, lord, wit/i 3oure leue • we lawe 30W be-sechis
We may no3t stand now in stede • oure strenth is [to]
febiH.
Wale 30W ojjer werriouris • fat wi3t ere & 3onger,
Slike as ere stife in a stoure • strakis to thole."
" Xay, be my croune," qiiod J)e king • " my couatyng is
elder 1016
•
J3e sadnes of slike men fan swyftnes of childiV ;
For barnes in far bignes • it baldis f am mekiH,
vho are waiy."
All praise his
choice.
[Fol.
Oft with vnprouednes in presse • to pas out of lyfe ;
•
For-thi ouer-si3t of aide men I anely me chese ; 1020
Be connynge & be consaile • fai kyth ai jiar werkis."
Jje sle3t of hys^ sapience • fai selcuthely prayse.
And clene a-cordis to his carpe • 'kni^tis & othire.
H ]pen dose him furthe f is dere kyng • a litiH dais eft/-,
Alexa(ier with ane ost • of many athiH dukis, 1025
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Inserted at the end of the hue.
^ \>ar, altered to liys.