¶ This is the Royal city of Thebes.    

¶ Here beginneth the prologue of the Story of Thebes.  

THan bright phoebus passed 
Phoebus' in Aryete  was the Ram  
Mid of Aprell & in to the Bornwell le came  
And Satourne old. with 
Saturnus in Virgin  his frosty face  
In virgin. taken had his place  
Melencolyke. and sloth of mocyo●  
And was also. in thopposition  
Of Lucyna the moan. moist and pale 
Jupiter in capitecancri   
That many shower. fro heaven made avail  
when Aurora. was in the morrow red  
And Jupyter. in the Crabs head  
Hath take his palace. and his mansion  
The lusty tyme. and jolly fresh season  
when that Flora. the noble mighty queen  
The soil hath clad. in new tender green  
with her flowers. craftily meynte  
Branch & bough. with red & white depeynte  
Fle●yng the balm. on hills and on vales  
The time in sooth. when Canterbury tales  
Complete and told. at many sundry stage  
Of estates. in the pilgrimage  
everich man. like to his degree  
Some of desporte. some of morality  
Some of knighthood. love and gentilesse  
And some also. of perfit holiness  
And some also. in sooth of ribaldry  
To make laughter. in the company  
Each admitted. for none would other grieve  
Like as the Look. the miller and the Reve 
The Look miller & the Reve   
acquit himself. shortly to conclude  
boistously in her terms rude  
when they hadden. well drunken of the bowl  
And eke also. with his pilled noll.  
The Pardoner. beerdles all his chin 
Pardoner   
Glaly eyes. and face of Lherubyn  
Telling a tale. to anger with the Frere  
As openly. the story can you lere  
word by word. with every circumstance  
Echone I write. and put in remembrance  
By him that was. if I shall not feign 
Lhaw●er   
Flower of Poems. thorough out of all Bretayne  
which soothly had. most of excellence  
In rhetoric. and in eloquence  
Reed his making. who list the truth find  
which never shall. appallen in my mind  
But alway fresh. been in mine memory  
To whom be give. prise honour and glory  
Of well saying. first in our language  
Lhyfe regystrer. in this pilgrimage  
All that was ●olde. forgetting nought at all  
Feigned tales. nor thing historical  
with many proverbs. diverse and uncouth  
By rehearsal. of his sugared mouth  
Of each thing. keeping in substance  
The sentence hole. without variance  
Voiding the chaff. soothly for to say  
Enlumyning. the true piked grain  
By crafty writing. of his saws sweet  
From the tyme. that they died meet  
first the pilgrims. soothly everyone  
Atte the Tabard. assembled one by oon  
And fro Sothwerke. soothly for to say 
at the ●a bard in southwerke   
To Lanterbury. riding on her weigh  
Telling a tale. as I rehearse can  
lich as the host. assigned every man  
Noon so hardy. his bidding disobey 
The host   
And this while. that the pilgrims lay  
at Lanterbury. well logged one and all  
I not in sooth. what I may it call  
Hap or fortune. in conclusion  
That me befell. to enter in to the town  
The holy Saint plainly to visit  
After my sickness. vows to acquit  
In a Lope of black. and not of green 
The discri ve of the monk etc.   
On a palfrey. Sclender. long and leanly  
with Rusty bridle. made not for the Sale  
My man toforne. with a void male  
That of fortune. took mine in anon  
where the pilgrims. were logged everyone  
The same tyme. her governor the host  
Sconding in hall. full of wind and boost  
Lyche to a man. wonder stern and fers  
which spoke to me. and said anon dan pers 
The words of the host to the monk   
Dan domynyk. dan Godfray or Llement  
Ye be welcome. newly in to kent  
Though your bridle. have neither boos ne bell  
beseeching you. that ye will tell  
first of your name. and what country  
without more. shortly that ye be  
That look so pale. all devoid of blood  
Upon your heed. a wonder threadbare hood  
well arrayed. for to ride late  
I answered my name. was Lydgate 
Lydgate monk of bury   
Monk of bury. nigh thirty year of age  
Lome to this town. to do my pilgrimage  
As I have height. I have there of no shame  
Dan Johan qd he. well brook ye your name 
The words of the oft   
Though ye be sooll. byth' right glad and light  
praying you to sup. with us this night  
And ye shall have made. at your device  
A great podding. or a round hagys'  
A fraunche moyse. a tanse or a Froyse  
To been a monk. slender is your coyse  
ye have been sick. I dare mine heed assure  
Or let feed. in a faint pasture  
lift up your heed. be glad take no sorrow  
And ye should home ride. with us to morrow    

Pars prima ¶ Here beginneth the Story of the destruction of the Light of Thebes  

SIrs quoth I. sith of your courtesy  
I entered am. in to your company  
And admitted. a tale for to tell  
By him that hath. power to compelle  
I mean our Ost. governor & guide  
Of you eachone riding. here beside  
Though that my wit. barren be & dull  
I will rehearse. a story wounderfulle  
touching the Siege of destruction  
Of worthy Thebes. the mighty royal town  
Bylte and begun. of old antiquity  
Upon the tyme. of worthy Josue  
By diligence. of king Amphyon  
Lheef cause first. of his foundation  
For which his fame. which never shall away  
In honour flowereth. yet unto this day  
And in story remembered. is and praised  
But how the walls. were on height raised  
It is wonder. and marvel for to here  
But if ye list. I shall you platly lere  
The manner hole platly in sentence  
Under support. of your patience  
As write mine author. & Bochas both two  
Reed her books. and ye shall find it so  
everich conclude. lyche as his fantasy  
And thus full oft. gendered is envy  
In folks hearts. of soleynce and pride  
For such as list not. ones to look aside  
To reward 'em. when they low lou●e  
And again kind. it is out of doubt  
That any heed. by record of the wise 
How the pour people supporten & bearen up the state of a k●g   
Should the foot of disdain despise  
which beareth him up. who so can take heed  
And sustaineth. in his most need  
As his pillar. and his suppoayle  
For finally. ne were the porail  
Her bearer up. and supportation  
Far well lordship. and denomination  
thorough out the land. of every high estate  
wherefore me seemeth. more is fortunate  
Of Marcurye. the sweet sugared harp  
Than Mars sword. hearted keen and sharp  
More accepted. with aspects good  
Than is this god. with his looks wood 
Nota What the goodlihede of a prince availeth to wine the her ●is of his people   
For humble speech. with glad countenance  
May a prince. shortly advance  
Among his people. hearts for to win  
Of Inward love. which will not twine  
Than gold. richesse. pride or tyranny  
Other disdain. daungere or surquedy  
Or of lords. clerks can report  
But that love. her crown do support  
The fine is not. in conclusion 
Ensample of king amphyon   
I take record. of king Amphyon  
That bylte Thebes. by his eloquence  
More than of pride. or of violence  
Noble and rich. that like was nowhere none  
And thus the walls. made of lime and stone  
were raised first. by syngynges of this king  
Like as poets feign. in her writing  
But soothly yet. some expositors 
How after thopinion of some auctors God mus builded first the city of Thebes   
Grounding 'em. upon old auctors  
say that Cadmus. the famous old man  
Full long afore. the city first began  
And the ground. of building set  
And the bonds. by compass out met  
with thong out carve of a bolys side  
which environ. stretch might wide  
To get in land. a full large space 
How the country of boece took first his name of a bolyskyn & after called Thebes How king cadmus was exiled out of Thebes by the ꝓwesse of king Amphyon   
where upon to build. a dwelling place  
And called was. the soil thus gotten in  
whilom Boece. of the bolys skin  
The name after. in to Thebes turned  
But Cadmus. hath not there long sojourned  
Like in story. as it is compiled  
For shortly. he fro thence was exiled  
Never after. for to dwell in the town  
By the knighthood. of this Amphyon  
which up performeth. rich for the nonce  
The city Thebes. of mighty square stones  
As I you told. a light here tofore  
And Cadmus thus. his kingdom hath lost  
Sceptre and crown. and his power royal  
Now have I told. unto you ground of all  
That ye well know. by information  
clearly the pith. and th'exposition  
Of this matter. as clerks can you tell  
It were but vain. longer for to dwell  
To tarry you on this matter  
Sith my tale. which that ye shall here  
Upon our way. will last a long while  
The space in sooth. as I suppose of an mile  
And now ye know. first how Amphyon  
Bylte and began this city and this town  
Regning there. long after as I read  
Of him no more. for I will proceed 
How the ly ●e of aphy on by ducet was con●ey e● unto kage Layus   
To my purpose. that I first began  
Not telling here. how the line ran  
From king to king. by succession  
Conueyeng down. by the stoke of Amphyon  
seriously by line. all the dyscente  
But leave all this. plainly of intent  
To tell forth. in books as I read  
How Layus. by process 'gan succeed  
To bear the crown. in this mighty land  
Holding the sceptre. of Thebes in his hand 
king Layus & ●ocasta his wife   
Manly and wise. during all his life  
And Jocasta. called was his wife  
Full womanly. the story saith certain  
For a tyme. though she were barren  
Till layus. in full humble wise  
To have a child. died sacrifice  
first to Apollo. in his char so bright  
And Jubyter. that hath so great a might  
beseeching 'em. with devout reverence  
To grant only. through her influence  
That his request. executed may be  
And specially. to goddesses three  
He besought. Pallas and Juno  
And diane. for to help also  
That he be not defrauded. of his boon  
And his prayer accepted. was full soon  
That finally. thorough his rites old  
Even like. as his heart would  
The queen Jocasta. hath anon conceived  
which when the king. fully hath perceived  
He made in haste. him list not to abide  
thorough his kingdom. messengers ride  
From coost to cost. the story can devise  
For dyvyners. and philosophers wise  
For such as werne. famous physicians  
And well expert. Astronomyens  
To come in haste. unto his presence  
To find out. shortly in sentence  
By craft only. of calculation 
How the astronomyens & the philosophers of thebes calked out the faith of edippus   
The child's fate. and disposition  
And thereupon. to give a judgment  
The rote I take. at ascendent  
truly sought out. by minute and degree  
The self hour. of his natyvytee  
Not for yet. the heavenly mansions  
clearly searched. by small fractions  
first by seconds. teers. and eke quarts  
On angrym stones. and on white carts  
I proved out. by diligent labour  
In tables correct. devoid of all error  
Justly sought. and found out of both two  
The years collect. and expanse also  
considered eke. by good inspection  
Every hour. and constellation  
And each aspect. and look eke divers  
which were good. and which also perverse  
where they were toward. or at debate  
Happy welfull▪ or infortunate  
And finally. in conclusion 
Nota the cursed constella con & indis●osi con of heaven in the nat●●y te of edippus Nota How the face of edyppus disposed that he should slay his own father   
They found Saturn. in the scorpion  
heavy cheered. malencolyke and loath  
And wood Mars furious and wroth  
Holding his sceptre. in the Caprycorne  
The same hour. when this child was borne  
Venus direct. and contrarious  
And depressed in Marcuryus house  
That the doom. and judgment final  
Of these clerks. to speak in special  
By fatal sort. that may not be withdraw  
That with his sword. his father shall be slawe  
There may no man. help it nor excuse  
On which thing. the king 'gan sore muse  
And cast he would. on that other side  
Again her doom. for himself provide  
Shape away. and remedy toforn  
Bidding the queen. when the child were born  
without mercy. or moderly pity  
That he be deed. it may none other be  
And in all haste. like as he hath sent  
She obeyed. his commandment  
with woeful heart. and piteous look  
And face pale. her young son she took  
Tender and green. both of flesh and bones  
To certain men. ordained for the nonce  
from point to point. in all manner thing  
To execute. the bidding of the king  
They durst not. delay it nor abide  
But to a forest. that stood far beside  
They took her way. and fast 'gan 'em speed  
The kings will. to perform in deed  
Having thereof. passing heaviness  
But when that. they beheld the fairness  
Of the child. and excellent beauty  
In her heart. they had great pity  
And plainly cast. among hem was no strife  
That the child. should have his life  
And anon. full high upon a tree  
In a place. that no man might see  
They hinge him up. the story can rehearse  
But first his feet. thorough they 'gan to pierce  
And on bows tender. tough and small  
They knit him up this no tale  
Him to preserve. fro beasts wild and rage  
And after that. taken her viage  
Toward Thebes. in all the haste they may  
But of fortune. thylken same day  
with her hounds. searching up and down  
The hunters went. of king polybon  
Through the forest. game for to find  
Some aforne. and some come behind  
And 'gan search. and seek wonder sore  
Among the hills. and the holtes hoar  
And as the reenge. the trenches by and by 
how the hunters of king polybon fond the child in the forest & present him unto the king   
They hard a noise. and a piteous cry  
Of this child. hanging on this tree  
And all atrones. drowe it for to see  
And left not. till they have him found  
And took him down. and his feet unbound  
And bore him home. unto polybon  
Lring of Archadye. the famous region  
And when that he. first the child 'gan see  
Of his wounds. he had great pity  
To behold. his tender feet bleed  
And called him. Oedipus' as I read  
which is to say. platly this no phage  
Bored the feet. as in that language  
And first the king. in his royal hall  
Made his men. a nurse for to call  
This young child. to fuster and to keep  
with her milk. that he nought weep  
And his leches. he charged eke also  
Till he were hole. her devour for to do  
Fully in purpose. for the child was fair  
After his day. to make him his heir  
For cause only. who so taketh heed  
son had he none. by line to succeed  
And where that he had. a wife or none  
I find not. and therefore let it gone  
But by process. of days and of years  
This Oedipus'. among his playing feres  
was in his port. passing full of pride  
That none. with him might in peace abide  
I heart he. was so inly surquidous  
Malencolyke. and contrarious  
Full of despite. and high disdain  
That no wight durst. shortly him with say  
Till on a day. he 'gan with one debate  
To whom he had. specially great hate  
which of rancour. and of hasty tene  
As he that might. his pride not sustain  
'Gan upon him. truly abraid  
And unto him. felly thus he said  
whereto quoth he▪ art thou so proud of port  
Lontrarye ever also in our disport  
froward and fell. lasting ever moan  
As thou were lord. of us everichone  
And presumest. fully in working  
Like as thou were soon unto the king  
And descended. of his royal blood  
But where so be. thou be wroth or would  
Thou art nothing. and thou list take heed  
Appertaining. unto his kindred  
But in a forest. founden and vnknowe  
when thou were young. the▪ fore bear the low  
And utterly. remember if the list  
Thy birth and blood. are both two unwyste  
This is the fine. shortly of my tale  
wherewith Oedipus'. 'gan to wax pale  
And change also. cheer and countenance  
And 'gan a point. in his remembrance  
word by word. and feigned right nought  
And felly to muse. in his own thought  
And cast he would. without more tarrying  
The truth inquire. of Polybon the king  
And when he saw. opportune space  
And the king. in syker place  
He him besought. lowly on his knee  
To his request. benignly to see  
And that he would. plainly and not spare  
Of his birth. the true truth declare  
And make him sure. of this thing anon  
If he were his verray son or none  
And Polybon. only of gentleness  
when he beheld. the great heaviness  
Of Oedipus'. and the woeful pain  
He 'gan dissimule. and in manner fain  
Like as he had be. verrely his heir  
But more and more. he falleth in despair  
And down on knees. eft again 'gan fall  
Him conjuring. by the goods all  
To tell truth. and no thing to hide  
affirming eke he would not abide  
Longer with him. but riden and inquire  
Till time he may. the verray sooth here  
In any part. of hap or of fortune  
And for that he. was so importune  
In his desire. the king without abode  
Leryously▪ told how it stood  
In a forest first. how he was found  
Upon a tree. by the feet I bound  
And how he cast. in conclusion  
To make him king. of that region  
After his day. shortly for to tell  
But Oedipus'. will no longer dwell  
But took leave. and in haste 'gan ride  
To a temple. fast there beside  
Of apollo. in story as it is told  
whose statu. stood in a char of gold  
On wheels four. burned bright and sheen  
And within. a spirit full unclean  
By fraud only. and false collusion  
And answer gave. to every question  
bringing the people. in full great error  
Such as to him. dieden false honour  
By rights used. in the old daws  
After custom. of paganymes laws  
And Oedipus'. with full humble cheer  
To Apollo. made his prayer  
beseeching him. on his knees bow  
By some sign. that he might know  
thorough evidence. shortly comprehendeth  
Of what kindred. he was descendeth  
And when Oedipus'. by great devotion  
finished hath. fully his orison  
He found anon. women invisible  
with a voice. dreadful and horrible  
Bade him in haste. taken his viage  
Toward Thebes. whereof his lineage  
He hearen shall. and be certified  
And on his way. anon he hath him hied  
By hasty Journaye. & so his horse constrained  
day by day. till he hath attained  
Unto a castle. Pylotes I called  
Rich and strong. and well about walled  
Adiacente. by sight of the country  
And perteynente. to Thebes the city  
Lring Layus. being there present  
For to hold. a manner tornement  
with his knights. young and curious  
And other folk. that were desirous  
To prove himself. shortly for to tell  
who by force. other might excel  
Or get a name. thorough his high prowess  
Each of 'em. died his business  
On horse back. and also eke on foot  
All be that some found all unsote  
Rather apply. of were than of peace  
where Oedipus'. put himself in press  
As he that was ay ready to debate  
enforcing him. to entren in at gate  
Maugre all tho. that him would let  
And in the press. of adventure how he met 
How oedipus' slough his sad a●● a castle   
Lring Layus. and cruelly him slow  
Though the story. writ not the manner how  
Ne no wight. can of all the company  
By no sign. verily espy  
By whose hand. that the king was slawe  
For Oedipus' in haste 'gan. him withdraw  
And kept him coy. of intention  
great was the noise. and the piteous sound  
In the castle. for slaughter of the king  
Dooll and complaint. sorrow and weeping  
But for they see. heaviness and thought  
Against death. 'vaileth little or nought  
They ordain. with Rites full royal  
For the feast. called funeral  
And like the custom. of the days old  
The cors they brent. in to ashes cold  
And in a vessel. round made as a ball  
They closed 'em. in gold and in metal  
And after that died her busy cure  
An Thebes. to make a sepulture  
And richly. him list no longer let  
The ashen died they. enclose and shut  
Of this matter. there is no more to say  
But to Oedipus'. I will turn again  
which him enhasteth ay fro day to day  
tower Thebes. in all that ever he may  
Brenning in heart. hot as any fire  
The fine to know. of his fatal desire  
But for that he failed. of a guide  
Out of his way. he went far beside  
thorough a wyloe. and a waste country 
How edyppus went by the hill where the monster lay that called was spynx   
By a mountain that stood upon the see  
where that monsters. of many diverse kind  
were conversant. in story as I find  
Among which. soothly there was one  
So Inly cruel. that no man durst gone  
For dread of death. forth by that passage  
This monster. was so mortal in his rage 
The des●● con of that foul monster   
which had also. by description  
Body and feet. of a fierce lion  
And like a maid. in sooth was heed and face  
Fell of his his look. and cruel to menace  
And odious. of countenance and of sight  
And as I read. Spynx this monster hight  
worse than Tiger. Dragon or Serpent  
And I suppose. by enchantment  
He was ordained. on the hill to abide  
To slew all tho. that passeden beside  
And specially. all that died fail  
To expone. his misty divinal  
His problem eke. in words plain and bare  
without a miss. openly declare  
Or with the life. he might not escape  
This is berray sooth. platly and no Jape  
And if that he. by declaration  
Gaaf there upon. clear exposition  
He should in haste. there was none other mean  
Slay this monster. for all his cruel teane  
There may of mercy. be none other grant  
But for all this. Oedipus' ignorant  
This dreadful hill. standing on a Roche  
Or he was ware. full nigh 'gan approach  
More perilous platly. than he wend  
And suddenly the monster 'gan descend  
To stoppen his way. and let his passage  
Thus abraiding. with a fell courage  
I have in heart. Inly great disport  
That fortune hath brought the. to my sort  
To make a pressed. if thou mayst endure  
The fatal end of this adventure  
Set at a fine. soothly by days old  
And by and by. all the case him told  
Charging him. to be well aware and wise  
Get the palm. and bear away the prise  
touching this thing. set atween us tweys  
with life or death. which we shall dareyn  
And this monster. with a despitous cheer  
His problem. 'gan thus. as ye shall here  
There is a be'st. marvelous to see 
Of the problem that spynx put to oedipus'   
The which in sooth. at his natyvytee  
Is of his might. so tender and so green  
That he may not. himself sustain  
Upon his feet. though he had it sworn  
But if that he be. of his mother borne  
And afterward. by process of age  
On four feet. he maketh his passage  
After one. three. if I shall not fain  
And alderlaste. he gooth upright ontwayne  
diverse of port. and wonderful of cheres  
Till by length. of many sundry years  
Naturelly. he gooth again on three  
And sith on four. it may none other be  
And finally. this is the troth plain  
He returneth. kindly again  
To the matter. which that he came fro  
Loo here is. all my problem do  
Muse here upon. withouten were or stry●e  
It to declare. or else lose thy life  
And when Oedipus'. 'gan this thing advert  
well assured. in his manly heart  
'Gan in his wit. serchen up and down  
And of prudence. cast in his reason  
By great advice. what this thing may be  
seeing also. that he may not i'll  
And how there was. counsel none nor read  
But tell troth. or else to be deed  
And by full good delyberation  
Thus he answered. in conclusion  
Thou Spynx quoth he. falls and fraudulent  
Thou fowl monster. thou dragon thou serpent  
That in this hill. lyche as I conceive  
Lyeste in a white. folks to deceive  
But trust well. for all thy sleighty wit  
Thy false fraud. shall anon by quite  
Me list not now. whysper neither rowne  
But thy problem. anon I shall expone  
So openly. thou shalt not go there fro  
Loo thus it is. take good heed there to  
Thilk best. thou spoke of her before 
How edyppus exponed the ꝓbleme that spynx put to him   
Is every man. in this world borne  
which may not gone. his limbs be so soft  
But as his mother. beareth him a loft  
In her arms. when he doth cry or weep  
And after that. he gynneth for to creep  
On four feet. in his tender youth  
By experience. as it is oft couth  
afore I reckoned. his hands both two  
And by process. thou mayst consider also  
with his two feet. for all thy fell tene  
He hath a staff. himself to sustain  
And than he gooth. shortly upon three  
And alderlaste. as it must needs be  
Voiding his staff. he walketh upon twain  
Till it so be. thorough age he attain  
That lust of youth. wasted be and spent  
Than in his hand. he taketh a potent  
And on three feet. thus he gooth again  
And I dare affirm. thou mayst it not withsayne  
And soon after. thorough his unwieldy might  
By influence. of nature's right  
By experience. as every man may know  
Lyche a child. on four. he creepeth allow  
And for he may. here no while sojourn  
To earth again. he must in haste return  
which he come fro. he may it not renew  
For in this world. noman may eschew  
This verraye sooth. shortly and no doughte  
when the wheel of kind. cometh aboughte  
And naturally. hath his course run  
By circuit. as doth the sheen son  
That man and child. of high and low estate  
It gaineth not. to make more debate  
His time set. that he must fine  
when Antropos. of malice doth untwine  
His lives ●hred. by Cloto first componed  
Loo here thy problem. fully is exponed  
at our meeting. as I took on hand  
To the law. that thou must needs stand  
And in all haste. of mine hands die  
But of reason. thou can it ought with say  
And so this spynx. a wapyd and amate  
Stood dysamayed. and disconsolate  
with cheer done cast. muyte pale and deed  
And Oedipus'. anon smote of the heed  
Of this fiend. stinking and vnsw●te  
And the country. set holy in quiet  
whereby he hath. such a prise I won  
That his fame. is every cost yronne  
thorough all the land. that he the monster hath slawe  
And line right. to Thebes he 'gan draw  
well received. for his worthiness  
For his manhood. and his right prowess  
And for they see. he was a seemly knight  
well favoured. in every man's sight  
And saw also. Thebes the mighty town  
Not only they. but all the regyone  
werne destitute. of a governor  
Avens her soon. having no succour  
Hem to defend. but the queen alone  
Among himself. making full great moan  
For there was none. as books specify  
The sceptre or crown. for to occupy  
For which the lords. all by one assent▪  
within the town. set a parliament  
Shortly concluding. if it might been  
Prudently to treat. with the queen  
Namely they that. held himself most sage  
To condescend by way of marriage  
She to be Joined. to this manly knight  
Passing prudent. and famous eke of might  
most likely man. as they can dyscexne  
The worthy city. to keepen and govern  
And thorough counsel. of the lords all  
To her desire. plainly she is fall  
And corded. without more tarrying  
That of Thebes. Oedipus' shall be king  
By full assent. was none that said nay  
And time set. again a certain day  
Among himself. and fynaly devised  
The wedding was in Thebes solemnized  
Full rially. with needs most unthryne  
only for he is. mother took though wine  
un ●yst of both. he was of her blood  
And Ignorant. shortly how it stood  
That he tofore. had his father slawe  
For which this wedding. was again the law  
And tofore god. is neither fair ne good  
Nor acceptable. blood to touch blood  
which cause hath be. of great confusyon  
In many land. and many region  
Ground and rote. of unhap and meschaunce  
The fine concluding. alway in vengeance  
As men have seen. by clear experience  
And holy write. recordeth in sentence  
How herod's. falsely in his life  
Violence. took his brother's wife  
For she was fair. and pleasant to his sight  
And kept her still. by force thorough his might  
All be to her. title had he noon  
And for her sake. the holy man saint Johon  
For his truth. in prison lost his heed  
Therefore I read. every man take heed  
where so he be. prince lord or king  
That he be ware. to eschew such wedding  
Or that the sword. of vengeance of menace  
lest he lose hap. fortune and grace  
Taking ensample. in all manner thing  
Of Oedipus'. in Thebes crowned king  
All be that he wrought of ignorance  
Full dark and blind. of his woeful chance  
And if unwyste. he of Innocence  
As ye have herd. fill in such offence  
For which he was punished and brought low  
what are they worthy that her error know  
And fro the knot. list not to abstain  
Of such sponsayle. to god and man unclean  
I can not seen. no more thereof devise  
deemeth yourself. that prudent been & wise  
And Oedipus'. have among in mind  
Of whom the wedding. like as ye may find  
Unhappy was. and passing odious  
Infortuned. and ungracious  
I am weary. and thereof more to write  
The hatfull process. also to indite  
I pass over. fully of intent  
For Imynens. was not there present  
Nor Lucyna. list not thereto shine  
Ne there was none. of the musys nine  
Of our accord. for to make melody  
For they song not. by heavenly harmony  
Nother Clyo. nor Calyope  
One of the sistren. in number thrice three  
And they died. when Phylogye  
Ascended up high. above the sky  
To be wedded. this lady virtuous  
Unto her lord. the god Marcuryus  
As Marcyan I named. de Capelle  
In his book of wedding. can you tell  
There concluding. in this marriage  
The Poet. that whilom was so sage  
That this lady. called sapience  
I wedded was. unto Eloquence  
As it sat well. by heavenly purveyance  
Hem to be Joined. by knot of alliance  
But both two. soothly of intent  
Atte wedding. in Thebes were assent  
That caused after. great adversity  
For final end. of that solemnity  
was sorrow. and woe and destruction  
Uter ruin. of this royal town  
There may no man. help it ne succour  
For a time in joy. though they flower  
But at wedding. platly for to tell 
The infortunate follr that were at edippus wedding. Cerberus herebz Noye with her iii daughters dread fraud Treachery treason pounte indigence need death & cruel Mars   
was Cerberus chief porter of hell  
And herebus. father to hatred  
was there present. with his hole kindred  
His wife also. with her brows black  
And her daughter. sorrow for to make  
hideous cheered. and ugly for to see  
Megaera. and Thesyphonee  
Allecto eke. with labour and envy  
dread and Fraud. and false Treachery  
Treason poverty. indigence and Need  
And cruel death. in his rent weed  
wretchedness. complaint and eke rage's  
fearful pale. darkness crooked age  
Cruel Mars. as any tiger wood  
Brenning ire. of unkind blood  
Fraternal hate. deep set the rote  
Saaf only death. that there nas no boat  
Assured oaths. at fine untrue 
All these unthrifty people were at the wedding of Edyppus & Jocasta   
all these folk. were at this wedding new  
To make the town. desolate and bare  
As the story. after shall declare  
But ay in Thebes. with his walls strong  
Oedipus' regnyth. many day and long  
And as mine author write. in words plain  
By Jocasta. he had sons twain  
Ethyocles. and also Polymyte  
And in books. as sundry clerks write  
Daughters two. full goodly on to see  
Of the which. one hight Antygonce  
And that other. called was I main  
Off her beauty. inly sovereign  
Oedipus' ay devoid. of were and strife  
with Jocasta. lad a merry life  
Till fortune. or his iniquity  
Had envy. of his prosperity  
For when he shone. most rich in his renown  
From her wheel. she plunged him adoune  
Out of his Joy. in to sondayne woe  
As she is wont. frowardly to do  
And namely hem. that setten her affiance  
On earthly trust. in her variance  
For when this king. passing of great might  
Sat with the queen. upon a certain night  
casually when his folk eachone  
Out of his chamber. suddenly were gone  
Or he was ware. Jocasta 'gan behold  
The carectes of his wounds old  
Upon his feet. enprented wounds deep  
turning her face. braced out for to weep  
So secretly. he might it not aspye  
And she anon. fell in to a fantasy  
Ay on this thing. musing more and more  
And in her bed. 'gan to sigh sore  
And when the king. conceived her distress  
He 'gan inquire. of her heaviness  
Fully the cause. and occasion  
For he would wite. in conclusion  
what her aileth. and why she feared so  
My lord quoth she. without words more  
Parcelle cause. of this sudden rage  
Is for I in my tender age  
Had a lord. I named Layus  
Lring of this town. a man right virtuous  
By whom I had a son. wonder fair  
Likely to have been his. successor and heir  
But by cause. his diviners told  
at his birth. soothly that he should  
If he have life. by fatal destiny  
Slay his father. it might none other be  
For which the king. his face to eschew  
Bad me in haste. as him thought due  
To slay the child. and have thereof no ruth  
And I anon bad. without sloth  
To certain men. upon pain of judgment  
To excecute. the commandment  
Of the king. as I gave hem in charge  
And forth they gone. to a forest large  
Adiacente to this country  
Percen they his feet. and hanging on a tree  
Not performing. the execution  
On him they. had such compassion  
Left him there. and home resort again  
Being in doubt. and in none certain  
at her repair. as they told all  
Of this child. what afterward is befall  
Saaf they said. hunter's have him found  
which lad him forth. and his feet unbound  
But to what cost. they could not declare  
which parcel is of. mine evil fare  
Ground and cause. of mine heavy cheer  
Considered eke. the wounds that appear  
Upon your feet. and wot not what they mean  
And one thing is. ay at mine heart green  
My lord alas. but of new date  
Lring Layus. slain was but late  
at a castle. nigh by this country  
Upon your coming. in to this city  
all this I weighed. and reckoned in to one  
Making mine heart. heavy as any stone  
So that I can counsel. none ne read  
And with that word. the king lift up his heed  
And abarayed. with sharp sighs smart  
And all this thing. by order 'gan advert  
seriously. by good advisement  
And by signs. clear and evident  
conceiveth well. and sore 'gan repent  
It was himself. that Jocasta mente  
And when the queen. in manner saw him plain  
By her gods. she 'gan him to constrain  
To shown out. the cause of his affray  
And it expone. and make no delay  
Crop and rote. shortly why that he  
Entered first. in to that country  
From when he came. and fro what regyon  
But he her put in delusion  
As he had done it. for the nonce  
Till at last. he broke out atones  
Unto the queen. and 'gan a process make  
first how he was. in the forest take  
wounded the feet. and so forth every thing  
Of his searching. how Polybon the king  
And hole the cause. why he him forsook  
And in what wise. he the way took  
Toward Thebes. as Apollo bad  
And of fortune. how he was lad  
where that Spynx. kept the mountain  
And how that he slow▪ also in certain  
Lring Layus at castle gate  
Towards night. when it was full late  
And to Thebes. than he 'gan him speed  
To find out. the stock of his kindred  
which unto him. 'gan wax couth  
For by process. of his green youth  
He found out well. by reckoning of his life  
That she was both. his mother and his wife  
So that all night. and suing on the morrow  
at twene hem two. 'gan a new sorrow  
which unto me. were tedious to tell  
For thereupon. if I should dwell  
A long space. it would occupy 
Tragedia senecede Edyppo rege thebax   
But ye may readen. in a Tragedy  
Of moral Senek. and fully his ending  
His dooll. his mischief and his complaining  
How with sorrow. and unwieldy age  
This Oedipus'. fill in to dotage  
Lost his wit. and his worldly delight  
And how his sons. had him in despite  
And of disdain. took of him no keep  
And books say. his eyen out he wept  
And as mine author. liketh to devise  
As his sons. rebuke him and despise  
Upon a day. in a certain place  
Out of his heed. his eyen he 'gan out race  
And cast at 'em. he 'gan none other boat  
And of malice. they tradde 'em under foot  
Fully devoid. both of love and dread  
And when Edyppus. for mischief was thus deed  
within a pit. made in the earth low  
Of cruelty. his sons have him throw  
were than serpent. or any tiger wood  
Of cursed stock. cometh unkind blood  
As in story. ye may readen hear tofore  
All by the Rose. grow out of a thorn  
Thus of Oedipus'. when he was blind & old  
The wretched end. I have yond plainly told  
For which shortly. to man and child I read  
To be well aware. and take heed 
Nota How every man ought of duty to do reverence to father & mother. or else the wilful vengeance thereof   
Of kindly right. and conscience  
To do honour. and due Reverence  
To father and mother. of what estate they be  
Or certainly else. they should never thee  
For who that is. not to hem debonair  
In speech in port. for to treat 'em fair  
Hempskirk to obey. in honest and dread  
And to cherish. of what they had need  
I dare affirm. excepting none estate  
That he shall first. be infortunate  
In all his work. both in see and land  
And of what thing. he taketh on hand  
Fortune froward. and to him contrary  
waste of his good. plainly and appayre  
find plenty. of contek war and strife  
Unhappy end. and shortyenes of life  
And graceless of. what he hath to do  
Hatrede of god. and of man also  
Therefore no man. be here of reckless  
But make your mirror. of Ethyocles  
And his brother. called Polymyte  
which in such thing. greatly weve to wite  
As ye shall here. of hem how it fill  
And when we be descended down this hill  
And I passed here. the low vale  
I shall begin. the remnant of my tale   
¶ Explicit prima pars istius Codicilli.   

¶ Inmediate sequitur secunda pars eiusdem.  

passed the thorpe. of boughton on the blee  
By my children. I 'gan anon to see  
Through the son. that full clear 'gan shine  
Of the clock. that it drowe to nine  
And saw also. the silver drops sheen  
Of the dew. lyche pearls on the green  
Vapoured up. in to the air a loft  
when zepherus. with his blowing soft  
The weather made lusty. smooth and fair  
And right attempered. was the wholesome air  
The same hour. all the hole rout  
Of the pilgrims. riding Round about  
In my tale. when I 'gan proceed  
rehearsing forth. as it was in deed  
when Oedipus'. buried was and grave  
How his sons. the kingdom for to have  
Among himself. by full of mortal hate  
For the crown. gone to debate  
which of 'em. justly shall succeed  
And the sceptre. of the town possede  
Aduerting not. neither too right ne wrong  
But each of 'em. to make her party strong  
And his quarrel. proudly to sustain  
From whose hearts. was devoided clean  
Of bretherhode. the faithful alliance  
False covetise. so made 'em at distance  
Fully working. in to destruction  
And ruin of this noble town  
So hot brent. the hatred envy  
of both two. thorough pompous surquedy  
That neither would. plainly in a point  
Other forborn. they stood in such desjointe  
How as they had. of birth be foreigns  
Till of the town. the noble Cytezeyns'  
Lmyghtes barons. with many worthy lord  
Shaped away to make 'em of accord  
And to set 'em. in quiet and in pes  
But for his part. this Ethyocles  
Allege 'gan. that he was first borne  
For which of reason. he ought go tofore  
In the city. to be crowned king 
The contravercy of the two brethren   
Sith by law. there was no letting  
For unto him. longeth the herysage  
By descend. and by title of age  
But Polymyte. of full high disdain  
All openly. 'gan reply again  
And for his part. said in special  
Reason was none. that he should have all  
Regalye. and domination  
And the lorshyppe. hole of the town  
And he right nought. out of the city  
Live in exile. and in poverty  
Full concluding. without fere or dread  
Rather than it suffer. he will be deed  
And thus alas. thorough her envious strife  
Atte end everich lost his life  
Atte great mischief. as ye shall after here  
But thilk tyme. the lords all I fear  
Full busily died. her diligence  
By great advice. of full high prudence  
To setten hem in quiet and in rest  
Counseyling 'em. plainly for the best  
To leave her strife. of wisdom and reason  
A condescend. to some conclusion  
which to both might. most avail  
That finally thorough. her governail  
The lords all. being tho present  
They have 'em brought. to be of one assent  
Of one heart. as brother unto brother  
everich of 'em. to regoens after other 
The convention of the two brethren   
year by year as it come about  
So that the town. shall absent him out  
Fully that year. and himself guye  
By his manhood. and his chivalry  
Haunt himself. in deeds martial  
while his brother. in his see royal  
Holdeth his sceptre. the city to govern  
And when the year. his course hath run yern  
And is come out. he shall have repair  
To regne in Thebes. like as lord and heir  
Thereto receive. fully his dignity  
while that the other. voideth the city  
patiently taking. his adventure  
Till he again. his honour may recure  
Thus entrechange. every year they shall  
That one ascendeth. that other hath a fall  
They must obey. of heart and take it weal  
Lyche as the turn. resorteth of the wheel  
For this was. hole the composition 
The words of the composition   
between the brethren. and convention  
Full knit up. by great advisement  
Therefore the gods. by oath of sacrament  
Never after to grudge. ne to vary  
But accomplysshen. shortly and not tarry  
Lyche as ye accord. enroled in the town  
from point to point. made mentioned  
But alder first. by reason of his age  
Ethyocles. had thadvantage  
To regne aforne. to were a crown  
Polymyte hasting him out of town  
During that year. it may none other be  
While his brother. sat in his royal see  
Full richly. upon fortunes wheel  
And road him forth. armed bright in steel  
This Polymyte. soothly as I read  
Himself alone. on a Royal stead  
Without guide. all the long day  
Being afeard. to keep the high way  
In his heart. having suspicion  
To his brother. of malice and treason  
Lest he pursued. through his false unkind blood  
To have him deed. for covetise of good  
That he alone. might have possessyone  
During his life. fully of the town  
For which in haste. having no fellow  
Polymyte aside 'gan him draw  
By a forest. Joining to the see  
Linowing right nought. the sight of the country  
Full of hills. and of high mountains  
Craggy roches. and but few plains  
Wonder dreadful. and loathsome of passage  
And therewith all. full of beasts rage  
Holding his way. of heart no thing light  
Mate and weary. till it drowe to night  
And all the day. beholding enuyrone  
He neither saw. castle tower ne town  
The which thing. grieved him full sore  
And suddenly. the see began to roar  
Wind and tempest. hideously to arise  
The rain down beat. in full grisly wise  
That man and best. thereof was adread  
And nigh for fere. 'gan to wax mad  
As it seemed. by the woeful sowns  
And Tigers Beres. Boars and Lions  
Which for refute. himself for to save  
everich in haste. drowe unto his cave  
But Polymyte. in this tempest huge  
Alas the while. he findeth no refuge  
Nor him to shronde. saw no where no succour  
Till it was passed. almost mydnyghte hour  
The cloud void. in heaven died appear  
A large space. that the stars clear  
So that this knight. out of a forest large 
How Poly mite came in to the land of Arge   
'Gan approach. to the land of Arge  
seeing a palace mighty of building  
Of which Adrastus. called was the king  
A manly man. rich and wonder sage  
And run was. somdele in to age  
Borne of the isle. that called is Clyson  
And whilom soon. of the king Chalon  
And for his wit. in story as is couth  
He chosen was. in his tender youth  
Of all Arge. to be crowned king  
chief of all grece. by record of writing  
Nor by dyscente. ne succession  
But all only. of free election  
Behold of Arge. the sceptre in his hand  
As most worthy. of all Greeks land  
Loved and dread. for wisdom and justice  
And as the story plainly can devise  
This worthy king. had daughters two  
Passing fair. and right good also  
It were to long. her beauty to describe  
And the eldest. called was Argyve 
Argyve dei phyle & Adrastus   
Deiphyle. I named the second  
And Adrastus. lyche as it is fond  
This worthy king. had soon none  
To succeed. after he be gone  
For which he was during. all his life  
Tryste in heart. and passing pensive  
But hole his trust. and his hope stood  
By alliance. of some worthy blood  
Brought in by mean. of his daughters twain  
That he shall be. relessed of his pain  
thorough recomfort. of some high marriage  
And soothly yet. full high in his courage  
He troubled was. by occasion 
The dream of adrastus of a boar & of a lion   
Of a sweven. and a vision  
showed to him. upon a certain night  
For as him thought. in his inward sight  
While he slept. by clear inspection  
A wild boar. and a fierce lion  
Possede shall. the beasts in her rage  
His daughters two. by bond of marriage  
In short tyme. within a certain day  
which brought his heart. in full great affray  
But thing in south. that destiny hath shaꝑe  
Here in this world. full hard it is tescape  
Eke marvelous. a man teschue his fate  
And Polymyte. of whom I spoke late  
With the tempest. beat and all bereyned  
By grace only. the city hath attained  
Where Adrastus. full stately of degree  
Thilk tyme. held his Royal see  
The trouble night. murk and full obscure  
Hath brought this knight. only by adventure  
Through the city. enclosed with a wall  
Unto the palace. chyffe and principal  
Where as the king. in his chamber aloft  
Say in his bed. and slept wonder soft  
Eke all his folk. had her chambers cake  
Like as fortune. peraunter had shape  
The self tyme. by cause it was so late  
And casually. no porter at gate  
As it had be right. for the nonce  
And in a porch. bylte of square stones  
Full mightily. enarched environ  
Where the domes. and the pleas of the town  
Were execute. and laws of the king  
And there this knight. without more tarrying  
weary and mate. fro his stead a light  
Hanging the rein. in all the haste he might  
Upon his arm. surer him to keep  
And laid him down. and 'gan anon to sleep  
As him seemed. that time for the best  
And while he lay. thus for to rest  
Of adventure. there come a knight riding  
The worthiest. in the world living  
courteous lowly. and right virtuous  
As saith my author. called Tydyus  
Eureus in arms. and manly in working  
Of his birth. soon unto the king  
Of Calydonye. a land of great renown  
And he alas. out of that region  
Exiled was. for he his brother slow  
As Scace of Thebes. write the manner how  
All be that he to him. no malice mente  
For on a day. as they on hounting went  
In a forest. for heart and for hind  
So as he stood. under a green lined  
And casually. let his arrow slip  
He slow his brother. called menalyppe  
Through mortal sort. his hand was beguiled  
For which he was. banished and exiled  
As the law. narrow set his charge  
And for this caas. he came first to Arge  
In to the porch. where Polymyte sleep  
Of adventure. or he took any keep  
The same night. hideously besaen  
with the tempest. of thunder wind and rain  
And fill also. annoy and great damage  
Through the forest. holding his passage  
As Polymyte. had done before  
In peril oft likely. to be lost  
with beasts rage. set on every side  
Till of grace. without any guide  
He road through Arge. the great mighty town  
strait to the palace. and the chief doungone  
Lyche as I told. where Polymyte lay  
And atte his coming. made a great afraye  
For he was blind. thorough darkness of the night  
And him to guide. he found no light  
when he came in. of pryket ne of torch  
Till he unwarly. entered the porch  
And would have taken there. his herbygage  
But Polymyte. start up in a rage  
suddenly awaked. as I read  
with the neighing. of his proud stead  
And first of all. when that he beheld  
A knight armed. upon his breast a shield  
And 'gan the manner. of his array advert  
Of verraye ire. upon his horse he start  
And cruelly. 'gan tiding inquire  
whennes he came. or what he died there  
And bad in haste. his answer to devise  
And Tydeus. in full humble wise  
Answered again. of verray gentleness  
And said in sooth. that of high distress  
Of the tempest. and the dark night  
He driven was. like an arrant knight  
Of need only. and of necessity  
And high constreynte. of his adversity  
Take lodging. where so that he might  
And in that court. therefore he a light  
without more. thinking none outrage  
Nor to no wight. meaning no damage  
Than Polymyte. of malice and high pride  
Told him shortly. he should not abide  
No longer there. though he had it sworn  
For I quoth he. took it up before  
And will it keep. during all this night  
I say the platly. maugre all thy might  
Quoth Tydeus. that is no courtesy  
Me to devoid. but rather villainy  
If ye take heed. that seem a gentle knight  
And I suppose. ye have no title of right  
To this lodging. by way of heritage  
More than have I. for all your fell rage  
And pard. yet shall it be no disease  
Till to morrow. that do me ease  
Of gentilesse. only by your leave  
To suffer me. it shall little grieve  
But ay the more. Tydeus spoke fair  
Polymyte. was froward and contrary  
And shortly said. it geyneth not to strive  
That of force. he shall devoid belive  
Or utterly between 'em both two  
This thing to try. he must have a do  
And Tydeus seeing no better mean  
Full like a knight. in steel armed clean  
without abode. fast gam him speed  
wonder lightly. for to take his stead  
And thus. these knights pompous and elate  
For little cause. fellen at debate  
And as they ran together on horse bake 
How Tydeus & Polymyte stro fe for her lodging   
everich on other. first her spear broke  
And after that. full surquydous of pride  
with sharp swords. they together ride  
Full yrously. these mighty champions  
In her fury. like Tigers or Lions  
As they hurtle. that all the palace shaken  
And king Adrastus. out of sleep work  
And made in haste. his chamberleyns call  
And through the court. his worthy knights all  
Commanding hem. to descend and see  
And report what it might be  
This wonder noise. in his court be night  
And when they saw. two strange knight fight  
In plates bright. and in thick mail  
without Juge. they had great marvel  
And dysamayed. of this uncouth thing  
As they found. told they to the king  
And Adrastus. for darkness of the night  
from his chamber. with many torches light  
In to the court. is descended down  
All his main. standing environ  
Of these knights. having full great wonder  
And of manhood. he put 'em first asounder  
Hempskirk commanding. like a gentle king  
To leave her stryte. and cesen of her fighting  
And entered in. with a knightly look  
And first from hem. her swords both he took  
affirming eke. as to his fantasy  
It was a rage. and a great folly  
So wilfully. her lives to in part  
without Juge. her quarrel to depart  
And specially. in the dark night  
when neither of other. might have a sight  
Charging 'em. on pain of her life  
To desure and stinten of of her strife  
And Tydeus. in all the haste he might  
Full humbly. fro his stead a light  
And right meekly. with cheer and countenance  
Put him hole in the governance  
Of Adrastus. in all manner thing  
And Polymyte. made eke no tarrying  
To a light also. and would it not withseye  
The kings bidding. lowly to obey  
So as him aught. with due reverence  
And as they stood. both in his presence  
He 'gan inquire. first of her estate  
The cause also. why they where at debate  
Of her countries soothly. and her age  
He asked eke. touching her lineage  
By dyscente of what. stok they were borne  
And Tydeus. his answer gave toforne  
Told plainly. made no losing  
How that he was. son to the king  
Of Calydonye. and rightful heir thereto  
And of thexyle. the sooth he told also  
As ye have herd. in the story radde  
And Polymyte. with cheer and face sad  
Unto the king. touching his country  
Said he was borne. in Thebes the city  
And Jocasta. the great famons queen  
His mother was. withouten any ween  
But of his father. whilom king and lord  
For verraye shame. he spoke not a word  
only for he. if I should not fain  
His father was. and brother both twain  
The which in south. he was full loath to tell  
And eke the king. would him not compelle  
Of gentilesse. but bad without blame  
Of his birth. for to have no shame  
For hole the caas. and manner every deal  
Touching his kin. the ground he knew full well  
Lyche as it was. by full clear report  
enforcing him. for to do comfort  
with all his might. and his busy pain  
This manly king. to these knights twain  
And to hem said. aforne him as they stood  
He wist well. that of worthy blood  
They were descended. touching her kindred  
And made his officers. in haste to lead  
The strange knights being at debate  
Through his palace. to chambers of estate  
Each by himself. for to take his ease  
And every thing in south that might hem please  
was offered 'em. lyche to her estates  
And when they weren. dysevered of her plates  
Cusshewes grenes. and her sabatous  
Her harness voided. and her habargous  
Twain mantles. unto hem were brought  
Fret with pearl. and rich stones wrought  
Of cloth of gold. and veluett cremesyne  
Full richly furred. with armyne  
To wrap 'em in. again the cold morrow  
After the rage. of her nights sorrow  
To take her rest. till the son arise  
And than the king. in full prudente wise  
first of all. was nothing reckless  
The knights hearts. to ●etten in peace  
That ever after. I dare aferme it well  
Each was to other. as true as any steel  
During her life. both in work and deed  
Under a knot. bounden of bretherhede  
And Adrastus. the worthy king famous  
A feast made. rich and plenteous  
To these knights. & himself there at present  
And after mete. full goodly he hath sent  
This noble king. for his daughters dear  
Of gentilesse. for to make 'em cheer  
To the knights. Icome fro so far  
And like in sooth. as lucifer the star  
Gladdeth the morrow. at his uprising  
So the ladies. at her incoming  
with the streams. of her eyen clear  
Goodly apport. and womanly manner  
countenance. and excellent fairness  
To all the court. broughten in gladness  
For the freshness. of her heavenly cheres  
So agreeable was. to the strangers  
Atte her entry. that in special  
Hempskirk thought it like. a thing celestial  
enhasting hem. in full knightly wise  
Against 'em. goodly to arise  
And as they met. with humble countenance  
Full cunningly. died her observance  
Him conveying to her sitting place  
But soothly. I have leisure none ne space  
To rehearse. and put in remembrance  
Hole the manner. of her dalliance  
I● were to long. for you to abide  
But well I wot. that the god cupid  
By influence. of his mighty hand  
And the fervence. of his fiery bronde  
Her meeting first. fortuned hath so well  
That his arrow. of gold and not of steel  
I pierced have the. knights hearts twain  
Through the breeste. with such a lusty pain  
That there abode. sharp as spear or lance  
Deep I fixed. the point of remembrance  
which may not lightly. razed been a way  
And thus in joy. they driven forth the way  
In play and revel. for the knights sake  
And towards night. they her chambers took  
at due tyme. as her father bad  
And on her way. the knights have 'em lad  
Reverently. up by many a steyre  
Taking leave. 'gan anon repair  
To her lodging. in a full stately tour  
Assigned to 'em. by the herberyoure  
And after spices. plainly and the wine  
In cups great. wrought of gold fine  
without tarrying. to bed strait they gone  
Touching her rest. where they slept or none  
deemeth ye lovers. that in such manner thing  
By experience. have fully knowledging  
For it is not. declared in my book  
But as I find. the king all night work  
Thought full in heart. the story specyfyes  
Musing sore. and full of fantasies  
first adverting. the great worthiness  
Of these knights. and the semlynesse  
Her lusty youth. her force and her manhood  
And how they weren comen. of Royal blood  
All this he 'gan to revolve about  
Ay in his heart. having a manner doubt  
between two. hanging in a balance  
whether he should maken alliance  
between his daughters. & the knights twain  
For one thing. ay his heart 'gan constrain  
The remembrance of his avision  
Of which. therefore I made mention  
Touching the lion. and the wild bore  
It needeth not. to rehearse it more  
Casting alway. in his fantasy  
what it might. clearly signify  
This dark dream. this was hid and close  
But on the morrow. Adrastus up arose  
And to the temple. the right way he took  
And 'gan pray devoutly on his book  
To the gods. his dream to specify  
And they him bad. homeward for to high  
And to behold. in the knights sheldes  
The fell beasts. painted of the fields  
which shall to him. by clear inspection  
Full plainly. make declaration  
Of his dream. that he had in the night  
And Adrastus. enhasted him full right  
In her sheldes. hanging upon hokes  
The beasts rage. with her mortal hokes  
And to purpose. like as write Bochas'  
Polymyte. full straight embraced was  
In the hide of a fierce lion  
And Tydeus. above his haberyon  
Agypon had. ●●dous sharp and door  
wrought of the bristles. of a wild bore  
The which beasts. as the story leres  
were wrought and beat. upon her banners  
Dysplayed broad. when they should fight  
whereof the king. when he had a sight  
at his repair. in heart was full glad  
with a face full demure and sad  
with his lords. that he about him had  
To the temple. he these knights lad  
And when they had. with all circumstances  
Of rites old. done her observances  
Home to the court. they resort again  
And in a hall. rich and well besayn  
This worthy king. of heart liberal  
Made a feast. solemn and Royal  
which in daints. surely died excel  
But it were veyn. every course to tell  
Her strange sews. and her sotyltees  
Ne how they. sat like to her degrees  
Fer lak of tyme. I let it overslyde  
And after mete. Adrastus took aside▪  
The knights two. and like a prudent man  
In secret wise. thus his tale he 'gan  
SIrs quoth he. I doughte it nought 
Verba Regis Adrastus ad Polimitem et Tydeun   
That it is fresh. & green ay in your thought  
How that first. by goods ordinance  
And after next. through fate's purveyance  
And by working. of fortune's hand  
How that ye werne. first brought in to this land  
Both twain. but now this last night  
Of wos coming. I am full glad & light  
first in myself. shortly to express  
when I consider. and see the likeliness  
Of your persons. with the circumstances  
And hole the manner. of your governances  
Seeing full well. whereto should I fain  
ye likely be. here after to attain  
The great estate. of abundance of good  
Through your birth. and your Royal blood  
ye may not fail. but ye have wrong  
For ye are both manly. and right strong  
And for to set. your hearts at more rest  
My purpose is. I hope for the best  
So that in you. be no variance  
To make a knot. and by alliance  
A twixe you and my daughters two  
if your hearts. accorden will thereto  
And for. I am fully in despair  
To succeed. for to have an heir  
Therefore ye shall have. possession  
During my life. of half this region  
Forth with in hand. and hole after my day  
There is noman. that thereto shall say nay  
And soothly after. when I am grave  
Each of you. shall his part have  
Of this kingdom. as I have provided  
This to seen. it shall be divided  
between you two. everich to be crowned  
your purpartyes. by equity componed  
So equally. in every man's sight  
That each of you. rejoice shall his right  
And by your wit. ye shall the land amend  
And of manhood. knightly it defend  
Again our enemies. and our mortal soon  
And for the days. passed been and gone  
Of my desires. and my lusty youth  
I am full set. for to make couth  
That ye should have. like mine opinion  
The governance of this region  
To this intent. me seemeth for the best  
ye to govern. and I to live in rest  
Fully to fulfil. the lust of my pleysurs  
Hunt and hawk. in woods and rivers  
when so ever. thereto I shall have pleasance  
And for to have. none other attendance  
Unto nothing. but unto mine ease  
For which shortly. if it agree and please  
That I have said. to you that been so wise  
And been according. unto your advice  
Delayeth not. but in words plain  
what you seemeth. give answer again  
ANd when Adrastus. had his tale fined 
Responsia a Polimite et tideo ad Regem Adrastu   
Tydeus with heed. full low inclined  
As he that was. a very gentle knight  
with all his power. and his full might  
Full humbly. thanked the king  
touching his proffer. of so high a thing  
And for his part. said he would assent  
Fully of heart. never to repent  
To all that ever. the king hath said  
And Polymyte. was also well apaid  
In the story. as it is comprehended  
And so they be both. condescended  
The kings will. to fulfil in deed  
from point to point. and thereupon proceed  
where so ever. that they win or lose  
And Tydeus made. his brother cheese  
Of gentilesse. and of courtesy  
which was most. to his fantasy  
Of the sistren. for to have to wife  
And he in south. chosen had Argyve  
That eldest was. full womanly to see  
And T●deus. took than Deyphyle  
Of her beauty. most sovereign excellent  
And Adrastus. through out his land hath sent  
For his lords. and his baronage  
To be present. at marriage  
Of the knights. and make no letting  
And they eachone. come at his bidding  
In goodly wise. meek and full benign  
Again the day. that he died assign  
And thither come. full many lusty knight  
Full well beseen. and many lady bright  
From every cost. and many fresh squire  
The story it saith. and many comynere  
To behold. the great Royalte  
And the manner. of this solemnity  
But to tell. all the circumstances  
Of Justes. revel. and of diverse dances  
The feasts rich. and the gifts great  
The prive sighs. and the fervent heat  
Of loves folk. brenning as the gleed  
And devices. of many sundry weed  
The touches stole. and the amorous looks  
By stoyll craft. laid down line and hooks  
The Jealous folk. to trayssen and beguile  
In their a wait. with many sundry wile  
All this in south. descriven I ne can  
But well I wot. the new fame ran  
This mean while. with full swift passage  
Unto Thebes. of this marriage  
And by report true. and not I feigned  
The sown thereof. the ears hath attained  
Mine author write. of Ethyocles  
Touching the honour. and the great increases  
Of Polymyte. highly magnified  
And how that he. newly was allied  
with Adrastus. in the land of Arge  
The which thing. greatly he 'gan to charge  
Dreading inly. that this marriage  
Shall after turn. in to his damage  
Sore musing. and casting up and down  
The great power. and the high renown  
Of Adrastus. the which of Greeks land  
Had all the power. sudgett to his hand  
lest that he for Polymyte sake  
would upon him. a new were make  
But if that he. like to the convention  
at the time set. delivered the town  
To his brother. by bond of both I sworn  
By covenants. assured here before  
If ye remember. late as I you told  
which he was not. in purpose for to hold  
But from his hest. casted for to ●arye  
And thereupon list no longer to tarry  
Lyche his desire. to shape remedies  
And first he sent. for his next allies  
In whom he had. most affiance  
For his lords. that had governance  
Of his kingdom. to come to him anon  
And when they were present everichone  
He said plainly. weening for the best  
That his heart. shall never lain in rest  
But in sorrow. and in a manner dread  
Till his brother. utterly be deed  
That he in Thebes. in his Royal seat  
Might alone. regne in quiet  
He meant himself. shortly and none other  
Unperturbed. of Polymyte his brother  
And at this counsel. dyucrse of intent  
I find writ three folks were present  
Some in sooth. that faithful were and true  
And some also. that changen can of new  
And other eke. that between twain  
Covertly could under colour fain  
THe first said. above all thing 
The commendation of troth   
Troth should long to a king  
Of his word. not be variable  
But plain and hole. as a country stable  
For troth first. without any ween  
Is chief pillar. that many a king sustain  
In joy and honour. for to lead his life 
Nota How truth is preferred ●v the book of esdre aforne kings women & wine   
For troth whilom had a prerogative  
As of Esdre. the book can specify  
Record I take. of prudent Neemye  
That worthy king. for all her great pride  
with all her power. and domination  
Having reward. in comparison  
The truths might. truths worthiness  
For as Esdre. plainly doth express  
who taketh heed. in the same place  
The influence soothly. and the grace  
Of troth alone. this old Neemye  
Gate him licence to redefye  
The walls new. of Jherusalem 
Solomon Troth & mercy preseruen a king fro all adversity Chaungene doublinesse should not be in a king   
which troth is. treasure. chief of every realm  
For Solomon writ. how that things tweyn  
Troth and mercy. linked in a cheyn  
Preserve a king. like to his degree  
From all mischief. and adversytee  
Alas therefore. that any doubleness  
variance. or unsykernesse  
Change of word. or mutabylytee  
Fraud or deceit. other instabylyte  
Should in a king. have domination  
To causen after. his destruction  
Of kings read the story done by row  
And seen how many. have been overthrow  
Through her falsehood. fro fortunes wheel  
For unto god. it pleaseth never a deal  
A king to be double of intent  
For it may hap. that the world is blent  
Full oft sith by sleyth of her working  
But this is the troth. god seeth every thing  
Right as it is. for there may be no cloud  
Toforne his sight. troth for to shroud  
It may be eclipsed. and darked by dyscente  
By false engine lying in a wait  
As a serpent. for to undermine  
But at last. it will clearly shine  
who that saith nay. she we his bright beams  
For it is in sooth. of kingdoms & of reams  
Is berer up. and conseruatryce  
From all mischief. and southfaste medyatryce  
To god above. who so list to see  
To keep a king. in prosperytee  
On every side. as I affermely dare  
For which kings. and lords be well aware  
your behests. Justly for to hold  
And think how Thebes. with his wall old  
Destroyed was. platly this no less  
For the doubleness. of Ethyocles  
which his people. after sore about  
Donly for he not by counsel wrought  
Of 'em that were. both true and wise  
Him list not work. after her devise  
But left troth. and set his fantasy  
To be governed. by false flattery  
That had him think. how he was a knight  
And to shield of force. more than of right  
During his life. lordship of the town  
And not for to lose. his possession  
For no bond. ne hests made aforne  
But late his brother. blown in a horn  
where that him list. or pypen in a reed  
This was the counsel. platly and the rede  
Of such that list not. to say the south  
But falsely flatter. with her words smooth  
And when they had. hole her tale feigned  
Ethyocles. fully was inclined  
who so ever there at. laugh or weep  
Like her counsel. pessessyon to keep  
who that say nay. or grudge there again  
Him to contrary. he thought it was but vain  
But in this while. hath the sheen son 
How the year was comen out that Ethyocles reigned in Thebes   
The. xii. signs. round about run  
Sith Ethyocle. by Just reckoning  
In Thebes was crowned lord and king  
Holding the sceptre. and the diadem  
That by reason. as would seem  
The time was full complete and the space  
Of covenant. he should void his place  
And Polymyte eke. his Journey make  
Toward Thebes. possession to take  
Of due title. but if he had wrong  
which thought in sooth▪ the year was wound long  
Of his exile. or it come about  
And for he had in heart. a manner doubt  
lest in his brother. there were falsehood fond  
To acquit himself. like as he was bond  
To Adrastus. he 'gan declare his heart  
beseeching him. this matter to advert  
And thereupon. to give his counsel soon  
Touching his right. what was best to done  
where it was. best to gone or to abide  
Or like a knight. manfully to ride  
Himself alone. and make no message  
For the chalange. of his rightful heritage  
within Thebes. either by peace or strife  
And thereupon. to yeoparde his life  
Thus was he set. for all his fers brother  
But Adrastus soothly. thought a nother  
Better was to send. than himself to gone  
lest he were trapped. among his mortal soon  
Having his brother. suspect in the case  
That by fraud. or by some falase  
He would work. to his destruction  
If he were hardy. to entren in to the town  
For which he bad him. prudently take heed  
Full concluding. how it was more speed  
That some other. be to Thebes sent  
To apperceive. fully the intent  
Of Ethyocle. outward by some sign  
And where that he his crown will resign  
For tylke year. like as he made his oath  
And when he knew. how his purpose goth  
Thereupon to work and proceed  
Thus Adrastus. wisely 'gan him read  
And while they treat. upon this matter 
Tydeus took upon him to do the message of his brother Polymyte   
Tydeus with a manly cheer  
Said utterly. for his brother's sake  
This message. he would undertake  
with hole tempryse. of the embassyate  
were it wilful. or infortunate  
He will not spare. what so that bytyde  
But Adrastus. on that other side  
And Polymyte. in conclusion  
weren contrary. to that opinion  
And said soothly. as hem thought right  
Sith that he was. so well approved knight  
And descended. of so worthy blood  
That they nolde. for none earthly good  
For all Thebes. with the rygalye  
Put his body. in such yeopardye  
BUt all this thing. availed hem right nouzt  
For he would forth. how dear that it be bought  
Taking leave. first of all the states  
And armed him. in mail and sure plates  
And shope him forth. upon his Journey  
who made sorrow. but Deyphyle 
The sorrow of Deyphyle when tydeus went unto Thebes   
with bitter tears. dewed all her face  
Full oft sith. swooning in the place  
Tryste and morning. in her black weed  
when she saw. that he took his stead  
So inwardly. 'gan increase her moan  
Seeing her lord. so ride forth alone  
Upon his way. this worthy Tydeus  
And in all haste. the story telleth us  
He speed him so. making no delays  
That in space. of a few days  
The high towers of Thebes he 'gan see  
And entered is in to the Lytee  
wisely enquering. where the palace stood  
And like a knight. thither strait he road  
Marked full well. in many man's sight  
Lyche Mars himself. in steel armed bright  
Till he attained hath. the chief dongyon  
where as the king. held his mansion  
And through the palace with a knightly look  
In to the hall. the right way he took  
From his stead. when he light down  
Not afeard. but hardy as a lion  
where as the king. with lords a great rout  
In the hall. sitting round about  
He entered in most manful of courage  
To execute. the fine of this message  
And as him thought. convenyente and due  
Full cunningly. he 'gan the king salve  
requiring him of kingly excellence  
In goodly wise. to give him audience  
And not disdain. neither in port ne cheer  
Sith he was. come as a messenger  
From Polymyte. his own brother dear  
ginning his tale thus. as ye shall here  
QVod he unto your worthiness 
How wisely & how knightly tydeus died his message   
My purpose is. bryfly to express  
Th'effect only as in sentiment  
Of the message. why that I am sent  
It were in vain. long process for to make  
But of my matter. the verraye ground to take  
In eschewing. of prolixyte  
And void away. all superfluity  
Sith yourself. best ought to understand  
The cause fully. that we have on hand  
And eke conceive. th'intent of my meaning  
Of rightwiseness. longing to a king  
first considered. if that ye take heed  
when Oedipus'. the old king was deed  
How yourself. and your brother belive  
For the crown. contagyously 'gan strive  
As mortal soon. by full great hatred  
which of you two. first should succeed  
Till that ye weren. by means recouncyled  
The to regne. and he to be exiled  
Out of this town. for a years space  
And than again. resort to his place  
To regne as king. and ye to void out  
So as your turn. by process come about  
everich of you. patiently to endure  
The enterchaunging. of his adventure  
who were put out. or stood in his estate  
Thereupon to make no debate  
Lyche the convenant. and convention  
Enrolled up. by lords of this town  
which of reason may. not be denied  
And sith ye have. a year I occupied  
Polymyte. requireth you of right 
The request that tydeus made in the name of polimyte under the title of the convencyon   
To acquit you. lyche a true knight  
In eschewing. of mortal were and stryte  
Sith ye have had. a prorogatyfe  
As eldest brother. for to regne afore  
And thynheth eke. how that ye are sworn  
your oath to keep. and make no tarrying  
Hole adverting. like a prudent king  
That troth is more in comparison  
Than all the treasure. of your region  
More acceptable. both to god and man  
Than all riches. that ye reckon can  
wherefore in haste. and let there be no sloth  
Ouyteth yourself. Justly of your truth  
Unto your brother. avoiding this city  
And let him regne. in his royalty  
The crown of Thebes. a year to occupy  
Than will all Grece. praise and magnify  
your high renown. and may say none other  
But ye have you. Justly to your brother  
This is hole theffect. of all that I will say  
Answer expectante. what ye list send again  
When Tydeus had told his tale  
Ethyocles. tryste and wonder pale  
His conreyte first. in manner had refrained  
Dyssymeling. under colour feigned  
Showing a cheer. in manner debonair  
To his intent. wounderly contrary  
Inward in heart. wood and furious  
turning his face. toward Tydeus  
But he 'gan abraid. and atte last outbrake  
And even thus. to him he spoke 
I have great marvel qd tydeus The answer of ethyo cles   
I have great marvel. quoth he in my thought  
Of the message. which thou hast I brought  
That my brother. as thou haste exponed  
Desireth so in Thebes. to be crowned  
Having reward. to the abundance  
The great plenty. and the suffisance  
That he hath now. with the king of Arge  
That me seemeth. that he should little charge  
To have lordship. or domination  
In the bonds. of this little town  
Sith he reigneth. so freshly in his flowers  
Surmounting. all his predecessors  
By new increase. thorough fortunes might  
whereof in heart. I am right glad and light  
Full trusting. if I had need  
To his help. that without dread  
Like a brother. than I should him find  
To mewarde. faithfully true and kind  
Supposing. plainly evermore  
Of this regne. he set but little store  
Nor cast him not. for so short a while  
As for a year. his brother to exile  
To live in poverty. and great distress  
He will not suffer it of his great noblesse  
It were no token of no brotherhood  
But a sign rather of hatred  
To interrupt. of my possession  
Of this little poor region  
All that he spoke. who that could advert  
Of verray scorn. rooted in his heart  
As it seemeth. the story can you teach  
By the surplus. soothly of his speech  
He might not. him no longer refrain  
But platly said. as twain us twain  
I mean thus Polymyte and me  
There is no bond. neither surety  
Nor faith I made. that may him avail  
As he claimeth. to have the governail  
Of this Lytee. neither year ne day  
For I shall let him soothly if I may  
That he shall not. by title of no bond  
Rejoice in Thebes. half a foot of land  
let him keep. all that he hath won  
For I purpose. as I have begun  
To regne in Thebes. henceforth all my life  
Maugre all hem that there again strife  
And in despite. of his friends all  
Or the counsel. that him list call  
let him be sure. and know this right well  
His menacing. I dread never a deal  
And sickerly. as to mine advice  
It showeth well. that thou were not wise  
But supprysing. with a manner rage  
To take on the. this surquydous message  
And presume. to done so high offence  
So boldly to speak in my presence  
But all I fere. avail shall right nought  
For the tidings. that thou, hast brought  
Shall unto him. be but dysencrees  
He better were. to haven in peace  
Than of folly. and presumption  
Against me. to seek occasion  
For while I leave. and thereto here mine hand  
As I said erst. he winneth here no land  
For finally. I do the to understand  
while the wall. of this town may stand  
That they shall first. be beat down full low  
And all the towers. to the earth I throw  
Or he in Thebes. have any thing to do  
Loo here is all. return and say him so  
When Tydeus saw. the fervent ire  
Of the king. with anger set a fire  
Full of despite. and melancholy  
conceiving eke. the great felony  
In his apport. like as he were wood  
This worthy knight. a little while stood  
Sad and demure. or he would aught sayne  
But at last. thus he spoke again  
Lerteys quoth he. I conceive of new 
The knightly answer of tydeus again to the king   
About the. thy counsel is untrue  
I dare it say. and vowen at lest  
Nor thou art. faithful of thy behest  
Stable of thy word. that thou hast said toforne  
B●t deceivable. and falsely eke forsworn  
And eke perjure. of thine assured oath  
But where so be. that thou be leff or loath  
I say the shortly. hold it for no fage  
All shall turn. unto thy damage  
Trust it well. and in full cruel wise  
All Greeks land. shall upon the rise  
To been avenged. and manly to the redress  
The great untruth. and the high falfnesse  
which that thou haste. again thy brother wrought  
It shall full dear. after this be bought  
And verrayly in deed. as thou shalt lere  
Lring Adrastus. will meddle in this matter  
And all the lords. about him environ  
That bound been. to his subjection  
princes Dukes. and many a noble knight  
In sustaining. of thy brothers right  
Shall upon a day. with spear and shield  
against the be gathered. in a field  
Lrnyghtly to prove. all by one assent  
That thou art false. and double of intent  
Of thy promise. attaint and eke outrayed  
And leave me well. it shall not be delayed  
But in all the haste. execute in deed  
Like thy desert. thou shalt have thy meed  
For god above. of his rightwiseness  
Such open wrong. shall in haste redress  
And of his might. all such conclusion  
reform again. and all extorsyon  
For this the tyne. falsehood shall not avail  
Again troth. to hold battle  
wrong is crooked. both halt and lame  
And here anon. in my brother's name  
As I that am his next ally  
In his quarrel. I shortly the defy  
Fully advised. with all my hole intent  
And the lords. that been there present  
I you require. of your worthiness  
To say troth. and to bear witness  
when time cometh. Justly to record  
How your king. falsely can discord  
From his hest. of false variance  
And think how ye. of faith and lygaunce  
Arne bond eachone. ye may not go therefro  
For to obey. and serven both two  
This next year. now anon following  
As to your lord. and your true king  
Polymyte. though he be now absent  
By Just accord. made in perlement  
At your devise. which sitten here arrow  
engrossed up as it is right well know  
And enroled. only for witness  
In your regestres. to voiden all falnesse  
That none of you. vary may of new  
For that I say. but if he be untrue  
For which I read. yourself to acquit  
Let no ●yme longer you respite  
But atones. without more tarrying  
Of manly force. setteth home your king  
Manger his soon. like as ye are bound  
And let in you. no sloth be found  
To put him Justly in possession  
This my counsel. in conclusion  
As Tydeus had his message said  
Like to the charge. that was on him laid  
As he that list. no longer there sojourn  
from the king. he 'gan his face turn  
Not astonied. nor in his heart afeard  
But full proudly. layed his hand on his sword  
And in despite. who that was leff or loath 
f●ow tydeus manly departed from the king   
A stern paas. thorough the hall he goeth  
Thorught out the court. & manly took his stead  
And out of Thebes. fast 'gan him speed  
enhasting him. till he was at large  
And speed him forth. toward the land of Arge  
Thus leave I him. ride forth a while  
while that I return again my style  
Unto the king. that in the hall stood  
And among his lords furious and wood  
In his heart wroth. and evil apaid  
Of the words. that Tydeus had said  
specially having. remembrance  
On the proud. dispiteous dyffyaunce  
whiles that he sat. in his royal see  
Upon which. he will avenged be  
Full cruelly. what ever that befall  
And in his ire. he 'gan to him call  
chief constable. of his chivalry  
Charging him fast for to high  
with all the worthy chose. of his household  
which as he knew. most manful & most bold  
In all haste. Tydeus to sue  
Toforn. or he out of his land renew  
Upon pain of life. and losing of her heed  
without mercy. anon that he be deed  
And of knights. thirty were in number  
Mine author saith. unwarly him tencombre  
Armed eachone. in mail and thick steel  
And therewith all I horsed wonder weal  
at a postern. forth they 'gan to ride 
How falsely ethiocles laid a busshemete in the valley to have slain Tydeus   
By again path. that lay out aside  
Secretly. that no man 'em aspye  
only of treason. and felony  
They haste 'em forth all the long day  
Of cruel malice. for to stop his way  
thorough a forest. all of one assent  
Full cowardly. to lay a bushment  
Under an hill. at a straight passage  
To fall on him. at more advantage  
The same way. that Tydeus 'gan draw  
Ate thylk mount. where Spyx was slawe  
He nothing aware in his opinion  
Of this compassed. conspiration  
But Innocent. and like a gentle knight  
Road ay forth. till it drew to night  
Sole by himself. without company  
Having no man to wise him or to guy  
But at last. lifting up his heed  
Toward eve and 'gan take heed  
In mind of his way. right as any line  
Thought he saw again the moan shine  
Sheldes fresh. and plates bourned bright  
The which environ. casten a great light  
imagining. in his fantasy  
There was treason. and conspiracy  
Wrought by the king. his Journey for to let  
And of all that. he nothing set  
But well assured. in his manly heart 
How tydeus outerayed thirty knights that lay in a wait for to slay him   
list not once. aside to divert  
But kept his way. his shield upon his breast  
And cast his spear. manly in his rest  
And the first platly. that he met  
thorough the body. proudly he him smette  
That he fell deed. chief master of 'em all  
And than atones. they upon him fall  
On every part. by compass enuyrown  
But Tydeus. thorough his high renown  
his bloody sword. let about him glide  
Sleeth and killed. upon every side  
In his ire. and in his mortal tene  
That marvel was. he might so sustain  
Again hem all. in every half be set  
But his sword. was so sharp I whet  
That his soon. found full unswette  
But he alas. was light on feet  
By force grounded. in full great distress  
But of knighthood. and of great prowess  
Up he rose. maugre all his soon  
And as they come. he slew 'em one by one  
Like a lion rampant in his rage  
And on this hill. he fond a narrow passage  
which that he took. of full high prudence  
And lyche a boar. standing at his defence  
As his foo men. proudly him assail  
Upon the plain. he made her blood to rail  
All environ. that the soil wax red  
Now here now there. as they fyllen deed  
That lay here one. & there lay two or three  
So merciless. in his fers crueltee  
Thilk day he was. upon hem found  
And atones. his enemies to confound  
where as he stood. this mighty campyowne  
Beside he saw. with water turned down  
An huge stone. large long and square  
And suddenly. or that they were ware  
As it had lain there for the nonce  
Upon his soon. he rolled it atones  
That ten of 'em. wenten unto wreck  
And the remanant. amazed drowe a bake  
For one by one. they went to mischance  
And finally he brought to outrance  
Him everichone. Tydeus as belive  
That none but one. left of 'em a live  
himself I hurt. and I wounded keen  
thorough his harness. bleeding on the green  
The slain knights. in compass round about  
In the vale. slain all the rout  
which piteously. again the moan gape  
For none of them. shortly might escape  
But deed eachone. as they it have deserved  
Saaf one except. the which was reserved  
By Tydeus. of this intention  
To the king to make relation  
How his knights. have on her Journey sped  
everich of 'em. his life left for awed  
And at meeting. how they have hem borne  
To tell. all he sured was and sworn  
To Tydeus full. lowly on his knee  
By which ensample. openly ye may see  
Again truth. falsehood hath no might 
How truth with little multitude hath ever in the fine victory of falsehood   
Fie on quarrels. not grounded upon right  
without which. may be no victory  
Therefore each man. have this in memory  
That great power. shortly to conclude  
Plente of good. nor moche multitude  
sleight or engeny. force or folonye  
Arn● to feeble. to hold champarty  
Again troth. who that list take heed  
For at end. falsehood may not speed  
To endure long. the should find it this  
Record I take. of worthy Tydeus  
which with his hand. through tronyes' excellence  
thirty knights slew. in his defence  
But one except. as I late told  
Sworn & assured. and his hand uphold  
The king to inform. how they were attaint  
And Tydeus of bleeding. wonder faint  
Meat and weary. and in great distress  
And overlaid. of verray feblynesse  
But as he might. himself to sustain  
He took his horse. standing on the green  
worthed up. and forth he 'gan to ride  
An easy pace. with his wounds wide  
And shortly yet. in his opinion  
He was alway. afeard of treason  
But anguishous. and full of busy pain  
He road him forth. till he died attain  
In to the bonds. of Lygurgus' land 
How tydeus all for wounded come in to Lygurgus' land   
A worthy king. and manly of his hand  
And he full pale. only for lack of blood  
Tydeus saw. where a castle stood  
Strong and mighty. bylte upon a roche  
Toward whom. fast he 'gan approach  
Conveyed thither. by clearness of the stone  
That by night. again the moan shone  
On the towers. with crests martyall  
And Joining. all most to the wall  
Was a garden. little out beside  
In to whom. Tydeus 'gan to ride  
Of adventure. by a gate small  
And there he found. for to reckon all  
A lusty Erber. unto his devise  
Sweet and fresh. lyche a paradise  
Verray heavenly. of inspection  
And first of all. he lighted a down  
The goodly place. when that he beheld  
And from his nek. avoided hath his shield  
Draw his bridle. fro his horse heed  
let him gone. and take no manner heed  
Through the gardayn. that enclosed was  
Him to pasture. on the green grass  
And Tydeus. more heavy than is lead  
Upon the herbs. green white and red  
As him thought. that time for the best  
He laid him down. for to take his rest  
Of weariness. desirous to sleep  
And none await. his body for to keep  
And with dreams. grudged ever among  
There he lay. till the lark song  
with notes new. high upon in the hair  
The glad morrow. rody and right fair  
Phoebus also. casting up his beams  
The high hills. guilt with his streams  
The silver dew. upon the herbs round  
There Tydeus lay. upon the ground  
Atte the uprist. of the sheen son  
And stoundmele. his green wounds run  
Round about. that the soyll depeynte  
Of the green. with red meynte  
And every morrow. for holsumnesse of the heir 
How lygurgus dow fond tideus sleeping in the erber all forwounded   
Lygurgus daughter. made her repair  
Of custom. ay among the flowers new  
In the garden. of many diverse hew  
Such Joy had. for to take heed  
On her stalks. for to see 'em spread  
In the alleys walking to and fro  
And when she had. a little while go  
Herself alone. casting up her sight  
She beheld. where an armed knight  
Say to rest him. on the herbs cold  
And him beside. she 'gan eke behold  
His mighty stead. walkyug here and there  
And she anon. fell in a manner fere  
specially. when she saw the blood  
Sprad all the green. about there she stood  
But at last. she caught hardiness  
And womanly. 'gan her for to dress  
Toward this knight. having a manner of dread  
And 'gan great doubt. lest that he were deed  
And of her will. soothly it was chief  
That she thought. for to make a proof  
How that it stood. of this man full oft  
And forth she gooth. & touched him full soft  
There as he lay. with her hands small  
And with a face deadly. bleyke and pale  
Lyche as a man. dawed in a swoon  
Up he start. and his sword he drowe  
Not fully out. but put it up again▪  
Anon as he hath the lady sayne  
Beseeching her. only of her grace  
To have pity upon his trespass  
And rue on him. of her womanhead  
For of afraye. he was fall in dread  
lest he had. assailed be of new  
Of the Thebans. proved full untrue  
For dread of which he was so reckless  
Full humbly yielding him to the peace  
Trust in himself. he passed had his bounds  
And when that she saw his mortal wounds  
She had ruth. of verraye gentellesse  
Of his disease. and of his distress  
And bad he should. no thing be dismayed 
How womanly that lady acquyteth her to tydeus in his disease   
Nor in heart sorrowful. nor afraid  
discomfort him. in no manner thing  
For I quoth she. am daughter to the king  
Called Lygurge. that greatly me delight  
Every morrow. this garden to visit  
It is to me. so passingly disport  
wherefore quoth she. byth' of good comfort  
For no wight here. touching your viage  
Shall hinder you. ne do you no damage  
And if ye list. of all your adventure  
The plain truth. to me discure  
I will in south. do my business  
To reform. your grievous heaviness  
with all my might. and mine hole diligence  
That I hope. of your great offence  
ye shall have help. in your adversity  
And as farforth. as it lieth in me  
Trusteth right well. ye shall no fault find  
And when he saw. that he was king  
So womanly. so goodly and so benign  
In all her port. by many diverse sign  
He unto her. by order would not spare  
His adventures. fully to declare  
In thebes first. touching his message  
And all the hill. of the wood rage  
Of his wounds. and hurts sore  
It were but vain. to rehearse it more  
By and by. he told her every deal  
The which in sooth. she liked never a deal  
But had ruth and compassion  
Of his mischief. wrought by false treason  
Bidding in haste. that he should her sue  
And womanly. as her thought due  
To a chamber she lad him up a loft 
How tydeus was refesshed in the castle of the lady   
Full well besayn. there in a bed right soft  
richly abouten appareled  
with cloth of gold. all the flore I rayed  
Of the same. both in length and breed  
And first this lady. of her womanhead  
Her women bad. as goodly as she can  
To be attendaunte. on this wounded man  
And when he was unarmed to his shirt  
She made first. wash his wounds smart  
And search hem well. with diverse instrumentis  
And made fet. sundry ointments  
And leches eke. the best that she could find  
Full craftily. to staunchen hem and to bind  
And every thing that may do 'em ease  
To suage his pain. or his woe to pease  
was in the court. and in the castle sought  
And by her bidding. to the chamber brought  
And for his sake. she hath after sent  
For such daints. as were convenient  
most nutrytyfe. by physykes lore  
Hem that were sick. or wounded to restore  
Making her women. eke to taken keep  
And wait on him. a nights when he sleep  
And be well aware. that no thing a start  
That was or might. be lusty to his heart  
And with all this. she prayed him to abide  
Till he were strong. and mighty for to ride  
In the castle. to play him and disport  
And at leisure. home again resort  
when he might. bywelde him at his large  
But all for nought. he will home to Arge  
Took his leave. on the next day  
without abode. to haste him on his way  
Lowly thanking. unto her goodness  
Of her freedom. & of her bounteous largeness  
So wommanly. that her list take heed  
Him to refresh. in his great need  
behoting her. with all his full might  
He would be her servant. and her knight  
while he liveth. of what she would hem charge 
How tydeus repaireth home to Arge all forwounded & sore I hurt   
And forth he road. till he come to Arge  
In full great haste. & would no where dwell  
But what should I rehersen other tell  
Of his repair. the costs or the plains  
The craggy roches. or the high mountains  
Or all the manner. of his home coming  
Of the meeting, or of the welcoming  
Nor the Joy that Adrastus made  
Nor how his sustre. ne his wife were glad  
Nor how that they. where to should I write  
Embraced him. in her arms wite  
Nor the gathering. about him ne the prece  
Nor the sorrow. that Polymyte  
Made in himself. to see him so sore wounded  
His grievous hurts. his sorrows eke unsounded  
His deadly look. and his face pale  
Of all this. to gynne a new tale  
It were in south a manner idleness  
Nor how himself. in order died express  
first how that he. in Thebes hath him borne  
Nor how the king. falsely was forsworn  
Nor of the await. nor treason that he set  
when thirty knights. on the way him met  
As he have herd. all the manner how  
without which. my tale is long enough  
But Adrastus. made men to seche  
In every cost. for many diverse leech  
To come in haste. and make no tarrying  
Upon a pain. by bidding of the king  
To done her craft. that he were recured  
And of his force. in every part assured  
And they eachone. so her connynges show  
That in space. of days few  
He was all hole made. of his sickness  
though was there Joy. th● was there gladness  
thorough the court. and thorough all the town  
For every man. hath such opinion  
In Tydeus. for his gentilesse  
For his manhood. and his lowliness  
That he was hold. the most famous knight  
And best beloved. in every man's sight  
thorough out Grece. in every region  
But now must I make. a digression  
To tell shortly. as in sentiment  
Of thilk knight. that Tydeus hath sent  
In to Thebes. only to declare  
The great mischief. and the evil fare  
Unto the king. how it is befall  
The open truth. of his knights all  
How Tydeus hath slain him everichone  
Than saaf himself. there escaped none  
That were reserved. fro shedding of his blood  
The king to tell. plainly how it stood  
And when he had. rehearsed every point  
Ethyocles stood. in such dysjointe  
Of hatfull ire. that he wax nigh wooed 
How ethyocles was as toned when he heard the death of his knights   
And in his tene. and in his fell mode  
Of cruel malice. to the knight he spoke  
And felly said. that it was for lake  
only of manhood. thorough her cowardice  
That they were slain. in so mortal wise  
And hanged be he. high by the nek  
That of your death. or of your slaughter rek  
Or you complain. other one or all  
Of the mischief. that is you befall  
I do no force. that none of you asterte  
But fie upon. your false coward heart  
That one knight. through his high renown  
Hanth brought you. all in confusion  
Full graceless. and full unhappy to  
Nay quoth this knight. it is not so  
It is thine unhap. plainly and not ours  
That so many. worthy werryoures  
which all her life. never had shame  
Except this quarrel. taken in thine name  
That grounded was. and rooted in falnesse  
This was cause. in verray sickerness  
Of our unhap. I wot well and none other  
And the untruth. done unto thy brother  
And that thou were. so openly forsworn  
A parcel cause. why that we were forlorn  
was false breaking. of thine assured oath  
And though the king. all most mad for wroth  
In purpose was. for to slay this knight  
only for he said unto him right  
The which miles alas. both at eve & morrow  
surprised was. with a deadly sorrow  
Renewed ay in his remembrance  
with the piteous. and unhappy chance  
Of the mischief. and misadventure  
Touching the death. and the discomfiture  
Of his fers. and of himself also  
That the shamfaste. importable woe  
So fratte on him. with such a mortal strife  
That he was weary. of his own life  
Hence a sword. and a side start  
And roof himself. even to the heart  
The king himself. being tho present  
That the romoure. and the noise is went  
Through out all Thebes. and the wood rage  
By such as weren. Joined by lineage  
To the knights. slain at hill  
That all atones. of one heart and will  
They would have risen. through out all the city  
Upon the king. avenged for to be  
which of her death. was chief occasion  
But the barons. and the lords of the town  
Full busy weren. this rumove to disease  
Of high prudence. to stinten and appease  
In quiet. every thing to set  
And after that the bodies home they fet  
Of the knights. like as ye have heard  
afore I slain. with the bloody sword  
Of Tydeus. full sharp whet and ground  
And in the field. so as they hem found  
only of love. and of affection  
solemnly. they brought 'em to the town  
And like the manner of her rights old  
They were first brent. in to ashes cold  
everich I buried. lyche to his degree  
Loo here kalends of adversity  
Sorrow upon sorrow. and destruction  
first of the king. and all the region  
For lack only. like as I you told  
That behests. truly were not hold  
first ground and rote. of this ruin  
As the story. clearly shall determine  
And mine tale hereafter. shall you lere  
If you list. the remanant for to hear   
¶ Explicit pars Secunda.   

¶ Sequitur pars Tercia.  

O Cruel Mars. full of melancholy  
And of thy kind. hot combust & dry  
As the spercles. shown fro so far  
By the streams. of the red star  
In thy spear. as it about goeth  
what was cause. that thou were so wroth  
with hem of Thebes. through whose fervent ire  
The city brent. and was set a fire  
As books old. well rehearse konne  
Of cruel hate. rooted and begun  
And engendered. the story maketh mind  
only of blood. corrupt and unkind  
By infection. called original  
Causing a strife. dreadful and mortal  
Of which the mischief. through all Grece ran  
And king Adrastus. alder first began  
That hath him cast. a conquest for to make  
Upon Thebes. for Polymytes sake  
In knightly wise. there to prove his might  
Of full intent. to recure his right  
And first of all. he set a parliament  
And hath his letters. and messengers sent  
Through out Grece. to many sundry kings  
Him to enhaste. and make no lettings  
And round about. as made is mention  
He sent also. to many region  
For princes dukes. lords and barons  
To taken up. in cities and in towns  
And choosen out. the most lyklyeste  
And such that waren proved for the best  
And of manhood. and send 'em up eachone  
And in her hand. receive her pay anon  
with Adrastus. to Thebes for to ride 
The great purveyance of king Adrastus toward the city of thebes   
And the lords. that with him abide  
In household still have her leave take  
To riden home. her retenu to make  
In their countries. as they were of degree  
To stuffen hem. and to take up main  
And make 'em strong. with knight & squires  
with spears bows. and with arblastres  
In all the haste possible. that they may  
And to return. in her best array  
Atte term set. full manly to be say  
tofore Arge. moustrens in a plain  
And as I read. full worthy of degree 
The kings & princes that come with adrastus   
thither came first. Prothonolope  
The which was. by record of writing  
Of Archada. son to the king  
And full prudent. fond in were and peace  
There come also. the king Cylmythenes  
And as I find. full famous of renown  
thither come eke. the king Epymedon  
And passing all. of knighthood and of name  
And excelling. by worthiness of fame  
The noble king. called Campaneus  
Come eke to Arge. the story telleth us  
Proved right well. and had riden far  
And thither come. the king Melleager  
Lring Genor eke. that held his royal seat  
Mine author saith. in the land of Crete  
Lring Laerys. and the king of Pyrrus  
And eke the king. called Tortalanus  
And renowned in many region  
There come the king. I named Polemon  
Oft assayed and I found. a manly knight  
That with him brought. in steel armed bright  
Full many worthy. out of his country  
And Tydeus. most knightly for to see  
That manly man. that noble werryoure  
As he that was. of worthiness flower  
Master and mirror. by prowess of his hand  
Hath sent also. in to the mighty land  
Of Calydonye. whereof he was heir  
That is a kingdom. both rich and feyre  
Charging his counsel. and his officers also  
In all the haste. that it may be do  
To seeken out the best werryours  
Of famous knights. and proved saudyours  
Through all the land. & laid on 'em this charge  
without abode. for to come to Arge  
And they obey shall. his bidding  
enhasting 'em. and made no letting  
But sped 'em fast. upon her journey  
And from Thebes. the mighty strong city  
Come down knight. with many another man  
maugre the king. to help what they can  
considered first. his falsehood and treason  
I men only. of troth and of reason  
Polymytes. as they were sworn of yore  
To his crown. justly to restore  
And when they wern. at large out of the town  
In to Arge they be descended down  
And like her oath. and their assurance  
As they weren bound. only of lygaunce  
To him they came. in full lowly wise  
Ready to done. what him list to devise  
And when he had. her troth full conceived  
He hath to grace. goodly hem received  
Assygning hem. her place mid the ooste  
Assembled there. fro many diverse cost  
That finally. in this company  
I gathered was. the flower of chivalry  
I chosen out. of all Greeks land  
The most knightly. & manful of her hand  
That I trow. sith the world began  
There was not seen. so many manly man  
So well horsed. with spear and with shield  
together assembled. sooth in a field  
There men might see. many strange gyses  
Of arming new. and uncouth devise  
Every man after his fantasy  
That if I should. in order specify  
Every peace longing to armour  
And thereupon. do my busy cure  
It were in south. almost a days work  
And the terms. been also to dark  
To rehearse 'em clearly. and to rhyme  
I pass over. only for lack of time  
And tell I would. forth of her lodging  
How Adrastus. the noble worthy king  
Hath every lord. like to his degree  
receiveth well. within his city  
And there they had. like to her pleasance  
Of what needeth. fulsome abundance  
For man and horse. plenty of victual  
Commanding. that no thing ne fail  
That all these noble werreours  
Both high and low. and pooer saudyours  
I served were. of that they had need  
For Adrastus. prudently took heed 
what 'vaileth a king to pay his people truly her soude   
Full like a king. touching her term day  
That they tofore. were served of her pay  
He was so free. him list▪ nothing restrain  
And no man. had cause to complain  
Hunger. thirst. nor indigence  
And in a prince. it is full great offence 
Nota   
As clerks say. and a grece repre●e  
To suffer his people. lyven at mischief  
It is full heavy. and grievous in her thought  
If he habonde. and they have right nought  
He may not both. possede good and heart  
He to be rich. and seen his people smart  
He may the body. of poor well constrain  
But her heart. hath a full long rain  
maugre his might. to loven at large  
There may no king. on hearts set a charge  
Nor hem cohercen. from her liberty  
Men seen full oft. how that thought is free  
For which each prince. lord and governor  
And specially. every conqueror  
let him beware. for all his noblesse  
That bounty freedom. plenty and largesse  
By one accord. that they his bridle lead  
lest of his people. when he hath most need  
He be defrauded. when he is but alone  
Than is to late. for to make his moan 
Nota how love availeth more a king than gold or great richesse   
But in his court. let him first devise  
To exile scarshede and covetise  
Than is he likely. with freedom if he gynne  
Love of his people. evermore to win  
To regne long. in honour and contune  
Ay to increase. by favour of fortune  
And his enemies. manly to oppress  
For love is more. than gold or great richesse  
Gold faileth oft. love will abide  
For list or death. by a lords side  
And the treasure. shortly of a king  
Standeth in love. above all thing  
Far well lordship. both morrow and eve  
specially. when love taketh his leave  
And who so list. a mirror for to make  
Of kindly freedom. let him ensample take  
Of Adrastus. the manly king famous  
So liberal. so bounteous  
Unto his people. at all time found  
Which made him strong. his foemen to confound  
And love only. his enemies to werreye  
All grece. made his bidding to obey  
Of one accord. knightly by his side  
All atones. to Thebes for to ride  
For t'avenge. sith they were so strong  
The great Injury. and the Importable wrong  
Done to his son. and to his next ally  
As ye tofore. have hard me specify  
But while Greeks. arrest a while in pes  
I will resort to Ethyocles 
Nota   
with Inn Thebes. warly hath espied  
By his friends. as he was certified  
Of the Greeks. hole the ordinance  
Her purpose eke. and her purveyance  
And thereof had in heart. a manner dread  
And first he took. his counsel and his rede  
Of the lords. and of the barons of the town  
And of the wisest. of his region  
How he might. maken resistance  
Manly to standen. at defence  
To be strong. that there were no doubt 
How ethyo cles made him strong again the coming of the Greeks   
And in though contrees. adiacente about  
And eke▪ also. in foreign regions  
He hath withhold. all the champions  
And thereupon. he sent out his aspyes  
And his friends. and his next allies  
And all the worthy. dwelling environ  
Young fresh and lusty. he gathered in to town  
Maskowede his walls. and his high towers  
And stuffed hem. with many sadyoures  
Round about. he set many guns  
great and small. and some large as tons  
And in his hasty. passing fervent heat  
He spent his treasure. and gave yefts great  
Unto knights. and worthy men of name  
And evermore. to increase his fame  
He gave to lords. Jewels many fold  
Clothes of velvet. of damask and of gold  
To get him hearts. soothly as I read  
To help him now. in this great need  
And prudently purveyed him to foam  
Of flesh and fish. and of wine and corn  
Set his Capyteyns. early and late  
with full stiff strong. at every gate  
He made also. by workmen that were true  
Barbycans. and bolwerkes new  
Bars chains. and dyches wonder deep  
Making his vow. the city for to keep  
while he liveth. despite of all his soon  
And by his gods. of metal and of stoon  
Full oft he swore. both of heart and thought  
That it shall first. full dear been a bought  
And many a man. with pole-axe & sword & knife  
tofore this town. first shall lose his life  
And there shall eke. many sides bleed  
Or his brother. peaceably possede  
The town in peace. like as Greeks ween  
But at end. the troth shall be seen  
let him beware. and well tofore provide  
For Adrastus. on that other side  
For his part. was not negligent  
But on a day. held a parliament  
All his lords. sitting environ  
To drive shortly. a plain conclusion  
And up thappoint. the fine of her intent  
But some thought. full expedyente.  
Of they proceed. to work by thadvice  
Of one that was. full prudent and right wise  
And circumspect. in his works all  
A worthy bishop. in to age fall  
And called was soothly by his name 
How the bishop amphio rax was sent for to come to the greeks   
Amphyorax. of whom the great fame  
Through all the land. both est and south  
Among Greeks. passingly was couth  
A man in sooth. of old antiquity  
And most excepted. of authority  
first by reason. of his high estate  
And eke. for he was so fortunate  
In his works. and was also secree  
with the gods. knowing her pryvetee  
By grant. of whom as books specify  
He had a spirit. of true prophecy  
And could aforne. full openly divine  
Things begun. how they should fine  
And eke by craft. of calculation  
give a doom. of every question  
And had in Magyk. great experience  
And find could. by heavenly Influence  
And by meaning. of high stars  
A final doom. of contek and of wars  
And wist well. as his gods told 
And wist well the true ꝓphecye of bishop amphyorax   
That if Greeks. forth her Journey hold  
It turn should. platly this no phage  
To great mischief. and to great damage  
Of hem eachone. and in especial  
The most part. of the blood royal  
Through all Grece. it may not be withdraw  
In this viage. shortly shall be slawe  
And if himself. with the Greeks went  
who that ever wept. him or by mente  
This was the fine. and may not be succoured  
Of the earth. he should be devoured  
quick as he was. he knew none other in serteyne  
And for he saw. there was none other gain  
To save his life. nor no bet defence  
Than utterly. to withdrawn his presence  
praying his wife. for him to provide  
If he were sought. that she would him hide  
And womanly. for to keep him close  
And of troth. councelen his purpose  
For all his trust. touching his grievance  
was fully set. in her prevyaunce  
I hope to god. that he need not dread  
Of no decerte. in her womanhead  
She was so true. as women been everichone  
And also close. and mute as a stone  
That she ne would. as the matter stood  
Dyscuren him. for no worldly good  
But finally. the Greeks of intent  
In all his dread. have for the bishop sent  
Though it was long. or they might him find  
For cause his wife. was to him so kind  
That full surely. hath locked up his cors  
But for she had. a manner remorse  
In herself. grieving her conscience 
How that wit of amphyo rax of conscience to save her oath discured her husband   
Dreading to fall. in full great offence  
lest her soul. were in peril lost  
when she by oath. compelled was a sworn  
There requiring. if she could tell  
where her lord. the bishop should dwell  
which to discure. her heart was full loath  
Till time she gan. remembren on her oath  
And could a truth of custom not deny  
And had also great conscience to lie  
wonder heavy. with a sorrowful face  
maugre her lust. taught 'em to the place  
where as he was. shit up in a tour  
All alone. having no succour  
They fell on him. or that he was ware  
And set him up. in a full rich char  
A great fool he was. to yeoparde his life  
For to discure. his counsel to his wife  
And yet she was. full sorry for his sake  
specially when she saw him take  
But I hope. that her heaviness  
'Gan a suage. full soon by process  
In short tyme. when that he was gone  
There is no tempest. that may lest ever in one  
But this bishop. by verray force and might  
Unto Greeks. conveyed was full right  
This hoar grey. in his char sitting  
And they full glad. were of his coming  
Having a trust. and full opinion  
And thorough cause. and occasion  
Of his wisdom. and his sapience  
And by virtue. of his high presence  
They should eschew. all adversity  
Possible to fall. as in her Journee  
And as the story. fully hath devised  
Full circumspect. and right well advised  
He hath pronounced. in the parliament  
tofore the lords. and the presydente  
His clear conceit. in verray sickerness  
Not entryked with no doubleness  
Her dysmole days. and her fatal hours  
Her adventures. and her sharp showers  
The froward sort. and the unhappy stoundes  
The complaints. of her deadly wounds  
The woeful wrath. and the contraverse  
Of fell Mars. and his cruelty  
And how by mean. of his gery mode  
There shallbe shed. all the worthy blood  
Of the Greeks. it may not be eschewed  
If her purpose. be execute and sewed  
There is no more. this shall be the fine  
The high noblesse. shall draw to decline  
Of Greeks blood. in mischief sorrow and woe  
And with all this. I myself also  
As my fate. hath tofore disposed  
Deep in the ground. I shall be enclosed  
And locked up. in the dark vale  
Of cruel death. loo this was the tale  
That the bishop to Adrastus told  
Him counseyling. his purpose to withhold  
In eschewing. of more mischief and sorrow  
For all his goods. he take unto borrow  
If the Thebans. and the Greeks meet  
The fine thereof. shall be unsweet  
That all Grece. after shall it rue  
warning him. if they the mischief knew  
That shall follow. that no man may let  
They would abstain. a siege for to ●ette  
Unto Thebes. and her purpose leave  
with whose words. the lords 'gan 'em grieve  
And there in had. but full small delight  
And every eachone. of herely high despite  
They abraid. and said he was untrue  
A contryver. of prophecies new  
And eke also. for his long beard  
And old dottarde. a coward and a feared  
And of rancour. 'gan to defy  
Both his calking. and his astronomy  
And said shortly. they took thereof none heed  
Ne will no thing. govern 'em after his rede  
This was the clamor. & noise in every cost  
Of high and low. thorough out all the host  
And specially of the saudyours  
And of lords. regning in flowers  
And of the states. effectually I mean  
which of age. were but tender and green  
That have not had. by Martyrs Influence  
Of the were. great experience  
Here if ye list. ye may consider and see  
Of conceits. full great dyversytee  
How that youth. no peril cast afore  
Till the mischief. suddenly be borne  
Where as age provideth every thing  
Or he begin. to casten the ending  
youth is governed by a large rain 
How age & youth been of diverse opinions   
To run forth. and can not him refrain  
But of heed. set on all atones  
As he that hurtlyth. again the hard stones  
Broseth himself. unwarly and parbraketh  
But age expert. no thing undertaketh  
But tofore. of good discretion  
Make a due examination  
How it will turn. other to bad or good  
But youth as fast. as stired is the blood  
Take emprises. of hasty wilfulness  
joy at ginning. the end is wretchedness  
The old prudent. in all his governance  
Full long aforne. maketh purveyance  
But youth alas. by counsel will not work  
For which full oft. he stumbleth in the dark  
Thus seld is seen. the troth to termine  
That age and youth. draw by one line  
And where that folly hath denomination  
wisdom is put in to subjection  
Like as this bishop. with all his high prudence  
For cause. he might have none audience  
All his wisdom. and his prophecy 
How the wisdom without suppor taconn availeth little or nought   
Of the Greeks. was holden but folly  
For though Plato. and wise Socrates  
Moral Senek. and Dyogenes  
Albumazar. and prudent Tholome  
And Tullyus. that had sovereignty  
whilom in Rome. as of eloquence  
Though all these. shorly in sentence  
were a live. most cunning and expert  
And no man. list her counsel to advert  
Nor of her saws. for to taken heed  
what might avail. and it come to need  
For where prudence. can find no succour  
And providence. hath no favour  
Far well wisdom. far well discretion  
For lack only. of supportation  
For unsupported. with his locks door  
Amphyorax. sighen 'gan full sore  
with heed inclined. and many evil thought  
when that he saw. his counsel stand for nought  
For utterly. the Greeks as I told  
Have fully cast. her Journey for to hold  
Made 'em ready. and gonnen to hosteye  
Toward Thebes. the city to warray  
And forth with 'em. Amphyorax they carry  
And in Grece. will no longer tarry  
sit in his char. with a doolfull heart  
when he wist. he might not asterte  
Of his fate. his disposition  
And hosting. in to the region  
Of Lygurgus. Greeks 'gan approach  
A sondy land. with many a craggy roche  
But all the way. soothly that they gone  
For horse nor man. water was there none  
So dry was the vales. and the plains  
For all that year. they hadden had no reins  
But full great drought. as made is mention 
The great mischief that greeks had of the default of water   
And all the land. searching environ  
They neither fond. well ne river  
Hem to refresh. ne water that was clear  
But they alas. no refute ne con  
So importable. was the sheen son  
So hot on 'em. in fields where they lay  
That for mischief. man and horse 'gan they  
Gaping full dry. upward in to south  
And some putten. her swords in her mouth  
And spear heads. in story as it is told  
Taswage her thirst. with the iron cold  
And of his life. full many one despaired  
In this mischief. and home again repaired  
Till on a day. worthy Tydeus  
And with him eke. the king Campanous  
Of purpose road. thorough out the country  
If they might. any water see  
From cost to cost. both far and near  
Till of fortune. they entered an herbere  
with trees shadowed. for the son sheen  
Full of herbs. and of flowers green  
wonder wholesome. both of sight and hair  
There Inn a lady. that passingly was fair  
sitting as tho. under a laure tree  
And in her arms. a little child had she  
Full gracious. of look and of visage  
And was also. wonder tender of age  
son of the king. borne to succeed  
Called Lygurgus. in story as I read  
whose heartily joy. and worldly eke disport  
All his mirth. pleasance and comfort  
was in this child. of excellent fairness  
And this lady. mirror of semlynesse  
All suddenly. as she cast up her sight  
And on his stead. saw an armed knight  
greatly abashed. 'gan anon renew  
But Tydeus. after 'gan to sue  
And said. sister byth' nothing dismayed  
In yourself. disposed nor afraid  
For we are come. only to this place 
How tydeus complaineth to the lady in the erber for water   
you to beseech. of mercy and of grace  
Us to succour. in our great need  
Declaring you. how it stand in deed  
Here fast by. all most at hand  
The worthiest. of all Greeks land  
Lrynges princes. been lodging in the field  
And many other. with pole-axe spear and shield  
which in mischief. apparel and great dread  
For want of water. been likely to be deed  
For there was none. of high ne low degree  
In all our Dost. now passed days three  
That drank. alas except none estate  
Our viage. is so Infortunate  
praying you. of womanly pity  
benignly. and graciously for to see  
How of grece. all the chivalry  
Of her lives. stant in jeopardy  
That ye would of womanhead tell  
If ye know. river spring or well  
specially now. in all our care  
Of gentilesse. unto us declare  
Loo here is all. if ye list to here  
That ye will say. mine own sister dear  
And when this lady Inly virtuous 
How the lady taught tydeus to the well   
The complaint herd. of worthy Tydeus  
Of verray pity. changeth cheer and hew  
And in her heart. upon her woe 'gan rue  
And full goodly. seeing his distress  
Said unto him. in all his heaviness  
Certes quoth she. if I were at large  
Touching this child. of whom I have charge  
I should in haste. of all that doth you grieve  
To my power. helpen to relieve  
only of ruth. and compassion  
And leave all other occupation  
convey you. and be your true guide  
To a river. but little here beside  
But I dare not. so much me assure  
This little child. to put in adventure  
I am so fearful. from it to depart  
But for your sake. that I in part  
My life my death. of true affection  
To provide. for your salvation  
Took the child. and laid it in her lap  
And richly in clothes. 'gan it wrap  
And couched it among the herbs soot  
And laid about. many wholesome root  
And flowers eke. both blue and red  
And surprised. with a manner dread  
With Tydeus forth anon she went  
As she in troth. that no treason mente  
And in her way. would she never dwell  
Till she him brought. to a right fair well  
And to a river. of water right habonde  
But who was glad. and who was though jocund  
But Tydeus seeing the river  
which in all the haste. sent his messenger  
To Adrastns. and bade him not abide  
But down descend. to the river side  
with all th'host. recure for to have  
at this river. her lives for to save  
And this enhaste. him making none abode  
All atones. to the river road  
For to drink. they had so great lust  
Of appetite. for to staunch her thrust  
And some drunk. and found it died them good  
And some were so fervent and so wood  
Upon the water. that in sickerness  
Through undiscrete. and hasty greediness  
Out of measure. the water so they drink  
That they fill deed. even upon the brink  
And some naked. in to the river run  
only for heat. of the summer son  
To bathen hem. the water was so cold  
And some also. as I have you told  
I mean tho. that prudent weren and wise  
The water drank. in measurable wise  
That of the thirst. they have toforne endured  
They were refreshed. fully and recured  
And Greeks then. of high and low degree  
For high profit. and great commodytee  
Compass the river. crystallyn of sight  
Of one accord. there her tents pight  
To rest hem. there in releases of her pain  
only the space. of a day or twain  
And whiles Greeks. upon the river lay  
This Tydeus. upon the same day  
Full knightly. hath do his diligence  
This young lady. with great reverence  
To Adrastus. goodly to present  
at whose coming. the king himself went  
Against her. she falling down on her knees  
All the states. present and degrees  
Of greeks land. absent was not one  
And in his arms. took her up anon  
Thanking her. and of her business  
Of her labour. and her kindness  
behoting her. like as he was hold  
If any thing. plainly that she would  
That he may done. she should it ready find  
And Greeks all. the story maketh mind  
Of the states. being tho present  
Thanked her. with all her hole intent  
For the refreshing. done to many a Greek  
And for her part. they behyght her eke  
with her bodies. and goods both two  
what her list. command 'em for to do  
To be ready platly. and not fail  
And here mine author. maketh rehearsal  
That this lady. so fair upon to see  
Of whom the name. was Isyphyle  
To Adrastus told. as ye may read  
Lynealy the stock of her kindred  
Whilom how she a kings daughter was  
rehearsing him. hole all the case  
first why that she. out of her country went  
Shortly. for she nolde not assent  
To execute. a conspiration  
Made by the women. of that region  
A thing contrary. and against all right  
That each of 'em. upon a certain night  
By one accord. shall warly take keep  
father brother. and husbands in her sleep  
with knives sharp. and rasours keen  
Lrytte her throats. in that mortal tene  
Unto this fine. as Bochas tell can  
In all that land. be not found a man  
But slain eachone. to this conclusion  
That women might have domination  
In that kingdom. to regne at liberty  
And on no part. interrupted be  
But for this lady. passing debonair  
To this murder. was froward and contrary  
Lrepte her father. that he was not slawe  
But fro the death. preserved and withdraw  
For which alas. she fled the country  
And of a pirate. taken in the see  
To king Lygurgus. broughten in all dread  
And for her truth. and her womanhead  
To her he took his young child to keep  
which in the herber. alone left to sleep  
when Tydeus. she brought to well  
And by Jason. some books tell 
Jason   
That this lady. had sons two  
when that he. and Hercules also 
Hercules   
Toward Colchos. by her country came  
For tacomplysshe. the conquest of the Ram  
But who that list. by and by for to see  
The story hole. of this Isyphyle 
Isyphyle   
Her faders name. of which also I went  
Though some said. he named was Toante  
And some books. Vermes eke him call  
But to know. the adventures all  
Of this lady. Isyphyle the fair  
So faithful ay. and Inly debonair  
Look on the book. that Johan Bochas made  
whilom of women. with Rothorykes glad  
And direct. by full sovereign style  
To fair Jane. the queen of Secyle  
Reed there the Rubrysshe of Isyphyle  
Of her troth. and of her high bounty  
Full craftily compiled. for her sake  
And when that she. hath her leave take  
Of Adrastus. homeward in her way  
Tydeus. 'gan her to convey  
To the garden. till she is repaired  
But now alas. my matter dysepeyred  
Of all Joy. and of all welfulness  
And destitute. of mirth and all gladness  
For now of woe. gynneth the sharp showers  
For this lady found. among the flowers  
Her little child. turned up the face 
How the child was slain with a serpent   
Slain of a serpent. in the self place  
Her tail burled. with scales silver sheen  
The venyin. was so piercing and so keen  
So perilous. eke the mortal violence  
Caused alas. thorough her long absence  
She was to slow. homeward for to high  
But now can she. but weep wail and cry  
Now can she not. but sighen and complain  
And woefully. wring her hands twain  
deadly of look. pale of face and cheer  
And 'gan to rend. her guilt tresses clear  
And oft sith. 'gan she say alas  
I woeful wretch. unhappy in this caas  
what shall I do. or whether shall I turn  
For this the fine. if I there sojourn  
I wot right well. I may not escape  
The piteous fate. that is for me shape  
succour is none. nor there may be no rede  
Lyche my decerte. but that I moat be deed  
For thorough my sloth. and my negligence  
I have alas. done so grece offence  
That my guilt. I may not excuse  
Shall to the king. of treason me accuse  
thorough my default. and sloth both two  
His sone is deed. and his heir also  
which he loveth. more than all his good  
For treasure. none so nigh his heart stood  
Nor was so deep. grave in his courage  
That he is likely. to fall in a rage  
when it is so. mine odious offence  
Reported be. unto his audience  
So Importable. shall be his heaviness  
And well wot I. in verray soothfastness  
That when the king. hath this espied  
To mine excuse. it may not be denied  
I doubt it not. there geyneth no pity  
with out respite. he will avenged be  
On me alas. I have deserved  
That fro the death. I may not be preserved  
Nother by bill. ne supplication  
For the rage. of my transgression  
Requireth death. and none other meed  
And thus alas. quaking in her dread  
None other help. ne remedy ●an  
But dreynte in sorrow. to the Greeks ran  
Of heartily woe. face and cheer desteyned  
And her cheeks. with weeping all bereyned  
In her affray. dystracte and furious  
tofore all. she come to Tydeus  
And fill on knees. & 'gan her complaint make  
Told plainly. that for Greeks sake  
She moat be deed. and shortly in substance  
rehearsing him. the great of her grievance  
first how by trains. of false serpent  
The child was slain. while she was absent  
In what dysjointe. and peril that she stood  
And when that he. her mischief understood  
Unto her. full knightly he behyght  
To help and further. all that ever he might  
Her piteous wo. to stinten and appeal  
And for to find. unto her disease  
Hasty comfort. he went a full great pace  
To Adrastus. and told him all the case  
Of this unhappy. woeful adventure  
Beseeching him. to done his busy cure  
As he was bound. of equity and right  
And adverten. and to have a sight  
How she quite her. to Greeks here tofore  
when they were likely. for to have be lost  
The succour void. of her womanhead  
Of which he must. of knighthood take heed  
To remedyen this unhappy thing  
And Adrastus. like a worthy king  
Taquyte himself. the story maketh mind  
To this lady. will not to be found unkind  
Nother for cost. nor for no travail  
But busy was. in all that might avail  
To her succour. considered all things  
And by thadvice. of all the worthy kings  
Of Greeks land. they been accorded thus  
princes dukes. and worthy Tydeus  
To hold her way. and all atones ride  
To Lygurgus. dwelling there beside  
Of one intent. if they may purchase  
In any wise. for to get grace  
For this lady. called Isyphyle  
They would assay. if it might be  
And to his palace. full royal bylte of stone  
The worthy Greeks. came riding everichone  
Every lord. full freshly on his stead  
And Lygurgus. example of manlihood  
Anon as he knew. of her coming  
Taquyte himself. lyche a gentle king  
Again hem went. to meet 'em on the way  
Full well beseen. and in full good array  
receiving him. with a full kingly cheer  
And to Adrastus said. as ye shall here  
Cousin quoth he. and 'gan him to embrace  
ye be welcome. to your own place  
Thanking heartily. to your high noblesse  
That so goodly. of your gentilesse  
Towards me. ye list you taquyte  
yourself day. your Cousin to visit  
In this castle. to make your lodging  
That never yet. I was so glad of thing  
And all my life. and there to here my truth  
And evermore. there shall be no sloth  
That the chambers. and the large towers  
Shall be delivered. to your herberyours  
That every lord. as is of degree  
Unto his lodging. assigned shall be  
Your officers. let himself devise  
If the housing. may largely suffice  
To you and yours. stretchen and attain  
That none estate. have cause to complain  
And all your host. lodged here beside  
which in tents. upon you abide  
let hem fet. by mine authority  
victual you here in my city  
And all that may. him succour or save  
And at a word. all that ever I have  
Is full and hold. at your commandment  
Quod Adrastus. that is not our intent 
How adrastus & all the stat● of greeks prayed lygurgus for the life of Isyphyle   
Nor in no party. cause of our coming  
For we come. all for another thing  
A certain gift. of you to require  
benignly. if ye list to here  
which may Greeks. passingly avail  
Of your request. that ye not ne fail  
which we dare not openly express  
without that ye would of gentilesse  
your grant aforne. confirm an ratyfye  
Than were we bold. it to specify  
Quod Lygurgus. what thing ever it be  
Nought excepted. by only things three  
The first thing is it. toucheth not my life  
My young son plainly. ne my wife  
Take all my good. or what ye list provide  
Of my treasure. and set these three a side  
All the surplus. I count not at a mite  
Than Adrastus. atoned was a light  
when Lygurgus in conclusion  
Of his son. died make exception  
And whiles they thus entreaten I fear  
There come forth one. with a woeful cheer  
Of face. of look pale and no thing read  
A loud crieth. the kings son is deed  
Alas the while. that whilom was so fair  
After Lygurgus borne. for to been hair  
The which alas. hath yolden up the breath  
As a serpent. stungen unto the death  
And with his wound. new fresh and green  
In therber. lieth that pity is to seen  
And hath so lain. all most all this day  
That when Lygurgus hard this affray  
And wist his child was deed. & had no more  
little wonder. though that he were woe  
For suddenly. the Importable smart 
The sorrow the king ligurgus made for the death of his child & the lamentation of the queen   
Ran anon. and hent him by the heart  
That for constrain. of his deadly pain  
thorough out he felt. koruen every vain  
The rage 'gan mine. in him so deep  
That he can not. but sigh sob and weep  
And with the noise. and lamentation  
The queen distraught. is descended down  
And when she knew. ground of all this sorrow  
It need her no tears for to borrow  
But twenty tyme. by upon a row  
A swoon she fell. unto the ground low  
And stound meal. for this high mischance  
Still as stone. she lyggeth in a trance  
And when it. in to the court was brought  
Therefore Lygurgus alas. I wite him nought  
Upon the cors. with a mortal face  
He fell atones. and 'gan it to embrace  
Sore to gripe. and again up start  
That when Adrastus. 'gan this advert  
Of kingly ruth. and compassion  
From his eyen. there tears fell down  
Eke kings dukes. that about stood  
O only of pity. that is in gentle blood  
No power had the water to restrain  
That on her cheeks. down 'gan to rain  
But all a day. would not suffice  
All her sorrows. in order to devise  
first of the king. and of the queen also  
To tell all. I should never have do  
Nought in the space. all most of an hour  
But when the storms. and sharpshoures  
Of her weeping. was somewhat over gone  
The little cors. was graven under stone  
And Adrastus. in the same tide  
Lygurgus took. alyte out aside  
And full wisely. with his prudent speech  
The queen present. 'gan him for to teach  
That so to sorrow. avail may right nought 
against the the may be no recure   
To murder himself. with his own thought  
Sith los of death. noman may recure  
Though he in woe. perpetuelly endure  
All helpeth not. when the soul is go  
And our life here. who taketh heed thereto  
Is but an exile. and a pilgrimage  
Full of torment. and of bitter rage  
Lyche a see. running to and fro  
Suing an ebb. when the flood is do  
little space. abiding at full  
Of whose sojourn. the ●ope giveth no bull  
Nor king is. nor duke no Emperor  
That may him shroud. again that fatal shower  
Of cruel death. when him list manasse  
To mark a man. with his mortal mace  
That geyneth not. to his salvation  
Nother franchise. ne protection  
And little or nought. may help in this caas  
Save conduit. or supersydeas  
For in this world. who looketh a right  
Is none so great. of power ne of might  
None so rich. shortly ne none so hold  
That he must die. other young or old  
And who in youth passeth this passage  
He is escaped. all the wood rage  
All sorrow and trouble. of this present life  
replenished. with contek war and strife  
which seld or never. stand in surety  
wherefore best is. as seemeth unto me  
No man grudge. but of high prudence  
The sonde of god. take in patience  
And ye that be so manly to  
your life to drown. in tournement and in woe  
For loss of thing. that ye list to see  
which in no wise. recured may be  
Is great folly. and undyscrecyon  
And thus Adrastus. hath conveyed down  
The substance hole. of that he would say  
Till that he fond. a time for to pray  
Conuenyente. for Isyphyle  
Beseeching him. for to have pity  
Of that she hath. his highness  
Not wilfully. but reklesnesse  
first that he would. his domes to divide  
Mercy prefer. and set right aside  
at request and prayer. of hem all  
Of this unhap. and mischief that is befall  
By hasty rigour. and not to vengeance  
But thing aforne. in his purveyance  
who to wretches. doth mercy in her dread  
Shall mercy find. when he hath most need  
And sith he hath. power might and space  
let him take this lady to his grace  
For lack of ruth. that she nought die  
But though the queen. 'gan again reply  
And platly said. as in this matter  
Availeth not. request nor prayer  
pity mercy. no remission  
But if it be. by this condition  
But if the serpent. cause of all this sorrow  
Though his labour. lay his heed to borrow  
This is final. and utter recompense  
To find grace. for her great offence  
Or shortly shed. blood for blood  
And when the Greeks. her answer understood  
All of one accord. in her best wise  
Took on 'em. this adventures emprise  
For love only of Isyphyle  
And 'gan to ride. environ the country  
By hills vales. roches and eke caves  
In dyches dark. and in old graves  
By every cost. searching up and down  
Tyll●at last. full famous of renown  
The worthy knight. Parthonolope 
How parthonolope saw first this serpent   
was the first. that happened to see  
This hideous serpent. by a river side  
great and horrible. stern and full of pride  
Under a roche. by a bank low  
And in all haste. he hent a sturdy bow  
And there in set. an arrow filed keen  
And through the body. spotted blue and green  
Full mightily. he made it for to glide  
And rent out a sword. hanging by his side  
Smote of his heed. and anon it hent  
And therewith all. 'gan the queen present  
Where thorough. her sorrow parcel 'gan a suage  
And thus of prowess. and of high courage  
This manly man. Parthonolope  
Hath reconciled. fair Isyphyle  
Unto grace. fully of the queen  
Her ire avoided. and her old tene  
And by Adrastus. mediation  
Lring Lygurgus. granted a pardon  
To this lady. that from all danger fire  
She was restored. to her liberty  
In her palace. all her life to dwell  
Though Johan Bochas. the contrary tell  
For this author. affirmed out of dread  
That when this child. was by the serpent deed  
She durst not. for her great offence  
Never after come in presence  
Of Lygurgus. but of intention  
Fled anon out. of that region  
A●te heart she took. the child's death so sore  
what fell of her. I find can no more  
Than ye have herd. me a fore specify  
And the kingdom. but kookes lie 
Nota De Ligurgus rege regni tracee   
Of Lygurgus. was I called trace  
And as I read. in another place  
He was the same mighty champion  
To Athenes. that came with palamon  
Against his brother. that called was Arcyte  
Lad in his char. with four boles white  
Upon his heed. a wretch of gold full fine  
And I find eke. how Bacchus god of wine 
Bacchus deus vinum   
with this king. was whilom at debate  
only for he. pompous and elate  
destruction died. to his wines  
And for he first. allay set on wines  
Meynte water. where they were to strong  
And this Bacchus. for the great wrong  
Broke his limbs. and dreynte him in the see  
Of Lygurgus. ye get no more of me  
But the troth. if ye list verryfye 
Notandun de xii arborius in libro bochacii de geneologya deorum   
Reed of gods. the geneologye  
lineally. her kindred by degrees  
Ibraunched out. upon twelve trees  
Made by Bochas. Decertaldo called  
Among poets. in italy stalled  
Next francis. petrarke suing in certain  
Unto Greeks. I will return again  
To tell forth. shortly if I can  
Of her Journey. that they have begun  
How Adrastus. hath his leave take  
Of Lygurgus. with his brows black  
And departing. with saint Johan to borrow  
Made his wards. on the next morrow  
So well beseen. so mighty and so strong  
wonder early. when the lark song  
with a trumpet. warned every man  
To be ready. in all the haste they can  
For to run. and no longer letting make  
And so they have. the right way take  
Toward Thebes. the Greeks everichone  
That such a number. gathered in to one  
Of worthy knights. never afore was sayne  
when they in fere. moustrens in a plain  
And they ne stint. by none occasion  
Till they become. even afore the town  
And pight her tents. proudly as I read  
Under the walls. in a green meed  
And when the Thebans. weren beset about  
The manly knights. would a issued out  
And have scarmesshed. in her lusty pride  
with her foemen. on that other side  
But by bidding of Ethyocles  
All thilk night. they kept himself in peace  
By cause only. that it was so late  
with great await. set at every gate  
Men of arms. all the night waking  
On the walls. by bidding of the king  
lest there were. treynes or treason  
And on the coures. and in the chief dongon  
He set up men. to make mortal souns  
with brazen horns. and loud clarions  
Of full intent. the watches for to keep  
In his ward. that no man ne sleep  
And Greeks proudly. all the long night  
Lryndly fires. and made full great light  
Set up lodging. upon every side  
Like as they sold. ever there abide  
Compass the town. there was no void space  
But all beset. her foemen to menace  
And whiles they. afore the city lay 
the forraye that the Greeks made in the country about thebes   
On every cost. they sent out the forraye  
brent towns. thorpes and villages  
with great ravin. making her pillages  
Spoil and rob. and brought home victual  
And all manner sorts of bestayle  
Sheep and neat. and in her cruel rage  
with hounds slow. all that was savage  
heart and hind. both buk and do  
The black boar. and the wild roe  
The fat swine. and the tusshy bore  
carrying all home. for the Greeks store  
wheat and wine. for her advantage  
Hay and oats. fodder and forage  
with this kalends. as hem think due  
Greeks 'gan the Thebans to salve  
Mynystring hem. occasions fell  
The siege set. shortly for to tell  
Of full intent. in her hatfull pride  
For life or death. there upon to abide  
Who so ever therewith be aggrieved  
Till they fully. her purpose have achieved  
There may thereof. be maked no reles  
And of this. full ware Ethyocles  
'Gan in party. greatly marvel  
when that he saw. the great apparel  
Of the Greeks. the city round about  
And in himself. had a manner doubt  
None at point. what was best to do  
For thilk tyme. it stood with him so  
That to some. abiding in the town  
He had in heart. great suspection  
lest toward him. they were unstable  
And to his brother. in party favourable  
For in the city. there was variance 
The variance in thebes that city among hem self   
which unto him. was a great meschaunce  
For in his need. shortly he ne wist  
Upon whom. that he might tryste  
For they were not all of one intent  
For which he hath. for his council sent  
All his lords. and the old queen  
which as he dempte. were pure and clean  
Hole of one heart. and not variable  
Of old expert. and alway found stable  
requiring him. by cause they were wise  
All openly. to tell her advice  
where it where. bet plainly in her sight  
with his brother. to treaten or to fight  
And some gave. a full blunt sentence  
which had of were. none experience  
Said it was best. and not be afeard  
To try his right. manly with his sword  
And some also. that were more prudent  
Spoke unto him. by good advisement  
And list not spare. but their conceit told  
How it was best. his covenant for to hold  
And to perform. his hest made tofore  
To his brother. lyche as he was sworn  
So that his sword. the worse to make him speed  
Be not found varyaunte. fro no deed  
For none hatred. rancour neither pride 
Nota The words of the queen Jocasta unto ethyocles the king   
And though the queen. took him out a side  
Told him plainly. it was unsytting  
Such doubleness. to find in a king  
And said him eke. all though he were strong  
To his brother. how he died wrong  
As all the town. will record in deed  
And bear witness. if it came to need  
wherefore let us shape another mean  
In this matter. while that it is green  
Or this quarrel. gone of volunte  
Turn in the fine. of more adversity  
For if it be. darreyned by battle  
who trusteth most. may likely fail  
And it is folly. by sho●te advisement 
How perilous it is to be gounned by Marces in any quarrel   
To put a strife. in Martis judgment  
For hard it is. when a Juge is wood  
To treat afore him. without loss of blood  
And if we put it hole in Mart  
That with the sword. his laws doth coarte  
Than may it hap. where ye be glad or loath  
Thou and thy brother. shall repent both  
And many another. that is here present  
Of your trespass. that been Innocent  
And many thousand. in caas shall complain  
For the debate. only of you twain  
And for your strife. shalt find full unswote  
And for thou art. ginning ground and rote  
Of this Injury. and this great unright  
To the gods. that here of have a sight  
Thou shalt a counts. and a reckoning make  
For all tho. that perysshen for thy sake  
And now the cause. driven is so far  
Sudden peace. or hasty war  
Must follow anon. for the fatal chance  
Of life and death. dependeth in balance  
And no man may by no craft restrain  
That upon one. platly of these twain  
The sort moat fall. like as it doth torn  
whose that ever. laugh or morn  
And thou art drive. so narrow to the stake  
That thou mayst not. more delays make  
But fight or treat. this quarrel for to fine  
Be none engine. thou canst it not decline  
An hasty casse. as folk say that been wise  
Redress requireth. by full short advice  
For to treat long. now availeth nought  
For to the point. soothly thou art brought  
Either to keep. thy possession  
Or in all haste. devoid out of this town  
where thou therewith. be wroth or well apaid  
Now note well. all that I have said  
And by my council. wisely condescend  
wrong wrought. of old newly to amend  
The time is come. it will be none other  
wherefore in haste. treat well with thy brother  
And again him. make none resistance  
But to thy lords. fully give credence  
By whose council. sith they be so sage  
let Polymyte. rejoice his heritage  
And that shall turn. most to thine aveyll  
Loo here is hole. the fine of our council  
And shortly tho. for verray ire wroth  
Though he thereto. froward was or loath  
Accorded is. hearing all the pres  
If he algate. treat shall for peace  
It must be. by this condition  
That he would have. the domination  
first in chief to himself reserved  
As him thought. he had it well deserved  
And save to him. hole the sovereignty  
And under him. in Thebes the city  
He to grant. with a right good cheer  
Polymyte. to regne for a year  
Than avoid. and not resort again  
For more to cleyme. was not but in vain  
Thus would he done. only for her sake  
And other wise. he would none end make  
with the Greeks. what fortune ever fall  
And finally. among his lords all  
There was not one. of high ne low estate  
That would gone on bassate  
Out of the town. neither for bet ne worse  
Till Jocasta. made saddle her horse  
And cast herself. to gone for this treat  
To make an end. if it would be  
And this was done. the morrow right by time  
Upon the hour. when it drowe to prime  
And with her went. her young daughters twain  
Antigone. and the fair Imeyne  
Of her main. full many one about  
At gate she was conveyed out  
And of purpose. she made first her went  
On horse back. to the king Adrastus' tent  
He and his lords. being all I fere  
And they receive her. with right glad cheer  
Suing her. like to her degree  
On every half. full great humanity  
Polymyte rising. fro his place  
And humbely. his mother 'gan embrace  
●ryssed her. and than Antigone  
And Imeyne. excellent of beauty  
And for that they were passingly fair  
great was the pres. concourse and repair  
Of the ladies. for to have a sight  
And Jocasta. proceedeth anon right  
To Adrastus. her matter to purpose  
And 'gan to him. openly disclose  
Thintent and will. of Ethyocles  
And by what mean. he desireth peace  
To him reserved. as she can specify  
The honour and hole. and the regal  
with the sceptre. & crown fro him not divided  
But hole to him. as he hath provided  
And Polymyte. under this condition  
Under him to regnen. in the town  
As a subject. by sufferance of his brother  
But the Greeks. thoughten all another  
And specially. worthy Tydeus 
The answer of tydeus to the queen   
Plainly affirming. it should not be thus  
For he will have no conditions  
But set a side. all exceptions  
No thing reserved. as in special  
But hole the lordship. regaly and all  
Polymyte. it fully to possede  
In Thebes crowned. verrayly in deed  
As rightful king. put in possession  
Lyche the covenants. and convention  
Imade of old. assured and essealed  
which shall not now. of new be repleted  
But stable and hole. in his strength stand  
And let him so. platly understand  
And first that he. devoid him out of the town  
And deliver. the sceptre and the crown  
To his brother. and make there of no more  
And shortly else. it shall be bought full sore  
Or this matter. brought be to an end  
For Greeks is there none. that shall hens wend  
Or that our right. which is us denied  
with life or death. dereyned be and tried  
we ne will. erst fro this town rennewe  
And if him list. all this to eschew  
And all mischief. stinten and appease  
To either part. he may do great ease  
Thus I mean. for his advantage  
deliver up hole. the true heritage  
To his brother. for a year to endure  
And Greeks shall him. fully assure  
By what bound. that him list devise  
The year complete. in our best wise  
To him deliver. again possession  
without strife. or contradiction  
And to his fine. Justly hold us to  
And if it fall. that he would not so  
let him not wait. but only after war  
The hour is come. we will it not defer  
●oo here is all. and thus ye may report  
To him again. when that ye resort  
From which a point. we cast us not to vary  
And yet to him. Amphyorax contrary  
Full plainly said in conclusion  
This fine shall cause a destruction  
Of hem eachone. if it forth proceed  
To be performed. and executed in deed  
But thilk tyme. for all his eloquence  
He had in sooth. but little evidence  
For where so ever. it meant good or ill  
King Adrastus. bade him to be still  
And though Jocasta. as wisdom did her teach  
Humble of her port. with full soft speech  
'Gan seek means. in her fantasy  
If she might. the ire modefye  
Of the Greeks. to make 'em to incline  
In any wise. her rancour for to fine  
She died her devoir. and her busy cure  
But though befell. a wonder adventure  
Cause and ground. of great confusion  
Greeks perturbing. and eke the town  
And it tell. may not me asterte  
For which a while. my style I moat divert  
And shortly tell. by description  
Of a Tiger. dwelling in the town  
which from a kingdom. besyden adiacente  
Out of Egypte. was to Thebes sent  
Which best. by record of scripture  
Is most swift. as of his nature  
And of his kind. also most savage  
And most cruel. when he is in his rage  
And as clerks. maken mention  
He of body. resembleth to a lion  
And like a greyhound. the mosel and the heed  
And of eyen. as any fire read  
Eke of his skin. written as I find  
Lyche a panter. conversant in ynde  
With all manner. hues and colours  
And is full oft deceived with mirrors  
By fraud of hunters. and false appearance  
showed in glass. without exystence  
When his kyndles. arn by sleight Itake  
And he deceived. may no rescuse make  
And like a lamb. was this Tiger tame  
Again kind. mine author write the same  
And this best. marvelous to see  
Was sent. to Imeyne and antigone  
Which unto hem. died great comfort  
And could play. and make great disport  
Like a whelp. that is but young of age  
And to wight. died no damage  
No more in south. than doth a little hound  
And it was worth. many a houndred pound  
Unto the king. for ay in his grievance  
There was no thing. died him more pleasance  
That for no treasure. it might not be bought  
For when that he was. in pensive or in thought  
It put him out. of his heaviness  
And thilk tyme. the story died express  
That Jocasta. treated for a pes  
This tame Tiger. in party rekles  
Out of the gates. in sight of many a man  
In to the field. wyldly out ran  
And casually. running to and fro  
In and out. as doth a tame Ro  
Greeks weening. that were young of age  
That this Tiger. had be savage  
And cruelly besecting all the place  
Round abounte. 'gan him to enchase  
Till he was deed. and slain in the field  
The death of whom. when that they beheld  
The proud Thebans. which on the walls stood  
They run down. full furious and wood  
weening he had. been slain of despite  
Taking her horse. without more respite  
Fully in purpose. with Greeks for to fight  
The tigers death. t'avenge if they might  
And out they road. without governayll  
And full proudly. Greeks 'gan assail  
And of hatred. and high disdain  
Fill upon 'em. that have the Tiger slain  
And cruelly quyten 'em her meed  
That many Greek. in the green meed  
By the force. and the great might  
Of her foemen. lay slain in the sight  
The Tigers death. so dear they a bought  
So mortally. the Thebans on hem wrought  
That all the Ooste. in the field ligging  
Was atoned. of this sudden thing  
And in this while. of rancour reckless  
Out of Thebes. road Ethyocles  
And with him the worthy king Tremoure  
Of his hand a noble werryoure  
That made Greeks. to forsake her place  
And to her tents. 'gan 'em enchase  
And mid the field. as they together met  
On horse bake. with spears sharp whet  
Of verray hate. and envious pride  
Full many one. was deed on every side  
The which thing. when Tydeus espieth 
The great manhood of worthy tydeus   
Wood as a lion. to horse back hieth  
As he that was. never a deal afeard  
But ran on him. and met 'em in the beard  
And maugre 'em. in his cruelty  
He made 'em fie. home to her Lytee  
Him pursuing. of full deadly hate  
That many one. lay slain at gate  
Gaping upryghtes. with her wounds wide  
That utterly. they durst not abide  
There for the sword. of this Tydeus  
He was on 'em. so passing furious  
So many Theban. he roof to the heart  
That when Jocasta. the slaughter 'gan advert  
Polymyte. she 'gan pray full fair  
To make Greeks. home again repair  
And that they would stenten to assail  
For thilk day. and seasen her battle  
Atte whose request. plainly and prayer  
And at reverence. of his mother dear  
Polymyte. her heart to comfort  
Greeks made. home again resort  
And Tydeus to stinten. of his chase  
And they of Thebes. hasting a great pace  
Full trist and heavy. been entered in to the town  
And for the Tiger. in conclusion  
As ye have herd. first began this strife  
That many Theban. that day lost his life  
And reculees. have yoleden up the breath  
In thavenging. of the Tiger is death  
And all this while. duly as she ought  
The queen Jocasta. humbly besought  
Lring Adrastus. only of his grace  
Some mean way. wisely to purchase  
To make a peace. atween the brethren twain  
And the treat. so prudently ordain  
On either party. that no blood be shed  
And this Adrastrus. wise and right sad  
For Greeks party. answer gave anon  
That other end. shortly get she none  
Lyche as the lords. fully been advised  
That Tydeus. hath tofore devised  
And when she saw. it may none other be  
She leave took. and home to the city  
She is repaired. having to her guide  
Polymyte riding by her side  
And Tydeus. lad Antigone  
And of Archadye. Prothonolope  
The worthy king. died his busy pain  
To be attendaunte. upon fair Imeyne  
whose heart she hath. to her service lured  
And he again. hath portrayed and figured  
Mid of his breast. that lightly may not pass  
Hole the features. of her freshly face  
Him thought she was. so fair a creature  
And though that he. durst not him discure  
Yet in his heart. as farforth as he can  
He hath avowed. to be her true man  
U●wyste to her. plainly and vnknowe  
How he was marked. with Cupydys' bow  
with his arrow. suddenly werreyed  
And to the gate. the ladies conveyed  
Ben entered in. for it drew to eve  
Greeks of hem. taking though her leave  
Though some of 'em. were loath to depart  
yet of wisdom. they durst not inparte  
Under a conduit. to entren in to the town  
lest it turned. to her confusion  
Though some books. the contrary say  
But mine author. is platly there again  
And fermeth. in his opinion  
That Tydeus. of high discretion  
Of wilfulness. nor of folly  
Ne would as tho. put in party  
Nother himself. ne none of his feres  
And the ladies. with heavenly there  
angelic. of look and countenance  
Lyche as it is put. in remembrance  
at her entering. fro Greeks in to the town  
Polymyte. of great affection  
The queen besought. thilk night not fine  
For to assay. if she might incline  
Ethyocles. of conscience and right  
To keep covenant. as he hath behyght  
Full year ago. with the superlusage  
lest the contrary. turn to damage  
first on himself. & sith on many other more  
And thus from Thebes. the Greeks been a go  
To her tents. and rest hem all the night  
And Lucyna the moan. shone full bright  
within Thebes. on the chief dongon  
when Jocasta. made relation  
Unto the king. and told him all the guise  
How that the Greeks. utterly despise  
His proffer made. by false collusion  
Only except. the convention  
Of old engrossed. by great purveyance  
That is enroled. and put in remembrance  
Upon which. finally they will rest  
Him conseyling. her though for the best  
To confirm him. to that he was bound  
lest in the fine. falseness him confound  
But all her counsel. he set at no price  
He dempte himself. so prudent and so wise  
For he was wilful. and he was Indurate  
And in his heart. of malice obstinate  
And utterly advised. in his thought  
within Thebes. his brother get right nought  
And in his error. thus I let him dwell  
And of Greeks. forth I will you tell  
which all that night. kept himself close  
And on the morrow. when tytan up a rose  
They armed 'em. and 'gan 'em ready make  
And of assent. have the field Itake  
with the Thebans. that day out of doughte  
For to fighten. if they issue out  
And Adrastus. in full trysty wise  
In the field. his wards 'gan devise  
As he that was. of all deceits ware  
And richly armed in his char  
Amphyorax come. with his meinie  
Full renowned. of antiquity  
And well expert. by cause he was old  
And while that Greeks. as I have you told  
were besyeste. her wards to ordain  
Mid of the field. befell a caas sudden  
Full unhappy. loathsome and audible  
And lyche a thing. that were invisible  
This old bishop. with char & horse certain 
How bishop amphiorax suddenly fell down in to hell   
Dysapered. and no more was seen  
only of fate. which no man can expelle  
The earth openeth. and he fill down to hell  
with all his folk. that upon him abode  
And suddenly. the ground that he on stood  
Closed again. and together shit  
That never after. Greeks with him met  
And thus the devil. for his old outrages  
Lyche is desert. paid him his wages  
For he full low. is descended dewn  
In to the dark. and black rogyon  
where that Pluto. is crowned and Istalled  
with his queen. Proserpyna called  
with whom this bishop. hath made his mansion  
Perpetuelly. as for his guerdon  
Loo here the meed of idolatry  
Of rights old. and of false mammentrye  
Loo what avaylen incantations  
Of exorsysmes. and coniurysons  
what stood him stead. his nygramancye  
Calculation. or astronomy  
what veiled him. the heavenly mansions  
diverse aspects. or constellations  
The end is not. but sorrow and mischance  
Of 'em that setten. her utter affiance  
In such works. superstitious  
Or trust on 'em. he is ungracious  
Record I take. shortly for to tell  
Of this bishop. sunken down to hell  
whose woeful end. about in every cost  
Such a rumour. hath made in the host  
That the noise. of this uncouth thing  
Is I run. and I come to the king  
How this vengeance. is unwardly fall  
And he anon. made a trumpet call  
All his people. out of the field again  
And everichone. assembled on a plain  
Tofore the king. and also round about  
Every man of his life in doubt  
Full piteously. 'gan to frown and louvre  
lest that the ground. him all would devour  
And swalue 'em. in his dark kave  
And they ne can. no recure 'em to save  
For neither force. ne manhood may hem avail  
In such mischief. the value of a mail  
For he that was wisest. could most  
To search and seek. thorough out all the host  
Amphyorax. when he lest wend  
To hell is sunken. and can not him defend  
To him the tyme. unknown and unwyste  
In whom whilom. was all the Greeks tryste  
Her hole comfort. and her affiance  
But all atones. for this sudden chance  
And this mischief. they 'gan 'em all despair  
Home to Grece. that they will repair  
This was the purpose. of hem everychoons  
And on the walls. of Thebes lay her soon  
Rejoicing hem. of this unhappy eure  
weening thereby. greatly to recure  
And on her towers. as they looken out  
They on Greeks. enviously 'gan shout  
And of despite. and great enuyte  
Bad hem fools. gone ho●● to her country  
Sith they have lost. her comfort & her succour  
Her false prophet. and her dyvynoure  
where through. her part greatly is appaired  
And in this wise. Greeks dysespeyred  
Dempte plainly. by tokens evident  
This case fall. by so●● enchantement  
By witchcraft. or by false sorcery  
Against which. may be no remedy  
Trysty defence. help nor succour  
And when Adrastus. heard this clautoure  
He busy was. against this perturbance  
To provide. some manner chevysance  
And to him calleth. such counsel as he wist  
For life or death. that he might trust  
requiring hem. but in words few  
In this mischief. her motion to show  
And declare by good advisement  
what to Greeks. were most expedient  
To remedyen. and make no delay  
The uncouth noise. and the great affray  
That Greeks made. with clamour Importune  
And now and now ever. in one contune  
And they that weren. most manly & most wise  
Shortly said. it were a great cowardice  
The emprise. that they have undertake  
For dread of death. so suddenly forsake  
It were to 'em. a perpetual shame  
And our hindering. unto Greeks name  
And better it were. to every werryoure  
Manly to die. with worship and honour  
Than like a coward. with the life endure  
For ous shamed. hard is to recure  
His name again. of what estate he be  
And sith Greeks. of old antiquity  
As of knighthood. who so list take heed  
Ben so famous. and so renomede  
If now of new. the shining of her fame  
eclipsed were. with any spot of blame  
It were a thing. uncouth for to here  
Of whose renon. the beams yet been clear  
Through all the world. where as they have passed  
And been nor yet. dyrked ne defaced  
By no report. neither on see ne on land  
Thing to forsake. that they took on hand  
And by ensample. of our progenitors  
That whilom weren. so manly conquerors  
tofore that we. in to Grece wend  
Of thing begun. let us make an end  
And part not. nor severe fro this town  
Till it be brought. to destruction  
walls towers. crested and embatayled  
And for were. strongly appareled  
Be first down. bete that no thing be seen  
But all together. to the earth plain  
Be low laid. or that we resort  
That afterward. men may of us report  
That we began. knightly we have achened  
Upon our soon. with worship unrepreved  
This was the counsel. shortly and thadvice  
Of the Greeks. that manly were and wise  
That none aforn. were marked with no blame  
And specially. such as dread shame  
And fully cast. what fortune every tide  
On her purpose. to the end abide  
That on no part. her honour not appall  
And this counsel. Greeks one and all  
Ben condescended. for more happy speed  
In stead of him. that was so late deed  
Amphyorax. buried deep in hell  
That could whilom. to the Greeks tell  
Of things hide. how it shall fall afore  
In stead of whom. now they have him lost  
They casten him. wisely to purchase  
Some prudent man. to occupy his place  
That in such thing. might hem most avail  
thorough story. of his divinal  
By craft of sort. or of prophecy  
If any such. they conden out espy  
And among all. her purpose to attain 
How Greeks chosen hem a new dyvynoure in the stead of amphyorax the bishop   
As I find. they have chosen twain  
most renowned. of hem every eachone  
And Menolyppus. called was that one  
And Tardynyus. eke that other height  
And for he had. most favour in her sight  
This Tardynyus. was chosen and preferred  
And her choice. Greeks have not arred  
For whilom. her learned is emprise  
Of his master. Amphyorax the wise  
And was discipline. under his doctrine  
And of intent. that he shall termine  
Unto Greeks. things that shall fall  
And as bishop. mitred in his stall  
Done for him. in many uncouth wise  
In the Temple. to god's sacrifice  
And thus confirmed. and stalled in his see  
And fell days. stood in his degree  
After his master. with full great honour  
Of Greeks chose. to be successor  
And all this tyme. in story as it is told  
Full great mischief. of hunger thrust and cold  
And of Thebans. as they yssuen out  
Say many one slain in the rout  
On either part. of fortune as they met  
Her mortal swords. were so sharp whet  
And Tydeus. among hem of the town  
from day to day. playeth the lion  
So cruelly. where so that he road  
That Thebans none. afore his face abode  
He made 'em. through his high renon  
So great slaughter. and occasion  
That as the death. fro his sword they fled  
And who came next. laid his heed to wed  
He quite himself. so like a manly knight  
That where he went. he put 'em to the flight  
And maugre 'em. in his cruelty  
He drofe 'em home. in to their Lytee  
Him pursuing. proudly to the gate  
That unto him. they bore so deadly hate  
That they hem cast. by slight or some engine  
To bring him. unwarely to his fine  
And laid await. for him day and night  
But o alas. this noble manly knight  
Upon a day. as he 'gan home enchase  
And mortaly made. him to lose her place  
And sued 'em. almost to the town  
That cause was. of his destruction  
For one alas. that on the walls stood  
Which all that day. upon him abode  
With a quarrel. sharp heeded for his sake  
Marked him. with a bow of brake  
So cruelly making. none areste 
How piteously worthy tydeus was slain with a quarrel   
Till it was passed. both back and breast  
Where thorough alas. there was none other read  
Nor leechcraft. that he moat be deed  
There may thereof. be made no delays  
And yet was he. holden in his days  
The best knight. and the most manly man  
As mine author. well rehearse can  
But for all that. was there no defence  
Again the stroke. of deaths violence  
And Bochas write. or he was fully deed  
He was by Greeks. presented with the heed  
Of him that gave his last fatal wound  
And he was called. like as it is found  
Menolyppus. I can not other tell 
How he that slow tydeus called was menolippus   
But thilk day. Thebans wax so fell  
Upon Greeks. that under her Light  
The manly king. Parthonolope  
Islayn was. even afore the gates  
And there also. armed bright in plates  
The famous king. called ypomedon  
The same day. as made is mention  
On horse back. manly as he fought  
at bridge. even upon the draft  
Beset with pres. casually was drowned  
And thus fortune. hath on Greeks frouned  
On every side. thilk unhappy day  
But all the manner. tell I ne may  
Of her fighting. nor her slaughter in sooth  
More to declare. than mine author doth  
But thilk day. I find as ye may seen  
When phoebus. passed was merydyen  
And fro the south. westward 'gan 'em draw  
His guilt tresses. to bathen in the wawe  
The Theban king. fell Ethyocles  
Rote of unrest. and causer of unhaps  
The slaughter of Greeks. when that he beheld  
Armed in steel. he come out in to the field  
Full desirous. in that sudden heat  
Polymyte. at good leisure to meet  
singularly. with him to have a do  
For in this world. he hated no man so  
He sat so nigh. emprented in his heart  
Whoos coming out. his brother 'gan advert  
Upon his stead. in the opposite  
And had againward. also great delight  
To meeten him. if fortune assent  
Thenvious fire. so her hearts brent  
With hate cankered. of unkind blood  
And like two Tigers. in her rage wooed  
With spears sharp. ground for the nonce  
So as they ran. and met both atones  
Polymyte. through plates mail and shield  
roof him through out. & smote him in to the field  
But when he saw. the streams of his blood  
Rail about. in manner of a ●lood  
All suddenly. of compassion  
From his courser. he a light down  
And bretherly. with a piteous face  
To save his life. 'gan him to unbrace  
And fro his wound. of new affection  
Full busy was. to pull out the tronchon  
Of love only. handling him right soft  
But o alas. while he lay● a loft  
Full yrously. Ethyocles the fell  
Of all this sorrow. verray source and well  
with a dagger. in all his pains smart 
How everich of the theban brethren slow other to f●ren the city   
His brother smote. unwardly to the heart  
which all her life. had be so wroth  
And thus the Thebans were slain bathe  
at entry. even afore the town  
But Greeks tho been availed down  
Out of the field. the worthy knights all  
And in Thebes land. as any shall  
The city arose. when her king was d●de  
And to the gates. armed foot and heed  
Out of the town. come many proud Theban  
And some of 'em. upon the walls ran  
And 'gan to shout. that pity was to here  
And they without. of her life in where  
without comfort. or consolation  
Dysespyred. run home to the town  
And Greeks followen after at back  
That many one. that day gooth to wrack  
And as her foemen. proudly hem assail  
Full many greeks. through plates & through mail  
was shut through. out pressing at walls  
And beaten of. which with great round balls  
That here lay one. and another yonder  
And the noise. more hideous than thunder  
Of gone shot. and arblastes ●he  
So londroute rung. that many worthy Greek  
There lost his life. they were on 'em so fell  
And at the gates. shortly for to tell  
at Greeks pres. to entren the city  
They of Thebes. in her cruelty  
with hem met. full furious and wo●e  
And mortally. as they again hem stood  
Men might see. spears shyner a sunder  
That to behold it was a verray wonder  
How they feign. with daggers & with swords  
thorough the vizor. having at beards  
Piercing also. through the round mayles  
Rent out pieces. of her avantayles  
That nought availeth. the mighty gestran  
Through breast & neck. that the mighty spears ran  
Her wepenes were. so sharp ground & whet  
In there armour. that there were no let  
For there lay one. trodden under foot  
And yonder one. pierced to the heart road  
Here lyet one deed. and there another lame  
This was the play. and the mortal game  
Attwene Thebans. and the Greeks proud  
That the swoons. and the cries loud  
Of 'em that lay. and yoleden up the ghost  
was heard full fer. about in many cost  
And at gates. and sailing of the wall 
How all the gentle blood of the land of grenes & of thebes the city destroyed was upon a day   
I slain was. all the blood Royal  
Both of the town. and of Greeks land  
And all the worthy. knyhtes of her hand  
And of lords. I shall not fain  
On greeks side. a live were but twain  
Lring Adrastus. and Campaneus  
That day to 'em. was so ungracious  
And for tytan. westred was so low  
That noman might. unneaths other know  
though of the town shut her gates fast  
with ●arres round made. for to last  
In which no wight. carve may ne hew  
And Adrastus. with a Greeks few  
Repeyred is home. unto his tent  
And all that night. he hasted and spent  
For his unhap. in sorrow complaining  
And they in Thebes. the next day suing  
Her devoir died. and her busy cure  
To ordain. and make a sepulture  
For her king. Islayne in the field  
And offered up. his banner and his shield   

It were a death. to any man a live 
ward ●he● bes   
And if I should. by and by dyscryve  
their tender weeping. and her woeful bale  
Her complaints. with taces deed and pale  
Thereof I might. make a new tale  
All most. a day you to occupy  
And as mine author. clearly doth certify  
Through out Grece. fro all the regions  
Out of cities. and Royal towns  
Come all the ladies. and women of estate  
Full heavy cheered. and disconsolate  
To this assemble. to forn as I you told  
I purpose fully. her Journey for to hold  
Toward Thebes. these sorrowful creatures  
There to bewail. her woeful adventures  
Taquyte himself. of troth in womanhead  
To her lords. which in the field lay deed  
And as the story. liketh to declare  
All this Journey. they went on foot bare  
Like as they had gone. on pilgrimage  
In token of morning. barbed the visage  
wimpled eachone. and in burnette weeds  
Not in chares. drawn forth with steeds  
Nor on palfrays. black neither white  
The silly women. could hem not delight  
To hold her way. but bare foot they went  
So faithfully. everichone they mente  
thorough heaviness. defaced of her hew  
And as I find. they were all true  
Now was not that a wonder for to see  
So many true. out of oon country  
Atones gathered. in a company  
And faithful all. books can not lie  
Both in her port. and Inward in meaning  
Unto my doom. it was an uncouth thing  
Among a thousand women or twain  
To fynden one. that could in heart feign  
It was a marvel. not oft seen afore  
For seld in fields. groweth any corn  
But if some weed. spring up there among  
Men allay wines. when they be to strong  
But her troth. was meynt with none alleys  
They were so true. fond at all assays  
And they ne stint. upon her Journee  
Till that they come. there as they would be  
where Adrastus written. as I find  
Say in his tent. all of colour ind  
Greatly marveled. when that he beheld  
The number of 'em. spread through all the field  
Clad all in black. and bare foot everichone  
Out of his tent. he dressed him anon  
Upon his hand. the king Campaneus  
Full trist in heart. and face right piteous  
Again the women forth. they went I fere  
And to behold. the woeful cheer  
The woeful cries. also when they met  
The sorrowful sighs. in her breasts shut  
The tears new. distilling on her faces  
And the swooning. in many sundry places  
When they her lords. alive not ne found  
But in the field. through girt with many wound  
Say stark upright. plainly to indite  
with deadly eyen. turned up the white  
who made sorrow. or felt her heart rive  
For her lord. but the fair Argyve  
who can now weep. but Deyphyle  
Tydeus for she. ne might feel  
whose constrayntes. were so keen  
That Adrastus. might not abstain  
To behold the ladies. so complain  
wishing her heart. parted were on twain  
But yet alas. both eve and morrow 
how cursed Creon will not suffer the bodies neither to be buried ne to be brent.   
A thing there was. that doubled all her sorrow  
That old Creon. father of felony  
Ne would suffer. thorough his tyranny  
The deed bodies. be buried neither I brent  
But with beasts. and hounds to be rent  
He made 'em all. upon an heap be laid  
whereof the women. tryste and evil apaid  
For verray dooll. it was no wonder  
Her hearts felt. all most rain a sunder  
And as my master. list to indite  
All clad in black. with her wymples white  
with great honour. and due reverence  
In the Temple. of the goddess Clemence  
They abode the space. of forty night  
Till Theseus. the noble worthy knight  
Duke of athens. with his chivalry  
repaired home. out of Femynye  
And with him lad. full fair upon the seen  
thorough his manhood. Ipolyta the queen  
And her sister. called Emelye  
And when these women. 'gan first espy  
This worthy duke. as he came riding  
●ryng Adrastus. him all conveyeng  
The women brought. to his presence  
which him besought. to give 'em audience  
And all atones. swooning in the place  
Full humbly. prayed him of grace  
To rue on 'em. her harms to redress  
But if ye list. to see the gentleness  
Of Theseus. how he hath him borne 
How the final destruction of thebes is compendiously rehearsed in the knight tale   
if ye remember. ye have herd it to for●e  
well rehearsed. at Depforde in the vale  
In the beginning. of the knygtes tale  
first how that he. when he heard 'em speak  
For verray ruth. felt his heart break  
And her sorrows. when he 'gan advert  
From his courser. down anon he start  
Hempskirk comforting. in full good intent  
And in his arms. he hem all up hent  
The knights tale. rehearseth every deal  
From point to point. if ye look weal  
And how this duke. without more abode  
The same day. toward Thebes road  
Full like in sooth. a worthy conqueror  
And in his Host. of chivalry the flower  
And finally. to speaken of this thing  
with old Creon. that was of Thebes king  
How that he fought. & flow him like a knight  
And all his host. put unto flight  
yet as some auctors make mention  
Or Theseus entered. in to the town  
women first. with pykeys and with malles  
with great labour. beat down the walls  
And in her writing. also as they say  
Campaneus. was on the walls slain  
with cast of stone. he was so overlade  
For whom Adrastus. such sorrow made  
That no man might. him release of his pain  
And Jocasta. with her daughters twain  
Full woefully. oppressed of her cheres  
To Athenes. were sent as prisoners  
what fell of 'em. can I not sayne  
But Theseus. mine author write certain  
Out of the field. or he from Thebes went  
He bet it down. and the houses brent  
The people slow. for all her crying loud  
Made the walls. and her towers proud  
Round about. even upon a row  
with the soil. to be laid full low  
That nought was left. but the soil all bare  
And to the women. in releases of her care  
The bones of her lords. that were slain 
The bones of her lords were delivered to the ladies by duke the seus.   
This worthy duke. restored hath again  
And what should 1 than longer dwell  
The old rites. by and by to tell  
Nor the obsequys. in order to devise  
Nor to declare. the manner and the guise  
How the bodies. were to ashes brent  
Nor of the gomes. in the flame spent  
To make the air swetter of reles  
As frankincense. myrrh and aloes  
Nor how the women. round about stood  
Some with milk. and some also with blood  
And some of 'em. with urns made of gold  
when the ashes. fully were made cold  
To enclosen 'em. of great affection  
And bear 'em home. in to her region  
And how that other. full deadly of her look  
For love only. of the bones took  
Hempskirk to keep. for a remembrance  
That to rehearse every observance  
That was done. in the fires bright  
The wake plays. during all the night  
Nor of the wrestling. to tell point by point  
Of 'em that weren. naked and enoint  
How everich other. lug 'gan and shake  
Nor how the women. have their leave take  
Of Theseus. with full great humblesse  
Thanking him. of his worthiness  
That him list. on her woe to rue  
And how that he. his freedom 'gan renew  
with the women. of his high largesse  
I parted hath eke. of his richesse  
And how this duke. Thebes eke forsook  
And to Athenes. the right way took  
with laurer crowned. in sign of victory  
And the palm. of conquest and glory  
Died his honour. duly to Mart  
And how the women. wept when they depart  
with king Adrastus. home again to Arge 
How the king Adrastus with the ladies repaired again home to Arge   
To tell all. it were to great a charge  
And eke also. as ye should understand  
at ginning. I took no more on hand  
By my promise. and in conclusion  
But to rehearse. the destruction  
Of mighty Thebes. shortly and no more  
And thus Adrastus. with his locks hoar  
Still abode. in Arge his city  
Unto his end. ye get no more of me  
Saaf as mine author. liketh to compile  
After that. he lived but a while  
For he was old. or the siege began  
And thought and sorrow. so upon him ran  
The which in sooth. shorted hath his days  
And time set. death maketh no delays  
And all his Joy. passed was and gone  
For of his lords. a live was not one  
But slain at Thebes. ye known all the cas  
And what this king. in Arge buried was  
Full royally. with great solemnity  
It was accounted. in books ye may see  
Four hundred year. as made is mention 
Four hundred year to forn the foundation of rome was thebes fynaly destroyed   
tofore the building. and foundation  
Of grece Rome. so Royally and so large  
When the ladies. departed fro Arge  
To her countries. full tryste and desolate  
Loo here the fine. of conteke and debate  
Loo here the might. of Mars the mighty star  
Loo what it is. to gynne a were  
How it concludeth. ensample ye may see  
first of Greeks. and next of the Lytee  
For either part. hath matter to complain  
And in her strife. ye may see things twain  
The worthy blood. of all Grece spylte  
And Thebes eke. of Amphyon first bylte  
Without recure. brought in to ruin  
And with the soil. made plain as a line  
To wilderness turned. and desert  
And Greeks eke. fall in to poverty  
Both of her men. and also of her good  
For finally. all the gentle blood  
Was shed out there. her wounds were so wide  
To lose final. unto either side  
For in the were. is none exception  
Of high estate. nor low condition  
But as fortune. and fate both I fear  
list to dispose. with her double cheer  
And Bellona. the goddess in her char  
afore provideth. therefore each man beware  
Vnavysed. a were to begin  
For no man wot. who shall lose or win  
And hard it is. when either part loseth  
And doubtless. neither of hem chooseth  
That they must. in all such mortal rage  
Maugre her list. follow great damage  
It may not be. by man's might restrained  
And were in sooth. was never first ordained  
But for sin. folks to chastise  
And as the bible. truly can devise 
Nota How that were first began in heaven by pride & surque die of proud lucifer   
high in heaven. of pride and surquedye  
lucifer. father of envy  
The old serpent. he Leviathan  
Was the first. that ever w●rre began  
When Mycaell. the heavenly champion  
With his fers. vanquished the dragon  
And to hell. cast 'em down full low  
The which serpent. hath the bockell sow  
Through all e●th. of envy and debate  
That unneaths. is there none estate  
Without strife. can live in charity  
For every man. of high and low degree  
envieth now. that other should thrive  
And ground and cause. why that men so scryve  
Is covetise. and false ambition  
That everich. would have domination  
Over other. and tread him under foot  
Which of all sorrow. ginning is and rote  
And christ recordeth. read the book & ye may see  
For lack of love. what mischief there shall be  
For oo people. as he doth devise 
Surget gens contra gentem Luce xxi   
Again another. of hate shall arise  
And after telleth. what divisions  
There shall be. at ween regions  
everich beside other to express  
And all such strife. as he beareth witness  
Lralendes been. I take his word to borrow  
And a ginning. of mischief and of sorrow  
Men have it found. by experience  
But the venom. and the violence  
Of strife of were. of contek and debate  
That maketh lands. bare and desolate  
Shall be proscrypte. and voided out of place  
And Martyrs sword. shall no more menace  
Nor his spear. grievous to sustain  
Shall now no more. whetted be so keen  
Nor he no more. shall his hauberk shake  
But love and peace. in hearts shall awake  
And charity both. in length and breed  
Of new shall. her bright beams spread  
Through grace only. in divers nations  
For to reform. atween regions  
peace and quiet. concord and unity  
And he that is both. one and two and three  
Eke three in one. and sovereign lord of pease  
Which in this exile. for our sake these  
For love only. our troubles to termine  
For to be borne. of a pure virgin  
And let us pray to him that is most good  
That for mankind. shed his heart blood  
Through beseeching. of that heavenly queen  
Wife and mother. and a maid clean  
To send us peace. here in this life present  
And of our sins. perfit amendment  
And Joy eternal. when we hens wend  
Of my tale. thus I make an end   
AMEN  
¶ Hear now endeth as ye may see The destruction of Thebes the Lytee