genealogical chart 
THE ANCIENT HISTORY AND only true and sincere Chronicle of the wars betwixt the Grecians and the Trojans, and subsequently of the first ever cyon of the ancient and famous city of Troy under Lamedon the king, and of the last and final destruction of the same under Priam, written by Daretus a Trojan and Dictus a Grecian both soldiers and present in all the said wars and digested in latin by the learned Guydo de Columpnis and scythes translated in to english verse by john Lydgate Monk of bury. And newly imprinted. An. M.D.L.U.    

To the reader.  
ALthough the battles betwixt the Grecians and the Trojans before the last and final eversion of the City of Troy (as an hisstorye worthy of eterne memory hath passed through the pens of sundry famous poets and great clerks, Greeks, and latins, as Homer, Vergyle, Ovid, and others, which for that their works there of came to the hands of most men, have therefore hitherto been holden as chiefest reporters of that history. Of whom nevertheless part lie by affection towards their countreythemen, as Homer favouring the Grecians, and virgil and Ovid the Trojans, and partly breaking out (as who saith) into their poetycall fictions, the history was so perverted: that the very truth thereof is not to be had in their dygestes. What we may then hope to find of the truth, in their doings that have only laboured as translators of virgil & Homer into their peculiar and vulgar languages, as it is easily to be considered. Of whom, although some I do confess have learnedly and that right well performed their enterprise therein. Yet hath there been other some, so beastly bold to undertake without either wit or any learning, to translate the same history namely the Eanedes of virgil into english, not understanding scarce any word what Virgile meant in all that work. As by example, if a man studious of that history, should seek to find the same in the doings of William Caxton in his lewd recueil of Troy: what should he then find think you? assuredly none other thing, but a long tedious and brainless babbling, tending to no end▪ nor having any certain beginning: but proceeding therein as an ydyot in his folly, that can not make an end till he be bidden. Much like the foolish and unsavoury doings of Orestes, whom Iwinall remembreth, that after he had writ his book to the just volume, filled then the mergentes and outward sides with his madness, which after both that with in and without considered tended to no purpose at all. which Caxtons recueil, who so list with judgement peruse, shall rather think his doings worthy to be numbered amongst the trifelinge tales and barren luerdries of Robin hood, & beeves of Hampton, then remain as a monument of so worthy an history. Yet hath there not wanted the faithful & true reporters of the history, as Daretus the Phrigyan, and Dytus the Grecyan, who both curious of the worthy deeds of their countreithes, & both likewise present in all the said wars have diligently registered the same, whose books although by injury of the time, were not of long extant, yet at the last being found at Athenes, have sins by dew conference been found holy to agree, in all the discourse of the said wars, which the labores aswell of Darete as Dyte, at the last came to the sight & hands of the learned and diligent Guydo of Columpna, who hath sincerely and pithily digested the same in one latin volume. And so by these degrees, hath been at the last by the diligence of john Lydgate a monk of bury, brought into our english tongue: and dygested as may appear, in verse who estranayle as well in other his doings as in this hath without doubt so much prevailed in this our vulgar language, that having his praise dew to his deservings, may worthily be numbered amongst those that have chiefly deserved of our tongue. As the very perfect disciple and imitator of the great Chaucer, the only glory and beauty of the same. Nevertheless, likewise as it happened the same Chaucer to lease the praise of that time wherein he wrote being then when in deed all good letters were almost asleep, so far was the grossness and barbarousness of that age from the understanding of so divine a writer. That if it had not been in this our time, wherein all kinds of learning (thanked be god) have as much flourished as ever they did by any former days within this realm, and namely by the diligence of one willyam Thime a gentleman who laudably studious to the polyshing of so great a jewel, with right good judgement travail, & great pains causing the same to be ꝑfected and stamped as it is now read, the said Chaucer's works had utterly perished, or at the lest been so depraved by corruption of copies, that at the last, there should no part of his meaning have been found in any of them. Even the same injury almost hath happened to this writer in this his Pamphlite of the evertion of Troy: being printed about xlii years ago, even then in the tail (as it happened) of the dark and unlearned times, such was then the ignorance of both the printer and corrector, neither of them as it should seem either learned or dnderstanding english, that the same work is so falsed in his verse by either lack, foolish surplus, or displasinge of the words, that thereby the sentence and consequently the history is so confused and obscured, that in most places, there can be almost nothing gathered thereof. I therefore much meruaylinge how it hath happened, whether for lack of copies, (as in deed they be but few) or otherwise that this book being thouly true & sincere english Chronicle, of that so worthy an history whereupon so many great clerks in other languages have vouchsafed their travails, hath not before this time (which in deed lacketh not that have already by their doings showed themselves to have right good judgement in our language) been purged of his falsyties, & redused as near as mgiht be with convenience to the auctors translation. Have therefore taken upon me as one studious of the language of my countreyth although I must confess the least able of a great numbered, to, bring again this historian into light somewhat I trust more perfect & polished then before, not inverting therein either matter or sentence, but leaving that to the author his commendation, as of right appertaineth. natheless if I would have been withdrawn from this mine attempt, with that which I might justly have recompted with myself, that is, to consider how great an enterprise he undertaketh, that goeth about to bring perfected into the hands of men the corrupted labours of former writers, and how little thank is gained thereby I should never then have dared, to have bestowed hereof one penful of ink. Considering that who so travaylethe in other men's doings is thought to do nothing of himself, and thereby in some men's judgements hath before hand the thank that he deserveth. But if any such be that shall so discern hereof. I may account his judgement like indifferent as is that man's that should judge, that he which hath purged an overgrown field of thorns, & stones, hath also sowed the same with corn, & should in the end be no partaker of the fruits or increase thereof. And surely who so ever shall take upon him thus to travail in others men's labores, whether ye list to way the difficulty of the thing or the commodity & pleasure that shall ensue to them that be desirous to understand the pryveties of our english tongue, me thinketh such one worthy of his praise. And that I may say my judgement his travail ought not to be thought much less than is his that writeth of his own invencyon. For if the one commend the quickens of the wit, tother declareth the ripeness of judgement. He having a large field to discourse in, tother compelled within the strait bounds of the writer. The one may use the frugality of invention & wit, tother must so moderate the same, that when he hath greatest need thereof, yet may he not pass the lmittes. Not one only copy must be perused, but many examplars looked over, & therein he may not choose such as liketh his fantasy, but that which shall seem to come more near to the auctors meninge, and may most please and pleasure the readers. So that therein, he shall be compelled to put on (as it were) their fantasy, and yet that so sparingly, that he may neither add nor take away, but where he shallbe thereto led by certain & sure judgements. All which things how easy they be, who so list practise the same may soon discern. Thus much I have thought good to set in writing before this work. To th'end the readers may be admonished, that this without other is the very true and sincere english historyan of the lamentable battles, destiny, and utter eversion of the ancient and famous city of Troy and also to prevent the malice of such, as shall happily account my travail herein, rather rash presumption, than any virtuous imitation of well doing.  
Finis.  
〈…〉 Robert Braham.   

¶ The prologue of the Translator.  
O Mighty mars that with thy stern light,  
In arms hast the power and the might.  
And named art from east till occident,  
The mighty lord, the god Armipotent.  
That with the shining of thy streams read:  
By influence dost the bridle lead,  
Of chivalry as sovereign and patron.  
Full hot and dry of complexion:  
Irous wood and malencolyke,  
And of nature brent and choleric.  
Of colour shining like the fiery gleed,  
Whose fierce looks been as full of dread,  
As is the levene that alighteth low,  
Down by the skies from jupiter his bow,  
So been thy streams passing dispyteous,  
And to behold so inly furious.  
Thou causer art with thy fiery beams,  
Of were and strife in many sundry realms.  
Whose lordship chiefest is in Capricorn,  
But in the crab is thy power lost.  
And causer art of conteke and of strife.  
Now for the love of her Vlcanus wife,  
With whom whilom thou were at mischief take,  
So help me now only for her sake,  
And for the love of thy Bellona,  
That with the dwelleth beyond Cirrha,  
In Lybye land upon the sands read:  
So be my help in this great need,  
To do succour my style to direct,  
And of my pen the traces to correct.  
Which barren is of aureat liquor.  
But in thy grace I find some succour:  
For to convoy it with thine influence,  
That stumbleth aye for fault of eloquence.  
For to rehearse or written any word:  
Now help o mars that art of knighthood lord:  
And hast of manhood the magnificence.  
And other gods that be of high prudence,  
This work texplete that ye not refuse,  
But maketh Clyo for to be my muse,  
With her sistren that on Pernasus dwell,  
In Cirrha by Helicon the well.  
Renning full clear with streams cristallyn.  
And called is the fountain Caballyn,  
That springeth by touch of the Pegase.  
Help me also o thou Callyope,  
That were mother unto him Orpheus.  
Whose dities weren so melodius,  
That the werbles of his resowninge harp,  
Appeased all the words sharp:  
Both of Parchas and furies infernal,  
And Cerberus so cruel found at all.  
He coyed also both beast foul and tree.  
Now of thy grace be helping unto me.  
And of thy golden dew let the liquor wit,  
My dulled breast that with thy honey sweet:  
Sugar the tongues of Rethoryciens,  
And mistress art to all musciens.  
Now be mine help tenlumine with thy work:  
Which am beset with clouds dim & dark,  
Of ignorance in making to proceed:  
To be to them lusty that shall it read.  
And in heart I am so full of dread,  
When prudent lysters hereto shall take heed:  
Who as in making more skill can than I:  
That they vouchsafe I pray full benignly,  
Of their goodness to have compassion:  
Where as I err in my translation.  
For god I take highly to witness:  
That I this work of hearty low humblesse,  
Took upon me of good entention,  
devoid of pride and all presumption.  
For to obey withouten variance,  
My lords bidding fully and pleasance.  
Which hath desire soothly for to say,  
Of very knighthod to report again,  
The worthiness if so I shall not lie:  
And eke the prowess of old chivalry.  
Because that he hath joy and great dainty,  
To read in books of old antiquity.  
To find only how he may virtue sew,  
By their ample also and to eschew:  
The cursed vice of sloth and idleness.  
So he enjoineth in virtuous business,  
In all that longeth to manhood dare I sayne,  
He busyeth him and thereto is so fain,  
To haunt his body in plays martial,  
Through exercise to exclude sloth in all,  
After the doctrine of Vigecius.  
Thus is he manful and eke virtuous,  
More passingly then I can of him write.  
I want cunning his renown to indite.  
So much of manhood men may in him seen,  
And for to witen whom that I would mean,  
He eldest son is of the noble king,  
Henry the fourth of knighthood well and spring.  
In whom is showed of what stock he grew,  
The rootis virtue thus can the set renew:  
In every part the tarage is the same.  
Like his father of manners and of name.  
In soothfastness and this no fable is,  
Called Henry eke the worthy prince of Wales.  
¶ To whom shall long as by succession,  
For to govern this Brutis albion,  
Which hath me bid the dreary piteous fate,  
Of them of Troy in english to translate.  
The siege also and destruction.  
Like as the latin maketh mention,  
For to compile and after Guido make,  
So I could and write it for his sake.  
Because he would that both to high & low,  
The noble story openly were know.  
And in our tongue about in every age,  
Written it were as well in our language,  
As in the latin and the frenshe it is.  
That of the story we the truth not miss.  
No more than doth each other nation:  
This was the fine of his entention.  
¶ The which emprise anon I gin shall,  
In his worship as for memorial.  
And of the time to maken mention,  
When I began on this translation,  
It was the year soothly for to say,  
fourteen complete though of his father's reign.  
The time of year shortly to conclude,  
When twenty grease was Phoebus altitude.  
The hour when he hath made his steeds draw  
His rosin chariet low under the wawe,  
To bathe his beams in the wawy sea,  
Gresed like gold as men might plainly see,  
Passing the bordure of our Oction.  
And Lucina of colour pale and wan,  
Her cold arising in Octobre dight,  
Tenchase the darkness of the frosty night,  
That then amids was of the Scorpion.  
And Hesperus 'gan fast to wester down,  
Her course to haste again the morrow grey.  
When Lucifer the night to void away,  
The messenger is called of the day.  
Our hemispher to put out of Affray,  
With bright kalends of Phoebus' uprist sheen,  
Out from the bounds of Proserpin the queen.  
Where Pluto dwelleth the dark region,  
And there the furies have their mansion.  
Till after soon Apollo list not tarry,  
To take his sojourn in the Sagittarye.  
¶ Which time I 'gan the prologue to behold,  
Of Troy book maked by days old.  
Where written was of auctors us before,  
Of all the deed the very true corn,  
So as it fell severed from the chaff.  
For in their hand they hold as for a staff,  
The truth only which they have compiled,  
Unto this fine that we were not beguiled,  
Of negligence through forgetfulness,  
The which serpent of age by long process.  
Engendered is fiercely us to assail,  
And of the troth to maken us to fail,  
For near writers all were out of mind,  
Not storied only but of nature and kind,  
The true knowing should have gone to wreck,  
And our wits from science put aback.  
Ne had our elders searched out and sought,  
The soothfast pith to imp it in our thought,  
Of things passed fordyrked of their hew,  
Which through the writing be refreshed new.  
Of Aunceters' and left to us be hind.  
To make a mirror only to our mind.  
To see each thing truly as it was,  
As bright and clear as it were in a glass.  
For near their writing now memorial,  
Death with his sword should have slain all,  
And ydimmed with his sudden showers,  
The great prowess of these conquerors.  
And derked eke the brightness of their fame,  
That shineth yet by report of her name.  
For unto us their books represent,  
Without feigning the way that they went,  
In their days when they were alive,  
Again the troth who so ever strive,  
Or counterplede or make any debate,  
The south is red of high or low estate,  
Without favour who so list take heed,  
For after death clerks little dread,  
Of their desert for to bear witness,  
Nor of a tyrant the truth to express.  
¶ As men deserve without exception,  
With lak or pris they grant their guerdon.  
Wherefore me seemeth every manner man,  
Should by his life in all that ever he can,  
For virtue sake eschew to do amiss:  
For after death plainly as it is,  
clerks willlyn write and except none,  
The plain troth when a man is gone.  
And by old time for their writing true:  
They cherished were of lords that then knew.  
And honoured greatly as in though days.  
For they enacted and gilded with their says,  
Their high renown their manhood & prows:  
Their knighthod eke and their worthiness.  
Their trihumphes all and eke their victories,  
Their famous conquest & their fonge glories.  
¶ From point to point rehearsing all the troth,  
Without fraud negligence or sloth.  
They did their labour and their business,  
For else certain the great worthiness:  
Of all their deeds had been in vain.  
For dyrked age else would have slain,  
By length of years the noble worthy fame,  
Of conquerors and plainly of their name,  
For dimmed eke the letters aureat.  
And eke deffaced the palm laureate,  
Which that they won by knighthod in their days.  
Whose fretting rust new and new assays,  
For to eclipse the honour and the glory,  
Of high prows which clerks in memory,  
Have truly set through diligent labour,  
And enlumined with many curious flower,  
Of Rhetoric to make us comprehend,  
The troth of all as it was tho kind.  
Bysied them and faithfully travailed,  
Again all that that age would have assailed,  
In their books every thing yset,  
And with the key of remembrance is shut.  
Which lasteth yet and dureth ever in one.  
Record of Thebes that was so long agone.  
Of which the ruin and destruction,  
Ye may behold by good inspection.  
Crop and root right as it was in deed,  
On Stace look and there ye may it read.  
How Polynece and Eteocles,  
The brethren two ne could not live in peace:  
Till Thebes brought was to his ruin.  
And all the manner how they diden fine,  
That death also of worthy Tideus,  
And how Edipp with tears full piteous,  
Wept out his eyen and all his dreary pain,  
And how the smokes departed were in twain,  
At the feast of fires funeral.  
In great Stace ye may reden al.  
The sire engendered by brotherly hatred,  
Where through the death was the cruel meed.  
¶ In very sooth of many worthy man,  
Like as mine Author well rehearse can.  
Of Troy also that was of latter years,  
By diligence of these Cronycleres.  
Ye may behold in their writing well,  
The strife were the siege and every dell.  
Right as it was so many years sin passed,  
Whose story yet age hath not diffaced,  
Nor cruel death with his mortal strokes,  
For maugre death ye may behold in books,  
The story fully rehearsed new and new,  
As fresh as flower of colour and of hew.  
From day to day quick and nothing feint,  
For clerks have this story so depaint,  
That death nor age by any other weigh,  
The troth may not make for to die.  
¶ All be that some have the troth spared,  
In their writing and playnty not declared.  
So as it was nor told out faithfully,  
But it transformed in their poesy,  
Through vain fables which of entention,  
They have contrived by false transsumption.  
To hide troth falsely under cloud.  
And the sooth of malice for to shroud.  
As Homer did the which in his writing,  
I feigned hath full many divers thing,  
That never was as Guydo list devise.  
And things done far in anotherwise,  
He hath transformed then the troth was,  
And feigned falsely that gods in this case.  
¶ The worthy Greeks help to warray,  
Again Trojans & how that they were say,  
Like lively men among them day by day.  
And in his dytyes that were fresh and gay,  
With sugared words under hoony sote,  
His galie is hid low by the root.  
That it may not outward be espied,  
And all for he with Greeks was allied.  
Therefore he was to them favourable,  
In much thing which is not commendable.  
Of them that lust to deign after right,  
For in making love hath lost his sight.  
To give a pries where none is deserved,  
Cupid is blind whose domes been observed,  
More after lust than after equity:  
Or after reason how the troth be.  
For syngulertee and false affection,  
raiseth full oft by vain lausion,  
A man to worship that deserveth none.  
By false report and thus full many one,  
Without merit hath his fame blow,  
Whereof another the renown is unknown,  
That in arms hath sundry marvels wrought  
Of whom peraunter speaketh no man nought.  
For favour only is fostered more than rights,  
That hindered hath many worthy knights.  
¶ ovid also poet equally hath closed,  
Falsehood with truth that make the men enosed:  
To which part that they shall them hold,  
His misty speech so hard is to unfold.  
That it entriketh readers that it see.  
Virgil also for love of him Even,  
In his Eneyd rehearseth much thing:  
And was in party true of his writing.  
Except only that him list somwhile,  
The traces follow of Homeris style.  
¶ And of this siege wrote eke Lollius,  
But tofore all Daretus frigens.  
Wrote most truly after that he fond,  
And Ditus eke of the Greeks land.  
For they were present and seen every dell,  
And as it fill they writ true and well.  
Each in his tongue by such consonaunce,  
That in their books was no variance.  
Which after were unto Athenes brought,  
And by process searched out and sought,  
By diligence of one Cornelius,  
Who nephew was unto Salustius.  
Of rome yborn which did his dew,  
Them to translate and the traces sew,  
Of these auctors by good advisement,  
But for because he set all his intent,  
For to be brief he left much behind:  
Of the story as men in books find.  
The first meninge and cause original,  
What was the ginning and root in special,  
Ne how they come by land or by navy,  
How first the spark was kindled of envy,  
Betwixt Greeks and them of Troy town,  
Of this Cornelie maketh no menciowne.  
Of their ships nor of their victual,  
Nor how that Grece is called ytayle.  
And the lass as books verify,  
¶ Is named now the land of Romanye,  
What numbered of kings and of Dukes went,  
Toward the siege all of one assent,  
To win worship and for exercise,  
Of arms only in full knightly wise,  
Abiding there to see the version,  
Of the city and noble Illyon.  
Nor what the manner was of their armure,  
¶ Nor at the siege who longest did endure.  
In what wise each other did assail,  
Nor how often they met in battle,  
How many worthy lost their his life,  
How old hatred wrought up new strife,  
Nor of their death he dateth not the year,  
For his writing was so partyculere.  
Without fruit he was compendious:  
This foresaid Roman this Cornelius.  
¶ Wherefore but late in comparysowne.  
There was an Author of full high renown  
That busied him the traces for to sew,  
Of Dite & Daret & cast him not transmewe.  
In all the story a word as in sentence.  
But followeth them by such convenience,  
That in effect the substance is the same:  
And of Columpna Guydo was his name.  
Which had in writing passing excellence,  
For he enlumineth by craft and cadence:  
This noble story with many fresh colour.  
Of Rethorik and many rich flower,  
Of eloquence to make it sound the bet.  
¶ He in the story ymped hath and set.  
That in good faith I trow he hath no peer,  
To reckon all that writ of this matter.  
As in his book ye may behold and see.  
To whom I say kneeling on my knee.  
Laude and honour and excellence of fame,  
O Guydo master be unto thy name.  
That excellest by soverayngtye of style,  
All that write this matter to compile.  
Whom I shall follow as near as ever I may,  
That god grant it to be to the pay,  
Of him for whom I have it undertake,  
So as I can this story for to make.  
praying to all that shall it read or see,  
Where as I err there to amend me.  
Of humble heart and low entention,  
Committing all to their correction.  
And thereof thank my will is that they win,  
For through their support thus I will begin.  
The end of the prologue   

The first book.  

¶ How the knge of Thessaly named peleus lost all his men by divine punishment who after by his prayers obtained others. Ca i.  
IN the reign and land of thessaly,  
The which is now ynamed saloni  
There was a king called peleus:  
wise and discrete & also virtuous.  
The which as Guido list to specify,  
Held the lordship and the regal,  
Of this isle as governor and king.  
Of which the people by record of writing,  
Mirundones were called in though days.  
Of whom ovid feigneth in his says,  
Metamorphoseos where as ye may read,  
How this people soothfastly in deed,  
So as mine Author maketh mention,  
Were brought echeone to destruction  
With sudden tempest and with fiery leaven,  
By the gods sent down from the heaven,  
For they of ire without more offence,  
With sword and with the stroke of pestilence,  
On this isle whilom took vengeance:  
Like as it is put in remembrance.  
For this people destroyed were certain,  
With thunder dint & with hail and rain,  
Full unwarely as Guido list descrive,  
For there was none of them left a live,  
In all the land that the violence,  
Escape might of this pestilence.  
Except the king the which went alone,  
Into a wood there to make his moan,  
Sool by himself all disconsolate,  
In a place that stood all desolate.  
Where this king running to and fro,  
complaining aye of this his fatal woe:  
And the harms that he did endure,  
Till at the last of case or adventure.  
Beside an holt he saw where stood a tree,  
Of full great height and large of quantity:  
hollow by thee root as he could know,  
Where as he saw by the earth low,  
Of Ants creep passing great plenty,  
With which sight he fell down on his knee.  
And made his prayer in his panim wise,  
To the gods with humble sacrafise.  
Upon his woe and great adversity,  
Only of mercy for to have pity.  
To turn these Ants into form of man:  
Thus 'gan he pray with colour pale & wan.  
His land tenhabite which standeth desolate,  
And he alone awhaped and a mate,  
Comfortless of any creature:  
Him to relieve of that he did endure.  
And as ovid maketh mention,  
The god jupiter heard his orison,  
And hath such ruth on him at the lest,  
That he anon fulfilleth his request.  
And of his might which that is divine,  
His grace he made from heaven for to shine,  
benignly unto the earth adown,  
That by a sudden transmutaciowne,  
The Ants were brought to form of men anon,  
Which on their feet upright 'gan to gone.  
To Thesaly and salve there the king,  
And like his lieges took their dwelling,  
Within a city called though Egee,  
As in ovid ye may behold and see.  
The which people for their worthiness,  
For their strength and great hardiness,  
Mirundines so long have bore the name,  
As in the life ye read may thee same.  
Of saint matthew how they be called so,  
Where the Apostle so much had a do.  
Which for their wisdom their prudent advertence,  
busy labour and wilful diligence,  
By forcing and great discretion,  
As I suppose in mine opinion:  
That this fable of Ants was contrived,  
Which by their wisdom have so much achieved.  
Through their knighthod who so list to look,  
Their manly deeds throughout Troy book,  
In all mischief so well they have them borne,  
That they full wisely provided were toforne,  
Of that it fill both in were and peace:  
For of sloth they weren not reckless.  
¶ But as the Ant to eschew idleness,  
In summer is so full of business,  
Or winter come to save her from the cold:  
That she tofore astored hath her hold.  
¶ But in this matter I hold no sermon,  
Ywill no longer make disgression,  
Nor in fables no more as now sojourn,  
But there I left I will again return:  
Of peleus's ferther to proceed.  
¶ Which king forsooth in story as I read,  
And as mine Author listeh to indite,  
Had a wife that called was Tethite.  
Of which twain platly this no lees,  
The manly man the hardy Achilles,  
So as Guido list to termine,  
Descended was soothly as by line.  
Most renowned of manhood and of might,  
amongs Greeks and the best knight,  
Yholde in sooth throughout all the land:  
In worthiness proved of his hand.  
Whose cruelty Trojans sore about,  
By his marvels that he there wrought,  
During the siege as ye shall after lere:  
patiently if ye shall list to hear.  
¶ This peleus that I of spoke aforne,  
A brother had of one mother borne,  
That hight Aeson so far yronne in years,  
That he of lust hath lost all his desires:  
So far he was cropen into age,  
That all his wit was turned to dotage.  
For both mind and memorial,  
Furdulled were and dercked so in all,  
That verily his discretion:  
Was him bereft in conclusion.  
Wherefore the reign and land of thessaly,  
Crown and sceptre with all the regal,  
He hath assigned his brother for to queme:  
Estate royal and also diadem.   

¶ How Aeson the king for that he was old and might no longer weld the governail caused to crown his brother peleus. Ca two.  
Because he crooked was lame and blind,  
And to govern lost both wit and mind,  
So feeble was his cell retentife,  
And forderked his imaginatife,  
That lost were both memory and reason.  
For which he made hath resignation,  
To his brother next heir by degree:  
And nighest ally of his affynytye.  
But as some authors in their books sayne,  
To youth he was restored new again,  
By craft of Mede the great Sorceress.  
And renewed to his lustiness.  
For with her herbs and with her potions,  
By subtle working of confexions,  
By queintise eke of her instruments,  
With her charms and enchantments,  
She made a drink in books as it is told,  
In which a yard that was dry and old,  
Without abode anon as she it cast,  
To bloom and bud would begin fast:  
And eke green and fresh to behold.  
And through this drink she hath fro years old,  
Aeson restored unto lusty age.  
And was of wit and reason eke as sage,  
As ever he had in all his life aforne.  
The which Aeson of his wife yborn,  
Had a son and jason was his name,  
In work of whom nature was not to blame.  
For she her craft platly and cunning,  
Spent upon him holy in working.  
When she him made with heart will & thought,  
That of her craft behind was right nought.  
To reckon his shape and also his fairness,  
His strength, his beauty, and his liveliness,  
His gentleness and his wise governance,  
How large he was and of dalliance,  
The most goodly that men could know,  
In all his port both to high and low,  
And with all this avise and eke treatable,  
That of cunning god wot I am not able,  
For to descrive his virtues by and by.  
For as mine Author telleth faithfully,  
He was beloved so of old and young,  
That through the land so is his honour sprung.  
But for that he was yet but young and slender,  
Of age also inly green and tender,  
He was committed to the governaile,  
Of peleus to whom withouten fail.  
In every thing he was as seruiable,  
As diligent in chamber and at table,  
As ever was child or any man:  
Unto his lord in all that ever he can.  
Glad in heart, of faithful obeisance,  
So that in cheer nor yet in countenance,  
Inward in heart nor outward in showing,  
His uncle against was he not grudging,  
All be he had holy in his hand,  
The worthy kingdom and the rich land.  
Of this jason and the heritage.  
Only for he was tho to young of age.  
¶ Unto whom peleus did his pain,  
Against his heart falsely for to feign,  
To show other that he mente not in heart,  
And kept him close that nothing him outsterte.  
Like an adder under flowers fair,  
For to his heart his tongue was all contrary.  
Benign of speech of meaning like serpent,  
For under colour was the treason blent.  
To show him goodly unto his ally,  
But inward brent of hate and of envy,  
The hoot fire and yet there was no smeke,  
So covertly the malice was yreke.  
That no man might as by sign espy,  
Toward jason in heart he bare envy,  
And marvel none for it was causeless,  
Save he dread that he for his increases,  
And for his manhood likely was tatteine,  
For to succeed as in his father's reign.  
Which peleus unjustly occupieth,  
And day by day cast and fantisyeth.  
How his venom may by some pursuit,  
Upon this jason be fully execute.  
Here on he museth every hour and time,  
As he that dread to see an hasty prime,  
Follow change as it is wont to done,  
Suddenly after a change or new moan.  
He casteth ways and compasseth sore,  
And under colour always more and more  
His fell malice he 'gan to close and hide,  
Like as a snake that wont is to glide,  
With his venom under fresh flowers.  
And as the son is right hot after showers,  
So of envy hotter brent the gleed.  
Till on a time he thought he would proceed,  
To execute his meaning every dell.  
In port a lamb in heart a lion fell.  
Double as Tiger slightly to compass,  
Gall in his breast and sugar in his face.  
That no man hath to him suspection,  
How he purveyeth the destruction,  
Of his nephew and that within a while,  
Pretending love all be the fine was guile:  
His malice was yshet so under key,  
That his intent there can no man bewreye.  
It was concealed and closed in secre,  
Under the cloak of privy enmity.  
And that in so the grieved him the more,  
Upon himself the anger fret so sore,  
Abiding aye till unto his intent,  
He find may leysur convenient,  
Upon his purpose platly to proceed,  
For to perform it fully up in deed.  
Whereof jason hath full little wrought,  
His uncle and he ne were not in one thought.  
Of whose meaning was no convenience,  
For so was malice linked with innocence.  
And ground of all so as I can devise,  
Was false envy and hateful covetise.  
Which fret so sore falsely for to win,  
As crop and root of every sorrow & sin.  
And cause hath been sith go full yore,  
That many a realm hath bought full sore,  
The dreadful venom of covetise alas.  
Let them beware that stand in this case.  
¶ To think afore and for to have in mind.  
That all falsehood draweth to an end.  
For though it bide and last a year or two,  
The end in sooth shall sorrow be and woe.  
Of all that been false and envious,  
Hereof no more but forth of peleus  
I will you tell that hath so long sought,  
Upon this thing till they were to him brought,  
Tidings new and that so marvelous,  
That he atoned was and all his house.  
Of a marvel that though was newly fall,  
Beside Troy the plague orientalle,  
How in Colchos as the tidings came,  
Within an isle enclosed was a ram,  
Which bore his flese full richly all of gold.  
And for the richesses it was kept in hold,  
With great advice and great diligence,  
That no man might there to do offence.  
And in this isle there was a governor,  
A noble king a worthy warrour.  
That Oetes hight wise discrete and sage.  
Which was also yronne far in age.  
That in his time as books can devise,  
Had underfonged many great emprise.  
In peace & war and much worship won,  
And he was also son unto the son.  
That gave him ure to honour to attain,  
So as these poets listen for to feign.  
touching his line I leave as now the great,  
And of this Ram my purpose is to treat.  
That was commit I dare you well assure,  
To the keeping and the busy cure,  
Of cruel Mars the mighty god of were,  
Which with the streams of his read star.  
And influence of his deytee,  
Ordained hath by full great cruelty.  
This Ram to keep bullis full unmild.  
With brazen feet ramageous and wild.  
And there with all fell and despitous,  
And of nature wood and furious.  
To hurt and slay ever of one desire,  
Out of whose mouth, leaven and wild fire.  
Like a flawme ever blazed out,  
To burn all them that stood nigh aobut.  
Eke of their eyen the looks most horrible,  
To a furnaces the streams were visible.  
And who that would t'increase his glory.  
This Ram of gold winnen victory.  
first he must of very force and might,  
Unto oultraunce with these bulls to fight.  
And them vanquish alder first of all,  
And make them humble as any ox in stall.  
And sith them yoke and do them ere the land,  
Of very manhood this must he take in hand.  
And after that he must also endure,  
With a serpent of huge and great stature.  
Without favour plainly have to do,  
To oultraunce eke without words more.  
The which serpent shortly for to tell,  
Was like a fiend coming out of hell.  
¶ Full of venom and of cruel hate,  
And with scales hard as any plate.  
He armed was to stand at defence,  
And by his brethe wrose then pestilence,  
Infecten would environ all the air,  
In each place where was his repair.  
He was so full of foul corruption,  
And eke so dreadful of infection.  
That death in sooth shortly to devise,  
Was the fine of this high emprise.  
To such as would this quarrel take in hand,  
Ylyke in one both to free and bond.  
But if he could the bet himself defend,  
And of his conquest this was eke the end.  
That when he had the mighty serpent slawe,  
He must anon by custom and by law.  
¶ Out of his head his tethe echeone arrace,  
And after sow them in the self place.  
Where as the oxen eryd had aforne,  
Of which seed there sprang a wonder corn.  
Knights armed passing of great might,  
everich with other ready for to fight.  
Till each his brother had ybrought to ground,  
By mortal fate and give his deaths wound.  
This was the end of everichone,  
For sowfastly of all there was none.  
That liue might by that fatal law,  
A longer time than lived his fellow.  
¶ And by this way dreadful and perilous,  
Who so desireth to been victorious.  
He pass must and manly to endure,  
And how so fall take his adventure.  
For of estate was no exception,  
Cheese who so will for this conclusion,  
He may not scape for favour ne for meed,  
Who so beginneth a vyse him well I read.  
For by the statute of the king he may,  
Who so that will enter and assay.  
But after that he once hath begun,  
He may not cheese till he have lost or won.  
Yet as some other of this Ram express,  
And of his flese also bear witness.  
It was nothing but gold & great treasure,  
That Oetes king with full high labour.  
Made keep it as by Incantations,  
By sorserye and false illusions.  
¶ That was spoke of in realms far about,  
For which many put their life in doubt.  
Of high desire that they had for to win,  
The great treasure that was shut within.  
Colchos land, as ye have hard devise,  
Whose pursuit rose out of covetise.  
Ground and root of woe & of mischance,  
By vain report themself to advance.  
For which they put themself in jeopardy,  
Without rescues likely for to die.  
There was no help ne no sleight of arms,  
That vail might again the cursed charms.  
So were they strong and superstitious,  
That many worthy in knighthood famous.  
Enhasted were unto their death alas,  
That jeopardy list their lives as in this case.  
¶ This lasteth forth till afterward befell,  
That peleus platly hath hard tell.  
The great mischiefs and destructions,  
In Colchos wrought on sundry nations.  
That have pursued thes auntres to conquer,  
Till peleus so farforth 'gan inquire.  
That he knew holy how the troth was,  
And in his heart anon he 'gan compass.  
How that he might by any slight make,  
His nephew jason for to undertake.  
This high emprise in Colchos for to wend,  
For by that way he might him best shende.  
¶ And 'gan pretend a colour fresh of hue,  
Ygylte outward so lusty and so new.  
As though there were no treason hid within,  
He saw also it was time to begin.  
On his purpose though first he made it quaint,  
And 'gan forthwith with gold & azure paint.  
His gay words, in swooning glorious,  
Knowing jason was young and desirous.  
Unto such thing & lightly would incline,  
Therefore he thought that he would not fine:  
Plainly to work to his conclusion,  
And made anon a convocation.  
Of his lords and of his barony,  
About environ the land of thessaly.  
For to assemble estates of each degree,  
Of all his realm within the chief city.  
To hold a counsel utterly he cast,  
Thereby to achieve his desire as fast.  
And so his court continued days three,  
Till at the last his hid iniquity.  
He out 'gan rake that hath be hid so long,  
For he ne might no longer forth prolong.  
The venom hid that fret so at his heart,  
In so sly wise that no man might avert.  
Upon no side but that he mente well,  
So was his treason covered everydeal.  
And curtined so under treachery,  
For he this thing so slightly 'gan to gye.  
At prime face that no man might dame,  
By any word as it would seem.  
In cheer, in port, by sign or dalliance,  
But that he cast knightly to advance.  
His young nephew as by likeliness,  
To high honour of manhood and prowess.  
For of th'intent of which he 'gan purpose,  
No man could spy th'effect he did so gloze.  
The text was so conveyed with flattery,  
That the people could not then espy,  
Little or nought of his intent within.  
For which anon to praise him they begin.  
That he such honour to his nephew would,  
For with such cheer he began unfold,  
Tofore them all this entention.  
That he hath voided all suspection.  
From all that were assembled in the place,  
And toward jason he turn 'gan his face.  
Full lovingly in countenance and cheer,  
And to him said that all might it here.  
Throughout the court when maked was silence,  
Thus word by word platly in sentence.   

¶ How peleus fearing to be deposed by his brother's son jason, a worthy & valiant young knight, counseled him to undertake the perilous & almost invincible conquest of the golden flese at Colchos, who by his persuasion undertook the same. Cap. iii.  

Cousin jason take heed what I shall said  
For the I am so inly glad and fain,  
And so surprised with mirth through my heart  
That it enchaseth and voideth all my smart.  
For to consider in mine inspection,  
Of thy youth the disposition.  
The which shortly for to comprehend,  
Save to virtue to nothing do intend.  
Unto worship and to gentleness,  
To manly freedom and to high largesse.  
That verily whether I wake or wink,  
My joy is only there on for to think.  
Myself I hold so passing fortunate,  
And all my land of high and low estate.  
That likely are in honour for to fleet,  
And to live in rest and perfect quiet.  
Through thy support & worthy governaile,  
Whose manhood may so much to us avail.  
By likelihood and eke so moche amend,  
In very sooth to save us and defend.  
Again all though as I can describe,  
That of malis would against us strive.  
Or rebel be in any manner way,  
Of surquidry or pride to werraye.  
Our worthiness assured in tranquyll,  
From all assault of them that would us ill,  
For to perturb our noble state royal,  
Against whom thou art our only wall,  
Our mighty shield and our protection,  
Thus dame I fully in mine opinion.  
¶ For of thine age, thy wit, thy providence,  
Thy knightly heart thy manly excellence,  
Reported been and thine high renown,  
In many land and many region,  
This round world about in circuit.  
How might I than stand in better plight.  
For thine honour like as it is found,  
To my worship so highly doth rebound,  
That I would plainly seek & nothing cease,  
If I could help thine honour to increase,  
And high renown iwis in every hour.  
And thereupon spenden my treasure.  
This high desire withouten any fail,  
Of entire love me doth so sore assail,  
That night nor day I may have no rest,  
And all shall turn I hope for the best.  
For tenhance thine honour to the heaven,  
Above the pool and the stars seven,  
To which thing I have away espied,  
As I my wit thereto have applied,  
This is to mean what should I longer dwell,  
My dear Cousin as I shall after tell,  
If it so were by manhood sovereign,  
Of thy knighthood that thou durst attain,  
The flese of gold to conquer by thy strength,  
Which is spoke of so far in breadth and length,  
And home return in body safe and sound,  
If so this conquest might in the be found,  
That thou achieve durst this high emprise,  
More hearts joy could I not devise.  
In all this world, for soothly at the best,  
My realm and I were fully then in rest.  
For by thy manhood all men would us dread,  
Wherefore Cousin of knighthood & manhood:  
Take upon the my prayer and request.  
¶ And here my troth and take it for behest,  
What ever needeth in main or costage,  
I will myself toward this voyage,  
Ordain enough in harneyse and array,  
That nought shall fail that may be to thy pay.  
And furthermore I plainly the ensure,  
That if I see thou do thy busy cure,  
This high emprise for to bring about,  
Thou shalt not fear neither been in doubt,  
After my day by succession,  
For to be king of this Region,  
And holy have sceptre and regaly.  
Wherefore jason lift up thine hearts eye,  
Think thy name shallbe long recorded,  
Throughout the world wherefore be accorded,  
Within thyself and plainly not ne spare:  
Of thine intent the sentence to declare.   

When jason had his uncle understand,  
He much rejoiceth for to take on hand,  
This dreadful labour without advisement.  
He nought advertith the meaning fraudulent,  
The prive poison under sugar cured,  
Nor how to gall with honey he was lured.  
The dark deceit the cloudy false engine,  
Ygylt without but under was venom.  
Whereto jason, hath none advertence.  
The king he wend of clean conscience,  
Withouten fraud had all this thing yment.  
Wherefore anon he giveth full assent,  
At words few and plainly 'gan to say,  
His uncles will that he would obey.  
He was accorded in conclusion,  
With humble heart and whole intention,  
Whereof the king receiveth such gladness,  
That he uneath might the same express.  
But right as fast did he his busy pain,  
For this journey in haste there needs ordain.  
And for asmuch as Colchos the country,  
Enclosed was environ with a sea,  
And that no man how long that he strive,  
Without ship thither may arrive,  
To his presence anon he did call,  
Famous Argus that could most of all,  
To make a ship and first that art yfonde,  
To sail with by sea fro land to land.  
And he hath wrought a ship by sotyl craft,  
Which was the first that ever wawe rafte,  
To have entry and Argon bore the name.  
Gramariens do yet record the same.  
The which ship first for that marvel,  
Is called so which proudly bore her sail,  
As Guydos book doth us specify.  
But how it happened forth of this navy.  
¶ When all was ready main and victual,  
They bide nought but wind for to sail.  
And many worthy was there in company,  
Of noble birth and of great ally.  
In that viage ready for to gone,  
Both for love and worship of jason.  
Among the which the great Hercules,  
Of force and might of strength peerless.  
And he begetten was upon Alcmene,  
So inly fair and womanly to seen.  
Of jubiter, and that full long agone,  
Taking likeliness of Amphitrion.  
Down fro the heaven for all his deyte,  
He ravished was through lust of her beauty.  
For he her loved with heart and hold intent,  
And of them two soothly by descent,  
Came Hercules the worthy famous knight,  
Most renowned of manhood and of might.  
Which in his time was so marvelous,  
So excellent and so victorious,  
That Ovid list recorden all him selue,  
In Methamorphosis his deeds twelve.  
Which been remembered there inspeciall,  
In his honour for a memorial.  
¶ And them rehearse in order by and by,  
If ye list here I purpose utterly.  
He slough Antheon in the eyer on height,  
And many an other Giant by his might.  
He hath outrayed for all their limes rude,  
The serpent Hydra he slough eke in pallude.  
And Serberus the hound he bond so sore,  
At hell gates that he broke no more.  
And made him void his venom in the strife,  
And upward gave him such a laxative,  
That all the world his breath courageous,  
Infected hath it was so venomous.  
That with an blast he allthings would do die,  
He took the Harpies birds of Archady.  
And slough the Centaurus bestis monstrous.  
The fierce Lion he bereft his house.  
This is to say when that he was slawe,  
Out of his skin he hath him stripped & flaw.  
With cruel heart through his high renown.  
The golden applies he bereft the dragon.  
The fiery cat he slough withouten more,  
Of Archadye likewise the cruel boar.  
And at the last on his shoulders square,  
Of very might the firmament he bore.  
But for that I ne may not reaken all,  
His passing deeds which been historyall,  
readeth ovid and there ye shall them find.  
And of his trihumphes how he maketh mind.  
Thoughout the world how he his honour fet,  
And of the pillars that at gades he set.  
Which Alexsaundre of Macedon the king,  
That was so worthy here in his living.  
Rood in his conquest as Guydo list to write,  
With all his host proudly to visit.  
Beyond which no land is habitable,  
Nor sea to sail soothly convenable.  
So far it is beyond the Occian,  
That shipmen thence no further no skill can.  
And Sibyl's straits mariners it call,  
And these bounds named be of all,  
Of Hercules for he himself them set.  
As for his marks all other for to let,  
Ferther to pass as Guydo maketh mind,  
And yet the place is called as I find.  
Saracenica as fine of his labour,  
Of Longa, Saphy, record of mine author.  
¶ Of this matter what more should I say,  
For unto jason I will return again.  
That in all haste doth him ready make,  
Of his uncle when he hath leave take.  
Toward the sea and Hercules yfeare,  
With all his men anon as ye shall here.   

THe time of year when the sheen son,  
In his sphere was so far up run,  
That he was fully passed the Gemyny.  
And hath his char whyrled up so high,  
Through the draft of Pirrous the reed,  
That he had made in the crabs head,  
His mansion and his sea royal,  
Where hallowed is the standing estival,  
Of fresh Apollo, with his golden wain.  
When heard men in heart be so fain,  
From the heat to shroud them in the shade.  
Under these branches & these bows glade.  
When Phoebus beams that so bright shine,  
Descended been right as any line,  
And cause the eyer by reflection,  
To be full hoot, that lusty fresh season.  
When corns begin in the field to seed,  
And the grasses in the green meed,  
From year to year been of custom mow,  
And on the plain cast and laid full low,  
Till the moisture consumed be away.  
On holt and haveth the merry summer's day.  
At which time the young knight jason,  
With Hercules is forth to ship gone.  
And with them eke as I rehearse can,  
Of Greeks also many a lusty man.  
shipped echon with royal apparel.  
And when they were crossed under sail,  
Within the ship which that Argus made,  
Which was so staunch it might no water lad  
They 'gan to sail and had wind at will.  
The ship 'gan break the sturdy waves ill.  
Upon the sea and so both day and night,  
To Colchos ward they held the way right.  
guiding their course by the load star,  
Where ere they sail by costs nigh or far.  
For Philoctetes was their alder guide,  
That could afore so prudently provide,  
Of great insight to cast afore and see.  
Tempest or wind both on land and sea.  
Or when there should trouble of storms fall,  
For he was master plainly of them all.  
In shipman craft and chose their governor.  
And could them warn afore of every shower,  
That should be fall, when stars did appear,  
And specially as Guydo doth us lere,  
This Philoctetes which was though no fool,  
Had most his sight erect unto the pole.  
His advertence and clear inspection,  
To the stars and constellation,  
Which the artre round about gone,  
That clerks call the septemtrion.  
For the pole ycalled Articus,  
Ever in one appeareth unto us.  
Right so in sooth who can look aright,  
Antarticus is shrouded from our sight.  
But to shipmen that be discrete and wise,  
That list their course prudently devise,  
Upon the sea have suffisance enough,  
To gye their passage by Arthourys plough.  
For it to them is plain direction.  
Unto the costs of every region.  
With help only of needle and of stone,  
They may not err what costs that they gone.  
For mariners that be discrete and sage,  
And like expert be of their lodmanage,  
By strange costs for to sail far,  
Gin their course only by the star.  
¶ Which that Arthur compasseth environ,  
The which circle and constellation,  
called is the circle Artophilax.  
Who knoweth it needeth no more to axe.  
For it to shipmen on the sterry night,  
Is suffisant when that they see his light.  
¶ And as poets of these pools twain,  
In their books liken for to feign,  
And in their ditties manifest to us,  
Calixto and the young Archadius,  
Her own son were both ystellyfyed,  
In the heaven and there defied,  
For that juno had to her envy.  
With jupiter when she did her espy.  
¶ For which she was into a bear turned.  
And for her guilt she hath in earth mourned.  
Till into heaven Nason can you tell,  
She was translate eternally to dwell.  
Among stars where she as is stalled,  
And ursa maior is of clerks called.  
So as her son for his worthy fame,  
¶ Of ursa minor beareth yet the name▪  
Of such, the course might not asterte,  
Philectetes that was the most expert,  
Of all shipmen that ever I heard tell▪  
For of cunning he might bear the bell.  
¶ And when the Greeks had long be,  
Fordryve and cast sailing in the sea,  
And all forweried after their travail,  
They cast to aryve if it would avail.  
Them to refresh and disport in joy,  
Upon the bounds of the land of Troy.    

¶ How jason in his expedition towards Colchos, casually with his fellowship arrived in the territories of Troy, meaning only there for a while to refresh and rest them. Cap. iiii.  
VUhan Hercules & jason on his hand,  
Out of their ship taken have the land,  
And with them eke their knights everyone,  
That fro the sea be to land gone,  
Sore forweried after their travail,  
As they in sooth come to aryvaile,  
At Symeonte an haven of great renown,  
That was but little distant fro Troy town.  
And they were glad to be in sickerness,  
From storm and tempest after weariness.  
For they ne mente treason, harm, nor guile,  
But on the strand to resten them awhile.  
No wight to hurt of any manner age,  
Nor in that isle for to do damage,  
To man nor beast where ever that they go,  
But as to abide for a day or two,  
Them to refresh and eft repair anon,  
When that the rage of the seas were gone,  
And while that they upon the strand lay,  
They did nought else but to disport & play,  
And bathe & wash them in the fresh ryvere.  
And drunk waters that were soot & clear:  
That sprang like crystal in the cold well.  
And took right nought but if it were to sell.  
It was nothing in their entention,  
Unto no wight to do offensyon.  
Or to molest or grieven any wight.  
But the unstable rule of fortunes might,  
Hath ever envy that men live in ease.  
Whose hasty course unwarely doth disease.  
For she was cause god wot causeless,  
This gery fortune, this lady reckless,  
The blind goddess of transmutation,  
To turn her wheel by revolution,  
To make Trojans unjustly for to ween,  
That Greeks were arrived them to tene.  
So that the cause of this suspicion,  
Hath many brought unto destruction.  
Full many worthy of kings and princes,  
Throughout the world reckoned in provinces.  
Were by this slander unto mischief brought.  
For thing alas that never was be thought.  
For it was cause and chief occasiowne,  
That this city and this royal town,  
Destroyed was as it is plainly found.  
Whose walls hie were beaten down to ground.  
And many a man & many a worthy knight,  
Were slave there and many a lady bright,  
Was widow made by duresse of this were.  
As it is couth and sith reported far.  
And many a maid in green and tender age,  
Be left were sole withouten marriage.  
Behind their fathers alas it fall should,  
And for nought else but that fortune would,  
Shown her might and her cruelty.  
In vengeance taking upon this city.  
¶ Alas that ever so worthy of estate,  
Should for so little fallen at the debate,  
When it is gone it is not like to staunch.  
For of the graffing of a little branch,  
Full sturdy trees grown up full oft.  
Who climbeth high may not fall soft.  
And of sparks that be of sight small,  
Is fire engendered that devoureth all.  
And as a gnat first of little hate,  
Encauseth flawme of contek and debate.  
And enuiouslye to spread abroad full far.  
And thus alas in realms mortal were,  
Is first begun as men may read and see,  
Of a spark of little enmity.  
That was not staunched first when it begun.  
For when the fire is so far yronne,  
That it embraceth hearts by such hatred,  
To make them burn as hot as any gleed.  
On other party through his cruel tene,  
There is no staunch but sherp swords keen.  
The which alas consumeth all and slayeth,  
And thus the fine of enmity is death.  
And though the beginning be but casual,  
The biding frete is passingly cruel.  
To void realms of rest peace and joy,  
As it fill whilom of this worthy Troy.  
It doth me weep of this case sudden,  
For every wight ought it to complain.  
That little gilt should have such vengeance,  
Except percase through god's purveyance,  
That this mischief should perhaps be,  
The ensuing cause of great felicity.  
For Troy brought thus unto destruction,  
Was the ginning and occasion,  
In mine author as it is specified,  
That worthy Rome was after edified.  
By the of springe of worthy Aeneas.  
Whilom from Troy when he exiled was.  
The which Rome read and ye may see,  
Of all the world was head and chief city.  
For the famous passing worthiness.  
And eke when Troy was brought thus in distress,  
And the walls cast & broke adown,  
It was in cause that many regiowne,  
Begun was and many a great city,  
For this Trojan this manly man Enee,  
By sundry seas 'gan so long to sail,  
Till of fortune he came into italy.  
And won that land as books tell us,  
With whom was eke his son Ascanius.  
That after Enee doth by line succeed,  
The land of Itale justly to possede.  
And after him his son Silvius,  
Of whom came Brute so passingly famous.  
After whom if so I shall not feign,  
Whilom this land called was Britain.  
For he of giants through his manhood wan,  
This noble isle and it first began.  
¶ From Troy also with this ilke Enee,  
Came worthy Francus a lord of high degree.  
Which after Rome t'increaseincrease his high renown  
builded in his time a full royal town,  
Which he soothly his honour to advance,  
After his name he made do call it France.  
And thus began as I understand,  
The name first of that worthy land.  
And Antenor departing from Trojans,  
Began the city of the Veneciens.  
And Sycanus within a little while,  
Began tenhabite the land of Cecile.  
And after parting of this Sycanus,  
His worthy brother called Syculus,  
So as I find reigned in that isle,  
And after him it called was Cecile.  
But Aeneas is forth to Tuscy gone,  
It tenhabite with people right anon.  
And in Cicile he Naples first began.  
To which full many Neopolitan,  
Longeth this day full rich & of great might.  
¶ And Diomedes the noble worthy knight.  
When Troy was fall with his towers fair,  
How to his reign he cast to repair.  
His lieges though began a quarrel fain,  
And him withstood with all their might & main.  
And of malice and conspiraciowne,  
They him withheld both sceptre & the crown.  
Their duty and their old aligeaunce,  
And him denied both troth and obeisance.  
Wherefore anon so as the books tell,  
With all his folks he went for to dwell,  
To Calabre and 'gan it to possede.  
And there the knights of this Diomedes,  
That fro Troy have him thither sewed,  
To form of birds were anon transmewed,  
By Circe's craft daughter of the Son,  
And in the eyer to flee anon they gone.  
And called been in I sodore as I read.  
Among Greeks the birds of Diomedes.  
Not as some books of them list bear witness  
This change was made by Venus the goddess.  
Of wrath that she had to this worthy knight,  
Only for that she saw him once fight,  
With Aeneas her ownely son dear.  
At which time as they fought yfeare,  
And Diomedes with a dart yground,  
'Gan aim at him a deadly mortal wound.  
¶ His mother Venus 'gan anon him shroud,  
Under a sky and a misty cloud.  
To save him though that time fro mischance.  
And for this skill Venus took vengeance,  
Into birds to turn his main.  
And in that form from year to year they i'll,  
Unto his tomb where as he is grave,  
So that on him as yet a mind they have.  
That of custom for a remembrance,  
A rite they hold and an observance,  
At his exequys these birds every eachone,  
A days space and thence not ne gone.  
And moreover as it to them is dew,  
They love the Greeks & platly they eschew,  
Latins all for aught that may betide,  
For they present anon they flee aside.  
And each from other as books us assure,  
These birds know only of nature.  
Greeks and latins kindly assonder,  
When they them see that which is such a wonder,  
Unto my wit that I can not espy,  
The causes hid of such sorcery.  
But well I wot though my wit be blended,  
That root of all was false enchantment,  
But of our faith we ought to defy,  
Such apparences showed to the eye.  
Which of the fiend is but illusion,  
Thereof no more & thus when Troy town,  
Euersed was and that brought to nought,  
Full many city was ybylde and wrought.  
¶ And many land and many rich town,  
Was edified as by occasiowne,  
Of this were as ye have heard me tell.  
Which to declare as now I may not dwell.  
From point to point like as books sayne,  
For to jason I will resort again,  
That landed is with worthy Hercules,  
At Symeonte the haven that he chose.  
As I have told to rest them and comfort,  
And for not else but only to desporte.  
But to the king reigning in Troy town,  
That was that time called Lamedowne.  
Of false envy reported was and told,  
How certain greeks were of heart bold,  
His land to enter the which they not knew.  
Well arrayed and in a vessel new.  
Which to aryve had there no licence.  
And them purpose for to done offence.  
By likelyhed and his land to grieve.  
For they of pride without any love,  
Or safe conduit have the strand tale.  
And such masteries on the land they make,  
As in their power were all manner thing,  
Without regard plainly to thy king.  
¶ Of his estate taking though none heed.  
Of such strangers great is for to dread.  
If men by laches other negligence,  
Fully to wit what is their pretence,  
But forth prolong and no peril cast,  
Such sudden thing would be wist as fast,  
And not differred till the harm be do.  
For it were wisdom that it were so.  
Men may to long suffer and abide,  
Of negligence for to let slide,  
For to inquire of their governance,  
This was the speech of the dalliance,  
every to other by revelaciowne,  
In every street throughout Troy town.  
Some rowning and some spoke abroad,  
And this speech so long there abode,  
From one to an other soothly that the sown,  
Reported was to king Laomedowne.  
As ye have herd the which of wilfulness,  
Without counsel or aviseness.  
To hastily maked hath his sonde,  
To wit how they were hardy for to land.  
Beside his leave of presumption.  
Wherefore he bade that in conclusion,  
Without abode soon to remove.  
Or finally they should not eschew,  
To be compelled maugre who sayeth nay.  
And so the king upon a certain day,  
In haste hath sent his imbassadore,  
Unto jason of Greeks the governor,  
That neither thought harm nor villainy,  
But Innocent with his company,  
Disported him endlong on the strand.  
And ever hath do sith he came to land.  
And of the charge that he on him laid,  
And word by word to jason how he said,  
As in effect with every circumstance,  
This was the some plainly in substance.   

¶ How Lamedon king of Troy sent to jason commanding him and his fellowship forthwith to departed the confines of his countreith and of their answer sent again to the king. Ca v.  

THe wise worthy & famous of renown,  
The mighty king the noble Lamedowne,  
Hath unto you his message thus send.  
Of which th'effect as in sentement,  
Is this in sooth that he hath marvel,  
Into his land of your arivayle.  
Bringing with you Greeks not a few,  
And have no conduit for you for to show.  
Protection plainly nor licence,  
In prejudice of his magnificence.  
Wherefore he hath on me the charge laid,  
And will to you that it be platly said,  
That ye anon without more delay,  
Without noise or any more affray,  
Of Troy land the bonds that ye leave,  
Or you and yours he casteth for to grieve,  
And better it is with ease to depart,  
Than of folly your lives to jeoparte.  
In any wise for lack of providence.  
Against his will to make resistance.  
Other of pride or of wilfulness,  
For to be bold without aviseness,  
To interrupt his high felicity.  
For he desireth in tranquillity,  
To hold his reign withouten perturbaunce▪  
In whose parson is made such alliance,  
atween his manhood and Royal majesty,  
That they will suffer none of no degree,  
Him to disquiet in any manner wise.  
Wherefore I counsel as ye semen wise,  
To take good heed unto this that I say,  
And this his bidding not to disobey.  
¶ Lest ye offend his knightly excellence.  
For ye shall find as in experience,  
Without feyninge the sooth of that I tell.  
Take heed therefore I may no longer dwell.  
From point to point sith ye be wise and sage,  
For this is whole the effect of my message.   

When jason herd had of the messegere,  
These words all he 'gan to chaungen cheer.  
And kept him close with sober countenance,  
And was not Ireful hasty for grievance,  
Ne for no rancour he caught of his tale,  
Save in his face 'gan to waxed pale,  
Long abiding or he ought would say,  
And or he spoke any word again.  
As unto him that fro the king was sent,  
He 'gan disclose the some of his intent,  
Unto his folks standing round about,  
For unto them he though discured out,  
The message hole and first when he abraid,  
Then word by word thus to them he said.  
¶ Sirs he sayeth to you be it well know,  
Take heed I pray and that both high & low.  
How Lamedone that is the king of Troy,  
Hath sent to us a wonderful Lenuoye.  
Charging in haste to high out of his land,  
And asketh how we thus upon the strand,  
For to arrive hadden hardiness.  
Withouten leave see there his gentleness.  
And his freedom the which is not alight.  
How like a king he can himself acquit.  
Unto strangers that enter in his isle.  
For nought god wot but for a little while,  
Them to refresh and to depart anon.  
Like as ye can recorden everyone.  
And hereof bearen witness all and some.  
Alas freedom where is it now become.  
¶ Where is manhood and gentleness also,  
Which in a king together both two,  
Should of custom have their resting place.  
And where is honour that should also embrace.  
A lords heart which of kingly right,  
Of manly freedom with all his full might,  
Should strangers half refresh & recomfort.  
That afterward they might of him report.  
¶ Largesse expert manhood and gentillesse,  
That they have found in his worthiness.  
For if noblesse were aught of his ally,  
And freedom eke knit with his regally,  
So as longeth to honour of a king,  
He should have charged first of all thing,  
His worthy lieges with all that might please,  
To have showed their comfort & their ease;  
With all their might and their busy cure,  
Unto strangers that of adventure,  
Were in the sea fordryven and dismayed.  
And of our coming not be evil appayed.  
For if that he in any case semblable,  
Oether by fortune that is variable,  
By sort or hap that may not be withstand,  
arrived had into Greeks land,  
More honestly and like to his degree.  
He should of us have there received be.  
Like as it longeth unto gentry,  
But sith that he for aught I can espy,  
Hath freedom honour and humanity,  
At ones made out of his court to fly,  
Chose dishonour and let worship gone,  
There is no more but we shall everyone,  
That he hath chose help to fulfiil,  
When that power shall not be like his will.  
That is to say and sooth it shall be found,  
That his deed shall on himself rebound.  
Sith of malice he hath this work begun,  
peradventure or that the summer son,  
To zodiac hath thrice gone about.  
For let him trust and nothing be in doubt,  
We shall him serve with such as he hath sought,  
For if I live it shall be dear about.  
Albe thereof I set as now no tide,  
And in this land I will no longer abide,  
Till I have leysur better to sojourn.  
And with that word begun anon to fourne,  
With manly face and with a stern cheer,  
All suddenly unto the messagere.  
That fro the king was so unto him sent.  
And in this wise he showeth his intent.  
¶ My friend quoth he I have well understand,  
The message hole that thou hast took in hand,  
From thy king to bringen unto us.  
Right now unwarely & sith it standeth thus,  
That now I have his meaning every deal,  
From point to point and understand it well.  
word by word and plainly it conceived,  
And the gifts that we have received,  
On his behalf in this our great need,  
I will remember and take of it good heed.  
To every thing that thou hast to us brought.  
For trust well that I forget it nought.  
But shall imprint it surely in my mind.  
And withal this how goodly that we find,  
The great bounty in all manner thing.  
Within this land of Lamedone the king.  
His welcoming and his great cheer,  
And goodly sonde that thou bringest here.  
Not according as to our intent.  
For god well wot that we never meant,  
Harm unto him nor plainly no damage,  
To none of his of any manner age.  
And there upon the god's immortal,  
That of their kind been celestial,  
Unto record with all mine heart I take.  
And touching this my borrows I then make.  
In witnessing we meant none offence,  
Ne have not taken as by violence,  
Within this realm of woman child or man,  
And so thou mayest report if thou can.  
But for that we fordriven in the sea,  
Compelled were as of necessity,  
For to arrive as thou hast herd me sayne.  
Only to rest us here upon the plain.  
Without more unto a certain day,  
And afterward to hold forth our way,  
Upon our journey and make no tarrying.  
Like as thou mayst record unto thy king.  
And say him eke he shall the time see,  
That he peraventer shall mow thanked be,  
When time cometh by us or by some other.  
Go forth thy way & say him thus my brother.  
¶ And then anon as jason was in peace,  
The manly knight the worthy Hercules,  
When he had herd this thing fro point to point,  
He was anon brought into such disjoint,  
Of hasty rancour and of sudden Ire,  
The which his heart almost set a fire,  
That suddenly as he abreyde aback,  
Of high disdain even thus to him he spoke.  
With cheer askoyne unto the messengere.  
And said fellow be nothing in fear.  
Of our abiding but do the well certain,  
That are Titan his beams raise again,  
We shall depart and hence to ship gone,  
That of our men shall not be left one,  
Within this land & god to forne to morrow.  
And there upon have here my faith to borrow.  
For we no longer shall hold here sojourn,  
For else where we shall make our return,  
To morrow early by the day dawning,  
On pain of reproof and so go say thy king.  
And or three year if god us grant life,  
Maugre who grudgeth or maketh any strife  
Unto this land we shall again return,  
And cast anchor a while to sojourn.  
Take heed thereof and note well the time.  
A new change shall follow of this prime.  
And then his power shall not so large stretch,  
Of his safe conduit little shall we reach,  
I say the platly as is our intent,  
We will not have unto his mandment,  
But small regard and we that day abide.  
For taking leave shallbe set aside.  
Because he hath begonnen here a play,  
Which we shall quite by god if that we may.  
That turn shall into his own shame.  
And spare not to say thy king the same.  
¶ This messeger than 'gan again reply,  
And said sir ye may not me deny,  
Of honest my message to declare,  
Advice you well for I will not spare.  
The kings sonde plainly for to tell.  
And where so beye list to go or dwell,  
Ye may yet cheese who so be lief or loath,  
Ye have no cause with me to be wroth,  
For it sit not unto your worthiness,  
If ye take heed by way of gentellesse,  
Of manassing such arrows for to sheet,  
For bet it were your thretninge to let,  
And keep secret till ye be at your large,  
For certainly no parcel of my charge,  
Is to strive with you or make debate.  
But better is betimes than to late.  
That ye beware for harms that might fall.  
And for my part I say unto you all,  
It were pity that ye destroyed were.  
Or any man should hinder or do dear,  
So worthy persons in any manner wise.  
Which likely been to be discrete and wise.  
And lest with words as now I do you grieve,  
I say no more I take of you my leave.   

THe night ypassed at springing of the day,  
When that the lark with a blessed lay,  
Began to salve the lusty rows read,  
Of Phoebus' char that theridamas were freshly spread,  
Upon the bordure of the oriente.  
And Aurora of heart and hold intent,  
With the sweetness of her silver showers,  
Bedewed had the fresh summer flowers,  
And made the rose with new balm to fleet,  
The soot lily and the margarete,  
For to enclose their tender leaves white,  
Oppressed hearts with gladness to delight.  
That dreary were afore of nights tene.  
And honey suckels among the bushes green,  
Enbalmed had environ all the air.  
Long or Titan 'gan make his repair,  
With the brightness of his beams merry,  
For to rejoice all our Hemisperie.  
For long aforne are he did arise,  
This worthy jason in full hasty wise,  
And his fellow Hercules also,  
Ycharged have their shipmen have ado,  
To hale up anchor and them ready make,  
And bad in haste every man to take,  
The right way unto the ship anon.  
For in soothness this manly man jason,  
Thought he was not stuffed of main,  
To gin as than a were on Troy city.  
For he was not shortly to conclude,  
Equal in number nor in multitude,  
As for that time a were to begin.  
It was not likely that he should win.  
Victory as tho for they were but a few.  
And it sitteth nought for a man to hew,  
Above his head when it is over high,  
lest that the chips do fall in his eye.  
Wherefore of Troy they leave the costs believe,  
They drew up sail the ship began to drive,  
The wind was good the god's favourable,  
Fortune their friend though she be variable,  
And thus to Colchos safe they been ycome.  
And unto land safe both all and some,  
They been arrived in a little space.  
For in the sea found they have such grace,  
Of Neptunus that caused them as blyve,  
As I said erst at Colchos to aryve.   

NOw in this isle and in this little land,  
That Colchos hight ye shall understand,  
How that there was a royal chief city,  
In all that reign most of dignity.  
Of worthiness of riches and of fame,  
And jacomtes though it bore the name.  
Chiefest of all to speak of building,  
With streets large and curious of housinge.  
And therewith all dyched well without.  
Strong walled and toured round about.  
Of huge height and aloft battayled,  
And the right strongly lest they were assailed,  
With many palace stately and royal,  
For there was though the seat most principal,  
The king to abide better than else where.  
And at that time it happened him be there.  
And he was called Oetes as I read,  
Full renowned of knighthod and of manhood,  
And him about a well beseen mean,  
Like as was sitting unto his degree.  
And every where the lands enuirowne,  
The fame spread of his high renown.  
And all about this mighty chief city,  
Where as Oetes held his royal sea,  
Were rivers fresh of which the waters clean,  
Like crystal shone again the son sheen.  
Fair plains as Guydo beareth witness,  
And wholesome hills full of lustiness,  
And many lake and many lusty well.  
And there were eke mine author can you tell.  
Full many a park full fair & fresh to seen,  
And many wode and many a meadow green.  
With sundry flowers among the herbs meynt,  
Which on their stalk nature hath depaint,  
With sundry hews within and eke without.  
After the season as summer came about.  
For fishing fouling for hawking eke also,  
For venery and hunting both two,  
The place was right inly delightable.  
Of corn and grain passingly agreeable.  
And plenteous in all manner thing.  
For their men hard the birds freshly sing.  
In time of year in their harmony.  
That the noise and soot melody,  
On fresh branches full delicious,  
Rejoice would these folks amorous.  
Whom loves bronde had fired to the heart,  
And eft adawen of their pains smart.  
That certainly when that green Vere,  
Ypassed was aye fro year to year,  
And May was come the month of gladness,  
And fresh flora of flowers Empress,  
Had clad the soil new at her devise,  
This noble place was like to paradise.  
And Ceres goddess of largesse and foison,  
Such plenty gave unto that region,  
Of flesh, of fish, wine, victual and corn,  
That the liquor of her full horn,  
Upon the land so 'gan to rain and snow.  
That all astates yea both high and low,  
Lad their life in soveraiane suffisance.  
With all that nature could or might advance.  
This little isle with her gifts great,  
Like as toforne ye have hard me treat,  
For there was plenty & there was abundance,  
And there was all that might do pleasance.  
To any heart and all commodity.  
And so befell that to this city,  
jason is come and with him Hercules.  
And after them followeth all the pres.  
Full well arrayed and royally be sayne.  
Their arms enclosed together twain and twain  
A people chose as it were for the nonce.  
And therewith all of brawns and of bones,  
every of them of making and fashion,  
Full well complete as by proportion.  
young of age and of good stature,  
Sad of countenance and full demure.  
That every wight had great pleasance.  
To see the manner of their governance.  
So young, so fresh, hardy and meek also,  
And all at ones they to the palace go.  
With such a cheer that every hath disport,  
To see the manner of their noble port.  
So gentylmanly they demeaned were,  
That the people press 'gan every where,  
To see these strangers like the greeks guise.  
Demean themself in so thrifty wise.  
And of desire the people ne would cease,  
About them to gather and impress.  
And to inquire what they might be,  
That of new with such a royalty,  
Ben suddenly entered into the town.  
Thus every would with his fellow rowne.  
They were so rude to stare and to gaze,  
To gape and look as it were in a maze.  
As townish folk done so commonly,  
Of every thing that falleth suddenly.  
But how Oetes like a worthy king,  
When that he hard first of their coming,  
receiveth them and holy the manner,  
If that ye list anon ye shall it here.   

When that the king hath soothly understand  
How the greeks come were to land,  
And how jason was also there with all,  
Borne by dissent of the blood royal,  
Of thessaly and likely to be heir,  
If he by grace have again repair,  
The adventures achieved of Colchos.  
The king anon out of his sea arose.  
Of gentillesse in all the haste he may,  
In goodly wise to meet them on the way.  
And them receiveth with a cheer benign,  
And unto them anon he doth assign,  
His officers tawayte them night and day.  
Charging them in every manner way,  
That what soever may to them do ease,  
Or any thing that may them queme or please,  
That they it have in foison and plenty.  
everich of them like to his degree.  
Thus he commanded in all manner thing,  
And than anon this noble worthy king,  
As he that was of freedom a mirror,  
Through many hall and many rich tour,  
By many turn and many divers way,  
By many gree made of marble grey,  
Hath them conveyed a full easy pace,  
Till he them brought there his chamber was.  
Where he with them held his dalliance.  
And there anon with every circumstance,  
Of manly freedom he made unto them cheer.  
And in his chamber englosed bright & clear,  
That shone full sheen with gold & with azure,  
Of many image that there was in picture.  
He hath commanded to his officers,  
Only in honour of them that were strangers,  
spices and wine and after that anon,  
The young fresh the lusty man jason,  
As fast 'gan by licence of the king,  
For to declare the cause of this coming.  
But first the king with great royalty,  
Ascended is into his royal sea.  
Clothes of gold ranged environ,  
After the custom of that region.  
That to behold it was a noble sight,  
standing about many a worthy knight.  
And many a squire and many a gentleman,  
Full well beseen and the king right than,  
Unto jason standing in presence,  
Commanded hath of his magnificence,  
With Hercules to sit a down beside.  
And jason than no longer list abide,  
Of his coming the cause for to show.  
The effect of which was this in words few.  
Save jason first ere he his tale began,  
Full well advised and cheered like a man.  
conceived hath and noted wonder well,  
From point to point his matter everydeal.  
And not forgot a word in all his speech.  
But even like as rhetoric doth teach,  
He 'gan his tale so by craft convey,  
To make the king to that which he would say,  
condescend and rather to incline.  
For to assent that he might fine,  
Of his coming the knightly high emprise,  
Thus word by word as I shall here devise.   

RIght worthy prince present in this place,  
Only with support of your high grace,  
And your goodness most excellent & dign  
With patience of your favour benign,  
Displease it not that I may say and show,  
And eft declare with words but few,  
The final ground and cause of my coming.  
So that ye list which been so noble a king,  
In goodly wise without more offence,  
Of courtesy to give aundience.  
To my request and that ye not disdain,  
Goodly to grant that I may attain,  
In this isle if it may me avail,  
The flese of gold freely to assail.  
As the gods in this mine adventure.  
list to ordain for my fatal eure.  
In whom lieth all plainly and fortune,  
For to govern things in common.  
In were and peace conquest and victory,  
And of arms the renown and glory.  
discomfiture and bringing to outraunce,  
All lieth in them to hinder or tavaunce,  
Again whose might no mortal man may cheese,  
But for all this where so I win or lose,  
Or life or death be fine of my labour,  
If that ye list to do me this favour,  
To give me leave and no more delay,  
I am accorded fully for to assay,  
Like as the statute maketh mention,  
Me list to make none acception.  
Upon no side favour for to find.  
But as the rites plainly maken mind,  
What ever fall I shall them under fonge.  
Lowly beseeching that ye not prolong,  
My purpose now nor make no delay,  
But of your grace set to me a day,  
Mine enterprise that I may achieve.  
For mine abode stant upon your leave.  
saith but one word of granting at the lest,  
And than I have the fine of my request.  
¶ And when the king had herd seriously,  
th'intent of jason said so manfully,  
He stint alyte and kept him close a while,  
Till at the last he goodly 'gan to smile,  
Towards jason and said unto him thus.  
jason quod he albe thou desirous,  
To underfonge this passing high emprise,  
My counsel is like as I shall devise.  
Full prudently for to cast aforne,  
The mortal peril or that thou be lost.  
For in this thing there is a law ysette,  
By chauntement that may not be ylette,  
Nor remedied for favour nor for meed.  
For death in sooth who so taketh heed,  
Is the guerdon platly or they twin.  
Of them that cast the flese of gold to win.  
For help is none in manhood nor fortune,  
The straight way is so importune,  
So dreadful eke and so full of rage,  
That save death there lieth no passage.  
Of victory the palm to conquer.  
For soothly jason as I shall the lere,  
Founded of old by marvelous working,  
By the statutes of this mortal thing,  
So sore bound under my regal,  
That the rigour I may not modify.  
Wherefore jason or thou this thing attame,  
lest afterward on me were laid the blame,  
Of thy losing or thy destruction,  
Of faithful heart and true entention,  
I warn the myself for to quite.  
So that no man justly shall me wite.  
Though thou of youth & of thy wilfulness  
Thy life destroy without avysynesse.  
Sith I jason of this perilous case,  
From point to point have told the all the case,  
Be now advised and put no fault in me,  
For the surplus freely lieth in the.  
Of all this thing sith thou mayst cheese,  
And where so be that thou win or less,  
No man to me it justly may arecte.  
For that law that Mars himself set,  
No mortal man of right may duly pass.  
For high or low he getteth none other grace.  
Than the gods list for him ordain.  
What ever he be that cast him to darrayne,  
This divers thing most furious of dread.  
Wherefore jason how ever that thou speed,  
I have to the openly declared,  
holy the peril and for favour spared,  
As far in sooth as reason will and right.  
For thou wottest well it lieth not in my might,  
For to declare or any man to let,  
That of manhood knightly cast to set,  
Upon this thing as thou hast heard me tell.  
What should I longer in this matter dwell.  
It were but vain for now thou knowest all,  
Beware of her that turneth as a ball.  
For at this time thou gettest no more of me,  
Do as thou list I put the choice in the.  
And with that word the king rose up anon,  
Upon the time when he should gone,  
Unto his meat and jason by his side.  
As ye shall here if so ye list abide.   

THe time approacheth & 'gan to neigh fast,  
That officers full busyly them cast,  
To make ready with all their busy cure.  
And in the hall boards for to cure.  
For by the dial the hour they 'gan to mark,  
That Phebus southward whirled up his ark  
So high a loft that it drew to none.  
That it was time for the king to gone,  
Unto his meat and enter into hall.  
And than Oetes with his lords all,  
And with his knights about him everichon,  
With Hercules and also with jason,  
It set to meat in his royal sea.  
And every lord like to his degree.  
But first of all this worthy man jason,  
Assigned was by the king anon,  
For to sit at his own board.  
And Hercules that was so great a lord.  
Was set also fast by his side.  
And the marshal no longer list abide,  
To assign estates where they should be.  
Like as they were of high or low degree.  
And after that on scaffold high aloft,  
The noise 'gan loud and nothing soft.  
Of trumpeters and eke of clarioneres.  
And there with all the noble officers,  
Full thryftely served have the hall.  
Like as the season 'gan that time fall.  
With all dainties that may reckoned be,  
That soothfastly the foison and plenty,  
Of kingly freedom unto high and low,  
So fulsomly 'gan there to reign and snow,  
That through the hall was the manhood praised.  
Of the king and his renown raised.  
That can his gests soothly for to say,  
When that him lysteth cheer and festey.  
So like a king and in so thrifty wise,  
With all dainty that man can devise,  
For at this feast and solemnity,  
The greeks might the great nobly see,  
Of king Oetes and the worthiness,  
And by report thereof bear witness,  
Where so they come after all their live.  
I want cunning by order to describe,  
Of every course the diversities.  
The strange sews and the sotyltees.  
That were that day served in that place,  
Have me excused though I lightly pass,  
Though I can not all in order sayne,  
Mine english is to rude and eke to plain.  
For to indite of so high a thing.  
But forth I will rehearse how the king.  
To show his gests his nobley over all.  
Hath for his daughter sent in special.  
And bid she should forth anon be brought,  
The which in south though men had sought,  
The world throughout I do you plain assure,  
Men might a found no fairer creature.  
More womanly of port nor manner.  
Nor more demure nor sadder of her cheer.  
Whose beauty was not likely for to fade,  
And when she came the greeks for to glade,  
The hall in sooth she walketh up and down,  
Of womanhood and pure affectiowne.  
To make cheer unto these gests new.  
And thus Medea, with her rosin hew,  
And with the freshness of the lily white,  
So intermeddled kindly by delight,  
That nature made in her face spread,  
So equally the white with the read,  
That the meddling in conclusion,  
So was ennewed by proportion,  
That finally excess was there none.  
Of one nor other for both two in one.  
So joined were long to endure,  
By the empress that called is nature.  
For she her made like to her devise,  
That to behold it was a paradise.  
In very soothe both to one and all,  
Of old and young that sitten in the hall.  
Thereto she was as by succession,  
Borne to be heir of that region.  
After her father by descent of line.  
If she abide and dure after his fine.  
Sith he ne had by right to succeed,  
One heir male that I can of read.  
She was also the book maketh mention,  
Were unto years of discretion.  
Able for age married for to be.  
And not withstanding also eke that she,  
Was of beauty and of womanhood,  
One of the fairest that I can of read,  
Yet none of both have her youth let,  
That to clergy was her desire set.  
So passingly that in special,  
In all the arts called liberal,  
She was expert and knowing at the best,  
It was her ure to can what her list.  
Of such a woman heard I never tell.  
At Helicon she drank so of the well.  
That in her time was there none semblable.  
I found in sooth ne none that was so able,  
As to conceive by study and doctrine.  
And of natures to dispute and termine,  
She could also and the causes find,  
Of allthings form as by kind.  
She had in learning so her time spent,  
That she knew of the firmament,  
The true course and of the stars all.  
And by their moving what that should fall.  
So was she learned in astronomy.  
But most she wrought by nycromancye.  
With exorsismes and conjurations,  
And used also to make illusions,  
With her charms said in sundry wise.  
And with rites of divers sacrifice.  
Encens and riches cast into the fire,  
To show the things like to her desire,  
With gootes horns and with milk & blood.  
When the moan equat was and stood,  
In the fifth or in the sixth house.  
And was fortuned with looking gracious.  
To these an hour that were convenient,  
And fortunate as by enchantment,  
To make and work sundry apparences,  
So well she knew the heavenly influences.  
And aspects both wroth and glad,  
For she by them all her things made.  
That appertain to such experiments.  
For when her list by her enchantments,  
She could make the winds for to blow,  
To thondre lighten and to hail & snow.  
And frenzy also to grieve men with pain,  
And suddenly she could make to rain.  
And show what wether that her list to have.  
And gasten men with sudden earth quave.  
And turn the day unwarely unto night:  
And then anon make the son bright.  
Show his beams full piercing & full sheen,  
With golden horns to void nights tene.  
And raise the floods which many a dreadful wawe,  
And when her list she could them eft withdraw.  
Eke young trees to sear root and rind,  
And afterward make them again in kind.  
With lusty branches bloom & bud new.  
Also in winter with flowers fresh of hew,  
Array the earth and tapyte him in green.  
That to behold a joy it was to seen.  
With many colour showing full divers,  
As white and read green ynde and pers.  
The deysy with her rich perled crown,  
And other flowers that winter made frown,  
Upon their stalk freshly for t'appear.  
And suddenly with a deadly cheer,  
She could summer into winter turn.  
Causing the day with mists for to moon.  
And old men she could make young,  
And eft again or any here was sprung,  
She could them show both in head & beard.  
Full hoar and grey in craft so was she lerede.  
And trees with fruit she could also make bare,  
Of rind and leaf to do men on them stare.  
Eclipse the moan and the bright son,  
Or naturally they had their course yronne,  
To them apropred which they may not pass.  
For if that Tytanes course by kindly trase.  
When so he moveth under the clyptik line,  
The eclipse mott follow as auctors list define  
So that there be by their description,  
Of both twain full conjunction.  
And that the son with his beams red,  
Have his dwelling in the dragon's head.  
And the moan be set eke in the tail,  
As by nature than it may not fail,  
That there must fall eclipse of very need,  
In sundry books like as ye may read.  
Because of certain interfecations,  
Of divers circles and revolutions,  
That maked been in the heaven aloft.  
Which causen us for to fail oft.  
Of the fresh and comfortable streams,  
That be us shed from Phebus bright beams.  
For so the moan hath made division,  
By this sudden interposition,  
That of our sight the streams visual,  
May not behold nor yet yseen at all.  
Nor to our lust fully comprehend,  
How Phoebus in his chair is chevansende.  
As we were wont aforehand for to see.  
But of all this the great Ptholome,  
King of Egypt telleth the causes why.  
Within his book and that compendiously.  
Both of Eclyps' and conjunction.  
And why they fall by natural motion.  
But of Medee though this clerk Ovid,  
Tincrease her name upon every side,  
List such things in his fables tell,  
Though he of poets was the spring & well,  
Yet god forbid ye should give credence,  
To such feigning or do so high offence.  
Sith of nature it must be denied.  
All such affirming and likewise be diffyed,  
Of every christian steadfast in believe.  
For certainly it would highly grieve.  
Our conscience in any wise to ween,  
Against kind which is so high a queen.  
That any wight or living creature,  
Should have power I do you plain assure,  
So cursed things superstitious,  
To do or work to kind contrarious.  
¶ For god almighty judge of judges all,  
Hath set a law the which may not fall.  
Among planets eternally tendure.  
Afore ordained in his eternal cure.  
The which may not as clerks list termine,  
Upon no side bowen nor decline.  
But as they were from discord or debate,  
Eternally yformed and create,  
Through the finger of his sapience,  
Always to move in their intelligence,  
Like as they be to his lordship bound,  
For never yet was eclipse yfound,  
The moan not being inconiunction.  
As I have told save in the passion.  
The which eclipse was tho against kind,  
Nature her knot that time list unbind.  
When gods son starfe upon the rood,  
The son of life was darked for our good.  
When heaven and earth with high compunction,  
Have signs showed of lamentation.,  
By earthquakes light turned to darkness,  
And dead bodies upward 'gan them dress.  
From their tombs again from death to live,  
Stone and rock a sunder 'gan to rive.  
In the temple the veyll was kut a two,  
And signs many were yshewed tho,  
That for the wondre and tokens marvelous,  
The great worthy Dyonysyous,  
Vhiche at Athenes as clekes of him write,  
Was called in schools Ariopagyte.  
He when he saw this noble famous clerk,  
The bright day suddenly so dark,  
Although he were apaynym in though days,  
And was infect with rites of their lays,  
As he that was most chief and principal,  
Of philosophers for to reckon all.  
Yet that time atoned in his mind,  
Said platly other the god of kind,  
suffereth the death other out of doubt,  
This round world which is so large about,  
shallbe dissolved and ybrought to nought.  
By sudden change hasty as a thought,  
By his clergy he knew no better skill,  
For god may all chaungen at his will,  
And hath power of such coaction,  
Under whose might and disposition,  
Is law of kind constrained sooth to say,  
From point to point lowly to obey.  
In every thing that him list ordain.  
Of elements he may the course restrain.  
As holy writ doth witness ye may see,  
How at request of worthy joshua,  
The bright son stood at Gabaon,  
Adays space in one degree and shone.  
Showing token to his true knight,  
Finally and for to give him light,  
That he might by his high prowess,  
His cruel soon manfully oppress.  
When that he fought this knight this joshua,  
With five kings reigning in Amoree.  
So long last the pursuit and the chase,  
Till they were take & for their high trespass,  
Dempt to be dead the Bible can you tell.  
Now sith that god thus highly list fulfil,  
This his knights request and orison,  
What wonder was though in the passion,  
Of Christ jesus incarnate for our sake,  
The son beams as though were waren black.  
Sith he hath lordship of the planets all.  
And as him list it must needily fall.  
For of Medea though Ouydyus,  
In his fables writeth and saith thus,  
As he that list her name so high exalt,  
Yet in the truth somewhile doth he halt.  
Albe she were a passing sorceress.  
And chiefest named of any chaunteresse.  
¶ I will pass over again to my matter,  
And how she came to meat ye shall en here.  
When her father had thus for her sent,  
she came anon at his commandment.  
But or she came I find that tofore,  
For to make her beauty see men more,  
She in her closet took her best array.  
For t'increase in all that ever she may,  
Natures work with royal apparel.  
For these women gladly will not fail,  
When they of beauty, have plenteous largesse,  
It to embellyshe they do their business.  
With rich a tire upon every side.  
If ought be miss they can it close and hide.  
For all the foul shall covertly be wried,  
That no default outward be espied.  
¶ But she was fair and also well be sayne,  
And in her port so womanly certain,  
That at her coming gladeth all the hall.  
For it was joy both unto one and all,  
To see the manner though of her entry.  
To whom her father bad to take her see,  
Beside jason him for to disport.  
Of womanhood and for to recomfort.  
¶ But oh alas here lacked high prudence.  
Discrete advice of inward providence,  
Wisdom also with peril cast aforne,  
To trust amayde of tender years yborn,  
Of light unhappy fond wilfulness.  
For this king of his gentleness,  
Commanded hath to his confusion,  
To his dishonour and destruction,  
His own daughter borne to be his heir,  
That was also so womanly and fair,  
So suddenly down for to descend.  
Considered not the mischief of the end.  
Alas why dared he in her youth affy,  
To make her sit of his courtesy.  
Where as she might by casual motion,  
Full lightly catch or have occasion,  
To do amiss alas why did he so.  
Why list he not take better heed thereto.  
Nor to avert in his discretion,  
Wisely to cast afore as in reason,  
The unware change that is in womanhood.  
Which every wise man ought for to dread.  
For who was ever yet so mad or wood,  
That aught of reason could aright his good,  
To give faith or hastily credence,  
To any woman without experience.  
In whom is neither trust nor sickerness.  
They been so double and full of brytylnesse,  
That it is hard in them to assure.  
For unto them it longeth of nature,  
From their birth to have alliance,  
With doubleness and with variance,  
Their hearts be so frail and so unstable,  
Namely in youth so moving and mutable.  
That so as clerks of them list tendyte,  
Albe that I am sorry for to write,  
They say that change and mutability,  
Apropred been unto feminite.  
This is affirmed of them that were full sage,  
And specially while they be green of age.  
In their waxing and when that they be young,  
Whose heart full seld accordeth with her tongue.  
For if the troth inwardly be sought,  
With the surplus & remnant of their thought,  
Men may anon the true patron find.  
Of inconstance whose flaskysable kind,  
Is to and fro moving as a wind.  
That Hercules were not strong to bind,  
Nother Samson so as I believe,  
A woman's heart to make it not remove.  
For as the blaze whyrleth of a fire,  
So to and fro they flee in their desire.  
Till they accomplish fully their delight,  
For as nature by kindly appetite.  
Kindly seeketh to sewen after form,  
Till he his course by process may perform.  
Even so these women refrain them ne can,  
To sew their lust as fro man to man,  
They will not cease till all be assayed.  
But would god as nature is apaid,  
With one form and holdeth him content,  
When of his bounds he hath the term went  
And not desire ferther to proceed,  
But still abyte and will it not exceed,  
That by example all sorts women would,  
Abide in one as they of duty should.  
And hold them paid and still there abide,  
But fail of foting doth them oft to slide.  
For they be not content with unity,  
But fast they sewen to find pluralitee.  
So of nature to meaning they be showed,  
Although among by signs outward showed  
They oft pretend a manner stableness.  
But under that is hid their doubleness.  
So well yreke that outward at the eye,  
Full hard it is the treason to espy.  
Under curtyn and veil of honest,  
Is closed change and mutabilitye.  
For their desire is kept full close in mewe,  
Of thing that they had liefest for to sew.  
Only outward for to have a laud,  
They can decline which feigning & with fraud.  
¶ Wherefore Oetes thy wit was to barren.  
That thou afore by prudence naddest sayne.  
What should follow of this unhappy case.  
Why were thou bold thus to suffer alas.  
Thine own daughter inly fresh of hew,  
With strange gests entered but of new,  
So folilye for to let her deal.  
Where through thin honour worship & thin hele  
Was lost in haste & she to mischief brought.  
In strange land with sorrow & with thought.  
Where as she in slander of thy name,  
With misery with sorrow and with shame.  
An end made and thou were left sole,  
That mightest well complain & maken dole.  
Alas the while if by prudent foresight,  
Thou hadst had grace for to record aright,  
And to have cast by discrete purveyance,  
And wisely weighed by measure in balance,  
The fraud of women and the frailty,  
In whom full seld is any sykertye,  
As in his latin Guydo doth express.  
Wherefore Oetes of very rychelesnesse,  
Thou hast at ones in augment of thy woe,  
Without recure both the two forego.  
first thy treasure and thy daughter dear,  
That was to the so passingly enter.  
And eke thine heir for when that she was gone,  
As saith mine Author other was there none.  
After thy day for to occupy,  
Thy royal sceptre nor thy land to gye.  
¶ But what was worth the great providence,  
The waker keeping the busy diligence,  
Of mighty Mars that god is of battle,  
What might it help defend or ought avail,  
Again the wit of woman or the sleight.  
Whose frauds been of so huge weight,  
That as them list aye the game goeth,  
Their purpose bideth who so be lief or loath.  
They be so sly so prudent and so wise.  
For as this story plainly doth devise,  
This Medea by her engine and craft,  
From her father hath his treasure raft.  
Through the working of her slighty guile,  
As ye shall hear within a little while.  
For as she sat at meat though in that tide,  
Her father next and jason by her side,  
All suddenly her fresh and rosin hew,  
Full oft time 'gan chaungen and renew.  
An hundredth scythes in a little space.  
For now the blood from her goodly face,  
Unto her heart unwarely 'gan avale.  
And therewithal she waxeth dead and pale.  
And eft anon who thereto can take heed,  
Her hew returneth in to goodly read,  
But still among temblyshe her colour,  
The rose was meynt aye with the lily flower.  
And though the rose some deal 'gan to pace,  
Yet still the lily bideth in his place.  
Till nature made them eft again to mete.  
And thus with cold and eke which sudden heat,  
Was Medea in herself assailed,  
And passingly sore vexed and travailed.  
For now she brent and now she 'gan to cold.  
And aye the more that she 'gan behold,  
This jason young the more she 'gan desire,  
To look on him so was she set afyre.  
With his beauty and his seemliness.  
And every thing she inly 'gan inpresse,  
What that she saw both in mind & thought,  
She all emprynteth and forgetteth nought.  
For she considereth every circumstance,  
Both of his port and his governance,  
His sonnyshe hair crisped like gold wire,  
His knightly look and his manly cheer.  
His countenance with many noble sign.  
His face also most gracious and benign.  
Most acceptable unto her pleasance.  
For as she thought it was full suffisance.  
Without more as unto her alone,  
Well to bethink and look on his parson.  
For in that time withouten any dread,  
Of meat or drink she took but little heed.  
For she of food hath lost her appetite,  
To look on him she hath so great delight.  
He was so printed in her remembrance,  
Love hath her caught so newly in a trance.  
And her ymarked with his fiery brand.  
That she may not escape from his hand.  
Nor yet eschew his stroke in special,  
For she was yold body heart and all,  
Unto this jason platly for to say.  
And ever eft on him she cast an eye,  
When that she found a leisure opportune.  
But of her wisdom she would not contune,  
To looken long lest men dempt amiss.  
But as the manner of these women is,  
She kept her close and wonderly secre,  
That by her cheer no man could see,  
What that she meant by none occasion.  
She put them out of all suspection.  
For openly there was no tokens seen,  
She cast rather that men shoulden ween,  
That the encheason of her abstinence,  
And why that she abode in thus silence,  
How that it was only of womanhood,  
Of honest shame and of chaste dread,  
That both together in her heart met.  
The which twain have so this maiden let,  
For meat and drink as it would seem.  
Thus by her wit she made them for to dame.  
And so to cast in their opinion.  
And thus she blended them by discretion.  
For so her cheer could every thing excuse,  
She gave to fools no matter on to muse.  
¶ No cheer unbridled that time her asterte,  
For there was one thing closed in her heart,  
An alder other in her cheer declared.  
For maidens have oft sith spared,  
To show out that they desire in deed.  
As it falleth who so can take heed.  
That while they flourens in virgynitye,  
And for their youth have no liberty,  
To specyfy that their hearts would,  
They keep them close for they be not bold,  
To show out the sum of their sentence.  
And thus Medea keeping aye silence,  
Ne let no word by her lips pace,  
But covertly with sober cheer and face,  
And what she meant showeth with her eye,  
In such a sort that no man could espy,  
The hoot fire in her breast yreke.  
And in herself right thus she 'gan to speak.  
As she in sooth that so much good can,  
So would god this young lusty man,  
Which so fair and seemly in my sight.  
Assured were to be my own knight.  
Which is to me most pleasant and entire.  
With beard ysprung shining like gold wire.  
So well ylimed and compact by measure,  
Well grow on height and of good stature,  
And liketh me in every part so weal,  
That by assent of Fortune and her wheel,  
I ewred were to standen in his grace.  
For as me seemeth upon his knightly face,  
It is to me an heaven to behold,  
Albe therewith my heart I feel cold.  
And yet in sooth it may none other be,  
Alas why nill he not do pity me.  
Or at the lest he knew in his intent,  
How much troth to him that I meant.  
Of which alas he taketh no manner heed.  
Albe for him I burn as doth the gleed.  
And to be dead I dare not me discure.  
Alas my piteous woeful adventure,  
To rewful is helpless my mortal pain,  
Thus to be dead & dare me not complain.  
To friend nor foo of this my chance alas.  
To finds some help or secure in this case.  
And truly nathles as I shall devise,  
I nothing mean but that in honest wise.  
Like as it shall well openly be found.  
For I desire to be knit and bound,  
With him in wedlock & never thence to twine,  
So is my meaning clean devoyde of sin.  
Grounded and set upon all cleanliness,  
Without fraud or any doubleness.  
So clean and pure is mine entention.  
Lo aye the manner and condition,  
Of these women that so well can feign,  
And show one though they think twain.  
And covertly that nothing be sayne,  
With humble cheer and with face plain,  
Enclose their lusts by such subtlety,  
Under the bounds of all honesty,  
Of their intent though the treachery,  
Withal the surplus smoothly covered be.  
And though that they faith afore pretend,  
And can their fraud with flourishing defend,  
And speak full fair the word forth to blend,  
With doubleness enclosed in the end.  
Yet a deceit is covertly yment,  
Under the sugar of feigned clean intent.  
As it were sooth in very existence.  
But trust me well all is but appearance.  
They can show one and another mean,  
Whose blue is lightly died into green.  
For under flowers depaint of stableness,  
The serpent dareth of newfangelnesse.  
So plain they seem with words fair glossed,  
But underneath their covert wiles be closed.  
For what thing is dearest to their pay,  
They will deny and rathest swearen nay.   

THis liketh Guydo of women to indite,  
Alas that he so cursedly would write,  
Against them or with them have debate.  
I am right sorry in english to translate,  
reproof of them or any evil to say,  
For me were liefer for their love to die.  
Wherefore I pray them to take patience,  
I purpose not to do to them offence,  
They be so good and perfit everichone.  
To reckon all I trow there be not one,  
But that they be in will and heart true.  
For though among they cheese them loves new.  
Who weigheth it well they be nothing to blame,  
For often time they see men do the same.  
They must purvey them when men them refuse,  
And if I could I would them full excuse.  
It sitteth not a woman live alone,  
It is no store but they have more than one,  
Praying to them for to do me grace,  
For as I hope to them is no trespass,  
Though my making be the same in all,  
As Guido writeth in his original.  
Where he missayeth do let him bear the wife,  
For it sit well that the vengeance bite,  
On him that so these women hath offended,  
And if I might it should be well amended.  
He should receive duly his penance,  
For if he died withouten repentance,  
I am despaired of his salvation.  
How he should ever have remission.  
But if he were content to do redress.  
It may not been as clerks bear witness.  
And by my troth and he were alive,  
I mean Guido and I should him shrive,  
So bitter penance plainly he should have,  
That to the time that he were deep ygrave,  
He should remember and platly not asterte,  
For to repent with all his hole heart.  
That he so spoke to his confusion,  
I will no longer make disgressyon,  
From my matter but letteth Guydo be,  
And tell I shall the working of Medee.  
That hath licence of her father nome,  
And to her chamber is alone ycome.  
When out of hall withdrawn was all the pres,  
And when jason and this Hercules,  
Like as the king after meat bad,  
To their chambres conveyed were and lad.  
Full royally arrayed and well be sayne,  
For every wall was covered in certain,  
With cloth of gold in full stately wise,  
And in this while as ye have herd devise,  
Was Medea to her chamber gone.  
Whereby herself complaining ever in one,  
She gave an issue to her pains smart,  
That her so sore hath wounded to the heart.  
For love hath brought her in so sudden rage,  
That was not likely soon for to assuage,  
For in soothness the furious god Cupid,  
Hath such a fire kindled in her side,  
That it was never lykly for to let.  
So violent and fervent was the heat.  
That more and more increase 'gan her pain.  
For in her breast there was atwyxt twain.  
A great debate and a strong battle.  
So fervently each other did assail.  
And this contek in ernes and in game,  
Departed was betwixt love and shame.  
Meeting together there at unset steven.  
Albe the field was not tho parted even,  
For love in sooth full of high renown,  
Was bold and hardy like a fierce lion.  
And was not fearful of spear sword nor knife  
But hot and hasty for to auntre life.  
Eke surquidous stout and full of pride,  
Chief champion of the god cupid.  
That causeth oft both to free and bond,  
Full many peril for to take on hand.  
And caused hath full many man his death,  
And many one to yelden up the breath.  
And made their wounds largely for to bleed,  
For of peril love taketh none heed.  
To get him honour by excellence of fame.  
¶ But contrary his enemy called shame,  
Like a coward faint and heartless,  
As he that never dare be seen in pres,  
For lack of manhood draweth him ever aback,  
He is so feared and dreadful of the wreck.  
Like to a child young and tender of age.  
For he hath neither heart nor yet courage,  
For to assail so feeble is his might,  
And yet full oft he hath stand in the sight,  
Of many lover and let him for to speed,  
Through false conspiring of his brother dread,  
For dread and shame when they be allied.  
Of one assent have piteously denied,  
As unto love both heart and herdinesse.  
That he ne durst out a word express.  
For when that love of manhood willeth speak.  
The wood fire out of his breast to reek,  
Upon the point when he should assay,  
Shame cometh anon & utterly sayeth nay.  
And causeth love his horns for to shrink,  
Tabashe his cheer & piteously to wink.  
Cowardly his cause tho to appair.  
And thus is shame froward & like contrair,  
Through help of dread loves folk to fear.  
For doubtless if so be shame nought ne were,  
As it is couth aswell nigh as far,  
Love in his laws should often time err.  
And wind him out of honesty his chain,  
Of his bonds both bridle break & rain.  
Right as an horse out of the trayse at large,  
For light or nought lovers would take charge,  
To use their will and all their lust tensewe.  
But all the while that shame is kept in mewe,  
Within his breast so that no wight it know,  
Outward in port love beareth him full low,  
For ne were shame as clekes have compiled,  
Out of their hearts danger were exiled.  
All strangeness and feigned false disdain,  
For ne were shame plainly the warden,  
Of these women by writing of these old,  
Without assault the castle were yyolde.  
It were no need a siege for to lain,  
For in such case long treaty were in vain.  
For of nature they loven no process.  
¶ But now alas dread and shamefastness,  
Have daunted love in full low manner,  
And made him humble both of port & cheer.  
And they have eke by their violence,  
For all his manhood put him in silence.  
And been great cause of morning of his pain.  
And thus amids of either of these twain,  
Of love and shame even so upon the point,  
Medea stood as though in great disjoint.  
That she ne may the pain not to endure,  
So hoot she brent this woeful creature.  
Betwixt both I mean love and shame.  
For when that love would any thing attain,  
Of his desires to declare them out,  
Came shame anon & put him in a doubt.  
With ready dread her lust for to deny.  
And thus she stood in doubtful jeopardy,  
Of love and shame in manner of a trance,  
Full evenly uphanged in balance.  
For shame was great & love was yet that more,  
As well appeared by her sighs sore,  
And by her stormy cruel adventure,  
For dread and shame durst she not discure,  
The fire that love hath in her breast enclosed.  
Which was full hard for to be deposed.  
And thus she hang amids between two,  
That she ne wist what was best to do.  
Till that fortune with her double face,  
Unhappily hath wrought to get her grace,  
With the whirling of her wheel about,  
That causeth wretches full low adown to lout,  
When they best ween to satin high aloft.  
By plain proof as men may see full oft.  
By gerinesse of this her revolution.  
For so this lady of transmutation,  
Full oft time false and full unstable,  
Enhasteth things to fools full agreeable.  
Which in the end to their confusion,  
Can under sugar shroud her poison.  
For aye fortune as her manner is,  
To wretches showeth other than it is.  
By fair semblant and face of flattery,  
As she that can with full benign an eye,  
Fully of fools parfourmen the intent.  
Where through they be in great mischief shent  
At the end and can no craft t'eschew,  
To sudden harm that at her tail doth sew.  
Right as it fell whilom of Medee,  
Gynning and ground of her adversity.  
¶ For this lady that called is Fortune,  
Ygraunted hath a leisure opportune,  
To show jason holy all her heart,  
Which made her after with repentance sinerte.  
For on a day after Meredien,  
When that Apollo with his beams sheen,  
From the south plague 'gan to wester fast,  
Oetes her father hath send in haste,  
To Medea to come to him anon.  
And bad to her that she should gone,  
Unto jason and to Hercules,  
To make them cheer amids of all the pres.  
And when she caught hath opportune & space,  
To her desire and saw eke in the place,  
That then her father was most occupied,  
As she that thought not for to been espied.  
Well apperceiving his great business,  
Towards jason anon she 'gan her dress.  
And he in haste with a full knightly cheer,  
In courteous wise 'gan to drawn near.  
Towards her again & saw there was no let.  
And when that they were thus together met,  
This Mede a with sighing first abraid,  
And sith to jason even thus she said.    

¶ How jason through the only help of Medea Oetes daughter, the king of Colchos enamoured of him he achieved the conquest of the golden flese. Cap. vi.  

IAson quod she of thine high noblesse,  
Of thy manhood and of thy gentleness,  
In thy person assembled both yfeare,  
But of thy knighthood first I the reqire,  
In thy conceit and thine opinion,  
Not to arrecte as to presumption,  
To doubleness nor yet to inconstance,  
Of womanhood neither to variance,  
That I am bold & can for nothing spare,  
To you my meaning platly to declare,  
Without deceit in words true and plain,  
Beseeching first to that which I shall say,  
Without more of your goodly heed,  
Beningnely for to taken heed.  
And patiently that to my words ye list,  
And what I say to take it for the best.  
In your intent and nothing you to grieve,  
For things two mine heart sore ameve,  
That is to say love and gentleness,  
What that I mean clearly to express,  
To your person and nothing to conceal.  
Or we depart by proof as ye shall feel.  
For as me seemeth first of courtesy,  
In soothfastness and sith of gentry,  
That to strangers every manner wight,  
Is bound and hold of very due right,  
To maken cheer and truly as for me,  
Because jason for that I in you see,  
So much manhood & so great worthiness,  
I will not feign with all my business,  
To further you in all that may you like.  
And with that word of heart she 'gan to sick,  
As for his sake and said thus overmore,  
For you I feel full great annoy and sore.  
That mened are without aviseness,  
Only of youth and wilful hardiness,  
The flese of gold to gotten if ye may.  
The which emprise who ever that assay,  
More perilous is plainly to achieve,  
In very sooth than ye could ween or leave.  
For doubtless this I do you well assure,  
The final meed of this great adventure.  
Is not but death save report of shame.  
For there ye ween to gotten you a name.  
The end plain shall turn into contrary,  
From the beginning so shall the fine vary.  
For wit of man no engine force or might,  
Though he be never so expert in fight,  
Or have in arms passing exercise,  
With all the sleights of old or new emprise,  
Or though he be best breathed to endure,  
Or what devise there be of his armure,  
Or what so ever weepen that he bring,  
Harded with steel triumphant or piercing.  
Yet at the last when he hath all sought,  
Without me avail he may right nought.  
¶ Wherefore jason I have compassion,  
On this your youth by pure affection.  
That wilfully ye shoulden thus be lost,  
That been of blood and line so high yborn.  
For certainly it may none other be,  
But if that ye your counsel take of me.  
For none but I may do you help or ease,  
Alas jason why will ye not appease,  
Your manly courage in this case yblent,  
And to my counsel been obedient.  
Then durst I swear ye should have victory,  
Ben remembered and put in memory,  
Perpetually & through your knighthod win,  
The flese of gold the which is yond within,  
In the isle that stands here beside.  
Of which that Mars is governor and guide.  
Wherefore at ones in yourself assent,  
And to my counsel fully do consent,  
At few words if so ye list to speed,  
And leave your lust and worketh by my reade.   

TO whom jason with full humble cheer,  
Answered & said mine own lady dear,  
I thank it you in all my best wise,  
Right thus as far forth as I may suffice,  
And as my power platly may attain,  
Mine hearts queen and lady sovereign.  
Whom ye may holy I you well ensure,  
All the while that this my life may dure.  
Trusteth right well me list not for to feign.  
To live or die shall at your lust restrain,  
As him that is your own assured man,  
You to obey in all that ever I can,  
Without change or any doubleness,  
While that I live in very soothfastness.  
For that you list of true affection,  
Upon my life to have compassion,  
Of gentillesse and that ye list to have,  
Such chierte my body for to save.  
That in good faith of very due right,  
I am ybound to be your own knight:  
Unto mine end and that more specially,  
That of your grace ye so beningnely,  
Listeth yourself of my counsel be.  
That never erst to you in no degree.  
Ne did service to your woman head.  
And with your words full of goodliheade,  
Your own man listeth recomfort.  
The which in sooth so as I can report,  
A thousand fold be the more pleasant,  
That never erst no merit got him grant,  
Ne no desert request nor prayer,  
But rather freely of your heart entere,  
List unrequired on my woe to rue.  
And undisserued be to me so true.  
That I ensure upon my faith as fast,  
In your service I shall unto my last,  
persever soothly that there shallbe no sloth,  
Nor variance and thereto here my truth.  
For finally I say withouten ween,  
At few words in all right as I mean.  
Me list not feign flatter nor delude,  
For my behest with death I shall conclude,  
When Parca's shall my lives thread do rend,  
This all and some and thus I make an end.   

Well than quoth she full wisely in your heart,  
Ye must afore consydre and advert,  
The adventure that ye shall take on hand,  
And prudently the peril understand,  
And warily cast and have full well in mind,  
The mortal harm at the tail behind.  
That is well more than it is credible.  
For leave me well it is an impossible,  
To gin in honour and also for to fine.  
For thilk flese by high power divine,  
Preserved is and that with Marcys might,  
That who so therefore entereth in to fight,  
It were full hard to him thence to escape.  
The fiery flawme when the bulls gape,  
That been of brass trapped all in leaven  
Ben more to dread than lightening of the heaven.  
Tofore the dint of the great thunder.  
That severed hath full many tour a sunder.  
For unto ashes they will a man consume.  
Wherefore I read that ye not presume,  
The Ram to assail lest ye your labour lose.  
yet to withdraw your foot sith ye may cheese,  
By good advise and by discresiowne,  
Your honour safe and your high renown.  
Where so ye list of your worthiness,  
Only of folly and of hastiness,  
To this emprise of head to proceed,  
Or where ye list like as I you read,  
Save yourself from woe and all mischance,  
Like as ye shall if to mine ordinance,  
Ye you commit and lowly list obey,  
Without fraud there is no more to say.   

ANd jason there than sitting at the board,  
Of Medea emprinting every word,  
Waxed for Ire almost unpatient,  
And said alas and is this your intent,  
Me to counceyle to leave this my emprise,  
Certes it were to foul a cowardice,  
To begin thing that I might not a chyeve.  
For every man would me of shame reprove,  
And eke report to my confusion,  
That I of pride and of presumption,  
Took this on me when I was at large,  
So high a thing and so great a charge,  
That I durst not distrusting of mischief,  
accomplish it when it came to the proof.  
liefer me were mine own lady dear,  
For to jeopardy and to put in were,  
Myself at ones and at words few,  
On small pieces to be all to hew.  
Rather than I should cowardly forsake,  
Thilk emprise that I have undertake.  
As ye well know and leave it thus alas.  
Let be your counsel plainly in this case.  
For what so ever hap or fall of me,  
Trusteth right well it shall none other be.  
For if that I should of my coward heart,  
From this my purpose by any way divert,  
Without laud my life I should lead,  
And shame eternal justly by my meed.  
Throughout the world noted over all.  
In every land spoke of in special.  
That jason hath so highly undertake,  
Whereof for fear he dare none end make.  
thinketh right well that it shall not betide,  
For life or death what mischief I abide.  
And thereupon my troth I you ensure,  
That so farforth as this my life may endure,  
I shall perform that I have now begun.  
And though so be no honour may be won,  
But that I must with my death it beye,  
I will not leave for bet were me to die,  
Than live ashamed of cowardice & sloth.  
For as me seemeth it is to high a ruth.  
A man t'appear or dare do show his head,  
When he hath once his honour vyllanede.  
And after time when that his name is slain.  
For every man should covet rather feign,  
To die in honour than live as a wretch.  
And though this thing to my death stretch,  
Welcome beit I shall it well abide,  
This all and some what so of me betide.   

IAson quod she than sith it standeth so,  
That ye algates desire to have a do,  
There is no more by aught I can espy,  
But ye had liefer shortly for to die,  
Rather than live and have ye say a shame,  
And yet it is an earnest and no game,  
With such monsters unwarely for to deal.  
Like as in deed hereafter ye shall feel.  
And therefore I am moved of pity,  
And greatly steered that ye of volunte,  
Without advise or by discretion,  
Counsel or else deliberation,  
List take on you this marvelous voyage.  
For both your youth and also your courage,  
Governed been chiefly in this matter,  
All after lust for both the two I fear,  
Inparded been if ye your purpose sew.  
For impossible is that ye eschew,  
A sudden death for neither free nor bond,  
By craft of man hath power to withstand.  
¶ Wherefore I think of heart & good intent,  
To cast for you yea yet or ye be shent,  
And to your turn to shape a remedy.  
Such ruth I have that ye shoulden die,  
For to my father whom I love most,  
Rather than ye should in this wise be lost,  
I shall offend and utterly displease,  
And all my friends so it may do you ease.  
For I shall find such a mean weigh,  
That at the least I will not see you die.  
For in this case I think to be your guide,  
So that for you I shall do set aside,  
First my descent as of the stock royal.  
¶ And over more mine heritage withal.  
Likewise my honour shall I put aback,  
You for to help that there shallbe no lack,  
yfound in me so ye be to me kind,  
And that ye list for to have in mind,  
As I deserve goodly me to quite.  
considering first that it is not alight,  
To save your live that stant in jeopardy,  
More perilous than ye can aught espy.  
But for all this I shall it so ordain,  
All by my craft only atwyxe us twain,  
That or we part I hope all shall be well,  
Upon this point if so that I may feel,  
Faithfully for joy woe or smart,  
With full accord of body will and heart,  
To my desire that ye condescend.  
I undertake to make thereof an end.  
¶ This soothly lady said this jason tho,  
I am assented without words more,  
For to fulfil with every circumstance,  
What ever thing may be to you pleasance.   

THan quoth she there is no more to sane,  
But first of all with faith & heart plain,  
With all your might and your busy cure,  
And meaning hole that ye do me assure,  
Hereafter for to take me for your wife,  
To hold and keep by term of your life.  
So that your deed accord may with your hest.  
This is the fine and sum of my request.  
Except only that ye shall ordain,  
In your repair to your father's reign,  
That faithfully ye shall me with you lead,  
And after that when so ye shall succeed,  
As by his death into your heritage,  
With heart aye one and with like courage,  
Ye shall to me always be founden true,  
And cherish me for change of any new.  
Like mine estate without variance.  
And while ye live have in remembrance,  
My gentleness in this your great need.  
For there is none alive that may aught speed  
What so he be that liveth here mortal,  
For to assail the forces martial,  
Of both the dragon and the bulls yfeare.  
But it so be of me that first he lere,  
holy the manner how he shall him gye,  
Like as to you I think to specify.  
When so it happeth that we meet again,  
For none but I may help herein certain,  
As in this case which platly ye shall find,  
And I nought ask but ye again be kind.   

soothly quoth jason all this shallbe do,  
As ye devise I will that it be so.  
And here my faith thereon I you assure,  
Oh goodliest of any creature.  
That ever yet I saw unto my pay.  
And fairest eke in soothe it is no nay.  
And of bounty ye been incomparable,  
For of my death ye been so marciable,  
That while I live I say you by my faith,  
Mine heart meaneth as my tongue saith.  
I will be found your aldertrewest man,  
For life or death in all that ever I can.  
So that of grace it be to you pleasant,  
For to perform your hests & your grant.  
And fully work to my salvation,  
As ye have said in full conclusion.  
For truly ye of all that bearen life,  
In beauty have such prerogative,  
Passing eachone me list not for to gloze.  
amongs flowers as doth the read rose.  
Which in summer amid the leaves soot,  
After that Vere hath made out of the root,  
The humidyte kindly to ascend,  
The barren soil to cloth and to amend,  
And them whom winters blasts have shaken bare,  
With sweet blossoms freshly to repair  
And the meadows of many sundry hew,  
Tapited been with divers flowers new,  
Of sundry motlees lustily for to seen,  
And wholesome bawne is shed among the green.  
¶ Right as the rose is fairest of eachone,  
Right so hath nature set you all alone.  
When she you made first at her devise.  
Above all other for to have a prise.  
As ye that been of bounty spring & well,  
Thereto in beauty soothly ye excel,  
All that bear life for no comparison,  
Ne may be made so of discretion,  
Ye passen all as every man may see.  
And with all this I find you unto me,  
The goodliest that ever yet was borne.  
Without whom I were as now but lost.  
Of help and succour fully destitute,  
Ne were that I had found in you refute.  
From whom all freedom to meward doth habound,  
So passingly that I am ever bound,  
As far forth as my silly life may stretch,  
That for your sake of death I ne reach,  
If unto you it might a pleasure been,  
That to my help so goodly list to seen.  
For if that I of negligence should,  
In Any thing refusen that ye would,  
I might of reason full well merked be,  
And noted eke of wilful nycetye.  
So foolily to void away my grace,  
It were a rage aman from him to chase,  
Wilful fortune when she is benign.  
Wherefore as now holy I resign,  
heart body my life and eke my death,  
Into your hand while the me lasteth breath,  
With all the oaths that I affirm may,  
For to persever to mine ending day,  
Your true spouse as I have said & sworn.  
And you behested plainly here toforne.  
And there upon in every thing obey,  
That may you please till such time as I die.  
This all & some what should I longer tarry,  
From this behest I shall me never vary.  
¶ Thus when Medea saw his steadfastness,  
She was surprised with so high gladness,  
With so great joy plainly in her heart,  
That she was void of every woe and smart,  
For he so lowly to her lust obeyed.  
That or she went thus to him she saide.  
¶ jason quod she than shall I well ordain,  
A mean way whereby we both twain,  
May eft again at leisure meet soon.  
For to perform all that is to done.  
In this matterlike to our intent.  
Where shall be made a final sacrament,  
Of our desire that no man shall unbind.  
Though now thereto we may no leisure find.  
And that toward eve it shall not me escape.  
Trust me right well a time for to shape,  
Right secretly that we may meet yfeare.  
For I shall send a privy chamber,  
To you of mine which shall you do convye,  
Unto my chambered by a prive weigh.  
A certain hour withouten any fable,  
To our intent that shallbe most agreeable.  
Upon the point when Phoebus' with his light,  
Ywestred is and eke the dark night,  
Hath with his dimmesse of his shadows black,  
Our Hemisperye fully overtake,  
That oft giveth by favour of fortune,  
Unto these lovers a leisure opportune.  
For to perform their lusts and achieve.  
And right anon as it shall draw to eve,  
I shall for you unto my closet send,  
Of every thing there for to make an end.  
Where we together shall at leysur speak,  
Euerich with other and our hearts break.  
And eft declare the sum of all our will,  
And when we have spoken all our fill,  
By good leysur I fully you byhete,  
We shall ordain when so us lust to meet,  
To set a time who ever that say nay,  
Always by night when passed is the day.  
For mighty jove as wisely me succour,  
As hence forth I will be holy your,  
While that I live both waking & a sleep,  
If it so be that ye your hests keep.   

TO whom jason lowly 'gan incline,  
And said as far as man may imagine,  
Or any wight may clearly comprehend.  
I will to you unto my lives end,  
As servant true faithfully me quite.  
And though that I can not say but light,  
My faith to you shallbe nerthelesse.  
And though I can not paint nor compass,  
No gay process my sovereign hearts queen,  
Till I be dead I shall but truly mean.  
Have here my troth while I have life and mind,  
As in the end ye shall hereafter find.  
And of their speech an end thus they make,  
And Medea shope her for to take,  
Her leave anon amongs all the press,  
First of her father sith of Hercules.  
No longer bode but forthwith that anon,  
In haste she is unto her chamber gone.  
Where up and down she made many went,  
None of her mien witting what she meant.  
Casting ways her purpose to achieve,  
And in her wits 'gan busyly to move,  
As she thus roameth in her habitacle,  
On any side if let were or obstacle,  
Or other thing which would her sore grieve,  
This was her study till it drew to eve.  
Where I her leave complaining in her woe,  
With many a thought walking to and fro.  
¶ The midday hour is gone and overslide,  
Titan so fast doth in his chair ride.  
The days ark from east to west compassed,  
His fiery steeds have almost over passed,  
Our horizon and drawn down full low,  
His golden wain that no man might know,  
Where as he hid his fiery beams bright,  
In his discence full far out of our sight.  
And Hirenes with her copes murk,  
The evening begun for to dirke.  
In the Twilight when the day 'gan said  
And Hesperus with her beams glade,  
That been so fresh so lusty and so merry,  
'Gan recomfort all our Hemisperye.  
¶ When thus Medea by herself alone,  
Of high desire 'gan to make her moan,  
That she so long abode after her knight.  
Alway accounting the hours of the night,  
So full of trouble and of busy thought,  
Which hath full straightly searched out & sought,  
A ready way well setting her purpose,  
Albe that she kept it in full close,  
Amid her heart quapping as a wawe,  
For dread and fear till hope 'gan adawe,  
And bade she should be right merry and glad.  
Till dread again it made sober & sad.  
Lest her desire troubled were or let,  
And thus she was at abay yset.  
Amid hope and fearful dread also.  
That she ne wist what was best to do.  
¶ For her desire and high affection,  
So hoot they brent in her opinion,  
Of lust she had to meet with this jason,  
And there against dread come in anon,  
And made her fearful lest she were espied.  
But all her ill was holp and remedied,  
Only by fortune and the dark night.  
By which she was made full glad and light,  
For recomforted only those two.  
And with good hope that made her glad also.  
She 'gan anon to casten and devise,  
When that the moon on heaven would arise.  
And when that she with her horns pale,  
Would shed her light upon the hill & vale,  
She 'gan account and cast well the time,  
And found a quarter passed after prime.  
As she that was well knowing in that art,  
And saw in sooth that the fourth part.  
Of the moan was shed with new light,  
And passed was in her course aright,  
After the time of conjunction,  
Three signs full by computation.  
And days seven complete were of her age.  
¶ At which time she brenning in her rage,  
As one through darted with cupids arrow,  
'Gan for to look and behold narrow,  
At every door and listen busily,  
If any wight that she might espy,  
Of all the court other walk or go.  
Or any man romyn to or fro.  
So sore she dread going up and down,  
When so she heard noise or any sown.  
Or when she heareth whispering any where,  
It was venom soothly in her ere.  
She wished all had slept fast a bed.  
This pytyous life the long night she led.  
without respite though no wight could know,  
Till high midnight that the cocks crow,  
At which time when all was bushte & still,  
For taccomplyshe the remnant of her will,  
And every where made was silence,  
She cleped anon unto her presence,  
And aged vecke far in years yronne,  
That in such craft so mikle help kon.  
Thriftly to bring this thing about,  
For they afore can casten every doubt.  
¶ Of years passed old experience,  
Hath give to them so passing high prudence,  
That they in love all the sleights know,  
And she was made as dog for the bow,  
To whom Medea discureth all her thought,  
From point to point & hath forgot right nought,  
And charged her in release of her smart,  
And recomfort of this her troubled heart.  
To haste her anon upon her way,  
Unto her chamber jason to convey,  
And she anon not reckless in that case,  
Is gone for him forth an easy pace,  
As she that was of new not to lere,  
And hath him brought as ye shall after hear.   

When that the cock common Astrologere,  
The midnight hour with his voice clear,  
Began to sown and did his busy pain,  
To beat his breast with his wings twain.  
And of the time a minute will not pace,  
To warn them that weren in the place,  
Of the tides and season of the night.  
Medea to await upon her knight,  
Full ready was the entry for to keep.  
As she that list full little for to sleep.  
For that ne was no parcel of her thought.  
And when jason was to his chamber brought,  
Without espying of any manner wight,  
Than she anon conveyeth him full right,  
Into her closet in all the haste she may.  
Full well beseen with great and rich array.  
Where by her side she made him take his see.  
And first of all this ilk lease of three,  
By her that most expert was in this case,  
All suddenly was turned to a brace.  
For the old vecke to stare upon the moan.  
Is walked out and hath them left alone.  
And when Medea the doors had fast shut,  
By jason down anon she hath her set.  
But first I find with all her busy might,  
About the chamber that she set up light,  
torchs of great and cyerges full royal,  
About on pillars and on every wall.  
Which gave a light like the son sheen.  
And to a chest wrought of crystal clean,  
first of all she taketh her passage.  
Out of the which she took a rich image,  
Of pure gold full lusty to behold,  
That by their custom of the rites old,  
To mighty jove eterne and increat,  
Yhalowed was and also consecrate.  
The which Image devoutly as she ought,  
With humble heart to jason first she brought.  
And made him lowly thereon take his oath,  
Unto his last other for lief or loath,  
That he her should take unto his wife.  
Fro that day forth during all his life.  
With heart unfeigned and faith inviolate,  
And cherish her like to her estate.  
Fro till that time I find how that she,  
Had ever flowered in vyrgynitye.  
And as mine Author well rehearse can,  
Ay kept her clean from touch of any man.  
In thought and deed and never did amiss.  
For she of heart all holy given is,  
Unto jason and that for ever more,  
And he anon hath put his hand unto.  
And swore fully as ye have heard me say,  
All her requests without more delay,  
To keep them aye while that his life may last.  
But oh alas how soon he overcast,  
His hest his faith which which he was assured,  
And had his fraud with flattery y●ured.  
So covertly that both her innocence,  
Her true meaning and her diligence,  
And all that ever she devise can:  
deceived was by falsehood of this man.  
And though the troth apparent was above,  
Yet doubleness so slyghly was in shove,  
As though he had soothly be allied,  
With true meaning so that nothing espied,  
Under fair cheer was feigning and fallaces,  
for what might she have wrought more in this case.  
Than for thy sake sceptre & regally,  
And all the lords eke of her alley,  
Forsook at ones and took of them no heed,  
And of pity and of very goodly heed,  
Lost her friends and her good fame,  
Only jason to save the this fro shame.  
And yet moreover forsook her heritage,  
She that was borne of so high parage,  
And should have be by succession,  
Heir by dissent of that Region.  
But womanly for she would her quite,  
Of all yfeare she hath not set a mite.  
But in one hour all she hath forsake,  
And unto the she hath her holy take,  
Only for trust thou shouldest have be kind.  
Riches and honour she hath ylefte behind.  
And in exile hath chose with the to gone,  
From all her kin this silly maid alone.  
¶ Alas I weep for thine unkindness,  
What hath she not fro death and fro distress,  
Preserved thee? and yet thou takest none heed  
That should have died ne had she be thy read.  
Of thy conquest she was the very cause,  
That I may not shortly in a clause,  
Writ her bounty nor briefly comprehend,  
Effectually performed to the end.  
At words few ne may it not be told.  
Through whom thou hast the rich flese of gold,  
Manly conquered which withouten doubt,  
Unlikely was that to have brought about.  
For when thou were of help though destitute,  
She was thine only comfort and refute.  
And with all this thou mayest it not deny,  
All earthly honour how she 'gan defy,  
The to conserve out of all heaviness.  
And eke her father hath of his richesses,  
So enpeyred that pity is to here.  
By whose example women may well lere.  
How they should faith or trusten on any man.  
Alas Medea that so mykle can,  
Both of stars and of astronemye,  
Yet saw she not afore her destiny.  
Love hath her put so out of governail.  
That all her craft ne might her not avail.  
She was to slow by calculation,  
To cast afore the constellation,  
Of her birth and eke her woeful fate.  
For rekleshed she saw it all to late.  
But I suppose her cunning was fallible,  
And doubtless as me seemeth incredible.  
For if she had wist of it toforne,  
So piteously she had not now be lost.  
As ye shall see hereafter hastily.  
So as the story teacheth by and by.  
How it befell of jason and Medee,  
But first ye shall the manner holly see,  
How she 'gan wirche for after he was swore,  
The same night alas she hath forbore,  
Her maidenhead and that was great pity.  
And yet she mente nought else but honesty,  
As I suppose she went have be his wife,  
But touching that I hold as now no strife,  
And yet one thing I dare afyrme and say,  
That both so the meaning of these twain,  
Ne was not one but wonder fer atwene.  
For all that she truly 'gan to mean,  
Of honest thinking no outrage,  
Like as a maid all innocent of age,  
He to perform his fleshly false delight,  
And to achieve his filthy appetite,  
Wrought every thing to her intent contrair.  
Alas that she was tho so debonair,  
As for to trust upon his courtesy.  
Or to acquit her of her gentery,  
So hastily to rue upon his smart.  
But women been so pitiful of heart,  
That they will gladly shown petty all.  
When in mishap they see a man is fall.  
And save his life rather than he should die.  
And so Medea shortly for to say,  
Casting no peril after that shall fall,  
But his desires and his lusts all,  
Holy obeyeth with all her full might.  
And that so long almost that the night,  
Hath his course round about gone.  
At which time thus spoke to her jason,  
And lowly said my lady it is time,  
That we arise for soon it will be prime.  
Ye may see well the day beginneth to springe.  
For we may here how the birds sing,  
praying to you in all my best wise,  
How I shall work that ye list devise.  
And seriously in every thing dispose,  
I you beseech o goodly fresh rose.  
Mine enterprise to bring unto an end.  
And than at erst fro hence will I wind.  
Save that I think first with you to treat,  
In what manner ye shall this country let.  
And into Grece repair again with me.  
Which is a land of great felicity.  
For trusteth well and be nothing adrede,  
Into that reign with me I shall you lead.  
After my conquest if so be that I win.  
Wherefore I pray you goodly to begin.  
How I shall work in all the hast we may,  
For in good faith anon it will be day.  
¶ To whom she spoke saying as ye shall here,  
Mine own jason and unto me more dear,  
Than is myself as in conclusion.  
I am assented with full affection,  
Of all my wits and with my hole heart,  
You to inform how ye shall asterte.  
Every danger of that little isle,  
If it so be ye list bide a while.  
And up she rose in all the haste she may,  
And to a coffer where her treasure lay,  
She went anon and brought him in her hand,  
A rich image of silver that she fond.  
Which soothly was of marvelous entail.  
Whose power was and virtue to avail,  
Effectually to her both intent,  
Again all magik and enchantment.  
And to with sit the force of sorcery.  
For it was made so by astronomy.  
In hour chosen equat for the nonce,  
By clerks old that full long agone is.  
Whilom when they were flowering in their ages,  
That they used to make such images,  
As did the king called Thelomee,  
And so to jason willed hath Medee,  
To bear this image on him privily.  
As ye have herd to work effectually,  
In every thing as she did assign,  
And then she took to him a medicine,  
Made as in manner of an ointment,  
Him to enoint that he be not brent.  
That was more rich & precious than balm  
Again the malice of each fire and flawme.  
And after that she took to him anon,  
A rich ring wherein was set a stone,  
That virtue had all venom to destroy.  
That on no side it might him not annoy.  
The which stone had furthermore this might  
That if a man could it bear aright.  
Within his hand next the skin enclosed,  
The strength of sight should be deposed,  
Of them that would gasen or behold.  
For who so ever in his hand it hold,  
By such virtue as was infallible,  
The story sayeth he was invisible.  
The which stone these prudent clerks call.  
Achates most virtuous of all.  
And it is found soothly in Cecile.  
Of which stone whilom wrote Virgyll,  
Now that Venus it to Aeneas' scent,  
First when that he into Cartage went.  
¶ And after this she to jason took,  
A certain bill written like a book.  
That to his journey might much avail.  
And bade him wisely that he not ne fail,  
If he bethought him graciously to speed,  
First of all the scripture that he read,  
Or he the Ram touch in any wise.  
Him charging eke afore this high emprise,  
With humble heart and great devotion,  
That he kneeling say that orison,  
That up and down was written on the bill.  
Praying the gods lowly to fulfil,  
His request and mercy for to have,  
Of very pity from mischief him to save.  
And after that for his chief succour,  
She took to him a viol with liquor,  
And bade him manly without fear or dread,  
When that he come unto the bulls read,  
If he him cast knightly to escape,  
That as fast as he seeth them gape.  
Into their golls that he the liquor cast.  
Than him need but little of them gast,  
For their jaws together it shall glyewe,  
That on no side they shall not eschew,  
To bide his lust in what him list constrain.  
For doubtless maugre all their busy pain,  
He shall them daunt & therewith make so tame.  
That where him list in earnest or in game,  
He might them make louten and incline.  
And do them bowen both in back & chine,  
The liquor shall their jaws so coharte,  
That lightly they shall not a sunder part.  
For to offend or noyen any wight.  
And when she had thus said unto her knight,  
In every thing and give instruction.  
Plain doctrine and information,  
How he shall scape the dangers by and by,  
If he take heed and work advisedly.  
¶ And thus agreed they thought it for the best,  
For to part or men out of their rest,  
Awaked were for it drew towards day.  
As they well saw by the morrow grey,  
And lest men had to them suspicion,  
Of high prudence and discretion,  
atween the twelight and the rody morrow.  
They took their leave with saint john the borrow.  
With oft kissing as lovers when they twin.  
And so he went and she is left within.  
Being in hope to meet again some day,  
And jason than as fast as ever he may,  
'Gan ordain him his journey to achieve,  
And thought he would anon go take his leave,  
And in that wise within a little while,  
After the manner of my rude style,  
My purpose is soothly and not to spare,  
With your support plainly to declare.   

When that the rows & the rays read,  
eastward to us full early gonnen spread,  
Even at the twelyght in the dawning,  
When that the lark of custom gineth sing,  
For to salve in her heavenly lay,  
The lusty goddess of the morrow grey.  
I mean Aurora which afore the son,  
Is wont tench●se the black skies done,  
And the darkness of the dymmy night.  
And fresh Phoebus with comfort of his light,  
And with the brightness of his beams sheen,  
Had overgylt the high hills green.  
And flowers eke again the morrow tide,  
Upon their stalks 'gan plain their leaves wide.  
When that jason with all his company,  
Toward the king full fast 'gan him high.  
Whom than he fond like to his estate,  
With sceptre in handeful pompous and elate.  
high in the see of his regally,  
Sitting full kingly amid his chivalry,  
And his lords about him environ.  
¶ At why ●he time this young champion,  
Under a vow standing of the Ram.  
With stern face tofore the king in came.  
Beseeching him of his magnificence,  
The same day to grant him licence,  
To do his arms and make no more delays.  
Concluding plainly that at all assays,  
He will that day in the field be found.  
For to achieve like as he was bound,  
Of old behest and not a point decline.  
For life nor death till he perform and fine.  
Holy the auntres that to the flese belong,  
The king requiring no longer him prolong,  
But goodly grant the fine of his emprise.  
And than the king in full sober wise,  
considering the sum of his demand,  
To jason spoke & said he shall command,  
That his request performed were in haste.  
Albe quoth he I am full sore aghast,  
Of wilfulness thou should destroyed be,  
Lest men thy death arected unto me.  
And thereupon would a blame set,  
Of royal power that I not ne let,  
Thy manly youth from such jeopardy  
Which were in sooth a great villainy,  
And prejudice to my estate and name.  
That afterward men should put me in blame,  
Through false report & wrong opinion.  
That I withstood not thy destruction.  
¶ Wherefore I read that thou be yet bet advised,  
And my counsel let not be despised.  
For better it is with honour in certain,  
Into thy country to repair again,  
Than wilfully for to take on hand,  
A mortal thing that no man may withstand.  
That is my read and fully mine advise.  
Take heed thereto sith ye aren wise.  
Lest thou repent when it is to late,  
And if so be that thou wilt algate.  
Thy purpose hold and not do as I read,  
almighty Mars I pray to be thy speed.  
The for to guide whatsoever shall befall,  
And eke I pray to the gods all,  
Safe and sound thy body to restore,  
This all & some on me thou gettest no more.  
¶ And when jason thus had herd the king,  
Not dismayed nor stoned in no thing,  
In knightly wise did him reverence.  
Thanking highly his royal excellence,  
That of his grace and beningnytye,  
Upon his death him list to have pity.  
Fully concluding touching his battle  
That neither read nor other counsel,  
In no wise his purpose should withdraw.  
But like the statute plainly and the law,  
Right so far forth as fortune will him eure,  
What so beside of this his adventure,  
Setting aside every fear and dread,  
He platly said that he will proceed,  
For to perform that he hath undertake.  
It were in idle more skills for to make.  
Or to allege more there again.  
And jason than full openly and plain,  
Touching the surplus of this dreadful thing,  
At his departing thus said to the king.  
In audience though of his lords all.  
What so of me hereafter now be fall,  
Or who so ever of malices thereon muse,  
To all the world first I you excuse.  
And to the gods platly you acquit.  
That though I die ye be nothing to wite.  
Ne no man shall arecte it you of skill,  
For that I work is freely at my will.  
Again the advice of your high prudence,  
And life or death here in your presence,  
holy of heart and never for to flit,  
Unto the gods and fortune I commit.  
So as them list for me to ordain.  
Again whose will I shall never plain.  
Nor them nor you ne shall put in no blame,  
What so betid honour, joy, or shame.  
And of this thing thus an end I make,  
And for this time of you my leave I take.  
And of all though that you about stand.  
And one by one he took them by the hand.  
And in what wise forth he 'gan him dress,  
To you anon I think it to express.   

When that Titan had which his fervent heat  
Drawn up the dew fro the leaves wet,  
Toward mid morrow as I can define,  
Upon the hour when the clock is nine.  
jason full manly and full like a knight,  
Armed in steel of cheerful glad and light,  
'Gan dress him forth what hap that ever fall.  
And said a dieu unto his feres all.  
He in the boot and they upon the strand,  
And all alone when he came to land,  
And in the water had his vessel lafte,  
He first of all remembering on the craft,  
Of Medea with all the circumstances,  
And how he should keep his observances,  
In every thing and had it well in mind.  
And than anon full manly as I find,  
He shope him forth and went a knightly pace  
Toward the bulls that forged were of brace.  
But at the point when he his journey 'gan,  
For him Medea waxed full pale and wan.  
So sore aghast that nothing might her glade.  
A ruth it was to see what woe she made.  
For so her tears on her cheeks twain,  
Full piteously 'gan to destylle and rain,  
That all fordewed were her weeds black.  
And aye this sorrow she made for his sake.  
Like a woman fearful and in doubt,  
While he his arms full manly brought about.  
To sob and sigh she can not be in a peace,  
Lest he for haste were aught rekles.  
Fro point to point to do as she him bad,  
This was the life that she hath for him lad.  
¶ And for to see how he should him defend,  
She 'gan anon by greces to ascend,  
Of a Touret in to an high pinnacle.  
Where as she might have though none obstacle,  
Nor letting neither for to have a sight.  
Of him that was her own chosen knight.  
And ever among with words out she broke  
And stoundemell thus to herself she spoke.  
¶ O thou jason my sovereign hearts heal,  
If thou ought knew what woe for the I feel,  
soothly I trow it should thee not asterte,  
For to be true with all thy hole heart.  
And god I pray this journey at the lest,  
May this time tournen for the best.  
And keep the saulfe & sound in every member,  
And gave the might fully to remember,  
As I the taught and in the same form,  
Every thing fully to perform.  
Only this day thine honour to anaunce.  
Which for to see were all my hole pleasance.  
For certes jason if the fill ought amiss,  
Far well my health and all my worldly bliss.  
And far well than my mirth and my solace,  
And my welfare, my fortune, and my grace,  
And all at once my hearts suffisance.  
¶ Lo this for him was her governance.  
First fro the time that he the land hath nome.  
And first of all when he was thither come,  
Where as the bulls fell and dispiteous,  
Out cast their fire and flawme furious,  
Fro out their mouths wonder large & huge,  
Again the which for his chief refuge,  
Him for to save that he were not brent,  
He was anointed with an ointment,  
On his body that kept him from damage.  
Of thilk fire that was so full of rage.  
And the smokes dark and full horrible.  
Which to escape was almost impossible,  
For any man of what estate he be,  
Without comfort and counsel of Medee.  
By whose doctrine jason can so work,  
That he is scaped from the mists dark.  
Of the sire with the blazes black.  
That all the air so cloudy hath do make.  
She had him made so discrete and sage.  
By virtue only of thilk same image.  
Which that he about his neck bare,  
Whereby he was so prudent and so ware,  
That when the bulls have most fiercely gaped  
He hath their malice so avysedly scaped.  
For the enfection of their troubled air  
He hath vanquished and was in no despair.  
For in effect again the foul fume,  
That would a man unto the death consume,  
The image was a full preservative.  
Him to diffend and to save his life.  
And more surely to keep him out of dread,  
Full oft sith the writ he did read.  
For the virtue of thilk same orison,  
Was unto him a full protection.  
That he not fell thereby in no distress.  
And after that for rather sickerness,  
Him to preserve in this his mortal case.  
He took the liquor that in the vial was,  
And therewithal full like a manly man,  
That all at ones he took the bulls then.  
And nought forgot so warily it to cast,  
That therewith their jaws were closed fast.  
And by the virtue so mightily englued,  
That he there through hath utterly eschewed,  
The hole enfection of the smoky leaven.  
And when the air 'gan clear and all the heaven,  
And that the mists were wasted him toforne,  
With manly heart he reached hath by the horn,  
The stern bulls and by his violence,  
He drew them forth in whom was no defence.  
And yo●keth them so as the manner was,  
And with the plough he made them go apace.  
Now up now down and so to ear the land,  
And at his list so buxom he them fond,  
That the soil smooth bare and plain,  
They ready made to bearen any grain.  
And on renges it turned up so down.  
For though in them was no rebellyowne.  
But humble meek and ready at his will,  
All his desires plainly to fulfil.  
¶ And jason than like a champion,  
'Gan him enhaste towards the dragon,  
That was a beast right great & monstrous,  
Fowl and horrible and deadly venomous,  
And was armed in scales large and thick,  
Of whom the breath more perilous & wick,  
Was then the air of any pestilence.  
His venom was of such a violence,  
That it full deadly was and eke mortal,  
And at his throat there issued out with all,  
A flawme of fire as of a fournes mouth,  
Or like the leaven that down by the south,  
Out of the East is wont in tempest smite.  
Right so this dragon soothly for to wit,  
Out at his mouth had a flawme blazed.  
Whereof jason a little first amazed,  
Was in his heart of that dreadful thing.  
But when that he remembered on his ring,  
All fear and dread was laid aside and gone,  
For in that ring there was set a stone,  
Full rich noble and right virtuous.  
Of which as teacheth great Ysydorus.  
And in mine Author also as I find,  
Most commonly cometh out of ynde.  
And must be kept chaste and wonder clean,  
And of colour surmounteth every green.  
Whose virtue is all venom to destroy.  
And to withstand that it may not annoy.  
Of dragon serpent of adder and of snake.  
And specially if so that it betake,  
And be yholden in the opposite,  
Of any worm even again the site,  
Without abode in sooth he may not cheese,  
Of his venom the force must he lose.  
How strong it be or violent of rage,  
But to the stone it doth full great damage.  
For when he hath his virtue do as blyve,  
On pieces small it gineth all to rive.  
And in itself abideth whole no while,  
For in the land that called is Cecyle.  
There is a worm that Bufo beareth the name.  
And when men of malice make him tame,  
And his venom utterly express,  
They take a quill mine Author beareth witness,  
When they will work or a large can,  
And in the end this stone they set than,  
And line right again the worms head,  
They holden it till that he be dead.  
For that is soothly his virtue of nature.  
That no venom last may nor endure,  
In the presence of this rich stone.  
And as I find this Bufo right anon,  
Through might thereof bursteth even a twain,  
Only by kind that no man may restrain.  
For the goddess that called is Nature,  
Which next her lord all thing in cure,  
Hath virtue give to herb grass and stone,  
Which no man knoweth but herself alone.  
The causes hid be closed in her hand.  
That wit of man can not understand,  
Openly the might of her working.  
And so jason by virtue of this ring,  
And through his stone that might him most advance  
Hath the dragon brought to utterance,  
In whom he fond no manner resistance.  
Him to withstand force nor diffence.  
Neither by venom nor none other strife,  
Wherefore he hath bereft him of his life.  
In manly wise and in the field outrayed,  
And jason then full glad and well apaid,  
Hath with his sword spent on him many a stroke.  
And laid on him as men new on an oak.  
His bright scales were so hard and dure.  
That well uneath he ne might endure.  
Him to dismember and smite of his head.  
And then anon in the stead of seed,  
He 'gan his tethe out of his head arace,  
And right forth with in the self place,  
He 'gan them sow right as men do corn.  
Upon the land that eared was aforne.  
Of which feed there sprang a wonder grain,  
Bright armed knights standing on the plain.  
The which anon with sharp swords ground,  
Eueriche 'gan other for to hurt and wound.  
Till each his fellow hath cruelly yslawe.  
This of their fate was the final law.  
That none of them should by victory,  
The death rejoice of other by memory.  
For all yfeare thus have they made an end.  
And after this jason 'gan to wend,  
Unto the Ram with all his diligence.  
In which he fond no power nor defence.  
No manner strife nor rebellyowne,  
And mightily the Ram he draweth down.  
And set an hand upon everich horn,  
And slew it first and than he hath it shorn.  
Out of his flese of gold so passing rich.  
That in this world there was no treasure lich  
And after that he maketh no delay,  
To take his boot in all the hast he may.  
And roweth forth into that other isle,  
Where Hercules all the mean while,  
Upon the bryncke with many other more,  
Abode jason till he had ydo.  
And everichone I find that as blyve,  
Only for joy when he did aryve,  
They 'gan to thank to their gods all.  
So graciously that it hath yfall.  
And that the flese he hath so knyghtlye won,  
That shone as clear as the summer son.  
Which that he brought with him unto land,  
His fears all abiding on the strand.   

ANd when Apollo of his days ark,  
Had in the west almost yronne his mark,  
And fast 'gan downward drawn & decline,  
And on the wawes full watery 'gan to shine,  
Yet or that he was passed the Occian,  
jason is come with many a manly man,  
Of his coferes in presence of the king.  
As he that had achieved every thing,  
Which that longeth to conquest of the Ram.  
And than Oetes as soon as ever he came,  
To make him cheer outward hath him pained.  
Albe in heart soothly it was but feigned.  
For he full sorry was withouten dread.  
Of the exploit and of the happy speed,  
Of this jason that he the flese hath won.  
But like in sooth as the feyners koune,  
When that them list craftily compass,  
To show outward a faithful meaning face,  
Albe the venom closed hole within,  
As in meaning there was no manner sin.  
Right so the king with look & forehead clear,  
Made unto jason outward right good cheer  
And 'gan to him to speak in words few,  
Of friendly head and many signs show,  
As though his conquest hole and every deal,  
From point to point did like him wonder well.  
And be full glad that he was so fortuned.  
Unto the end that he hath so contuned.  
And joyeth both in speech and countenance,  
That fortune list so far forth him advance.  
And to his palace 'gan him fair convey,  
And day by day full richly him festeye.  
Albe that it was nothing done of heart.  
For this no les he felt full great smart,  
That of his treasure he was despoiled so,  
And that he hath the rich flese forego.  
To his damage and his confusion.  
And thus there was a great division,  
Atwirt his cheer & meaning of his thought.  
Oft as it fareth if it be duly sought.  
That many man in meaning false & double,  
Can with the calm cover so the trouble,  
Of high malice hid in his desire,  
And rake falsely the wicked covert fire,  
Full hot brenning inward of envy,  
So well were him that cowd them out espy.  
And knew their meaning false & fraudelent  
Where through alas full many an innocent,  
Deceived is that wot not what they mean,  
And namely such that not but truth ween.  
And every cheer that men to them make,  
Of innocence they for the best take.  
And in no wise think not but well,  
Right so certain this jason every dell,  
Hath take in 'gree what the king hath wrought.  
Not adverting the grudging of his thought.  
For doubtless though it sat the king full sore.  
That he the Ram hath lost for evermore.  
But when that he hath utterly ysayne,  
Though he still grudge that therein was no gain.  
But finally as of necessety,  
As at that time it might none other be.  
And plainly saw that he may not cheese,  
But that algate the flese he must lose,  
Whether it were that he were lief or loath,  
He feigneth cheer as though he were not wroth  
For only he as of his gentleness,  
No sign outward of grudging doth express.  
But day by day of very courtesy,  
He cheereth jason and his company.  
At which time about enuirowne,  
From every party of his region,  
The people came to staren and to gaze,  
Upon the Ram as it were on a maze.  
They look wonder and dame what then list.  
On whose domes is but little tryst.  
They oft vary and turn to and fro,  
That who that wisely taketh heed thereto,  
The common people changeth as a fane.  
To day they wax & to morrow do they wane  
As doth the moan they be so flaskesable.  
Who trusteth them shall find them full unstable.  
For some were glad that jason sped so well,  
And some sorry and like it never addle.  
Some other said they wonder how he might,  
Again the dragon or the bulls fight.  
Or how that he against the force of Mart,  
Out of the isle alive might astart.  
Some other said that peradventure,  
By craft was wrought all this dyscomfeture.  
Other by charm or some sorcery,  
Thus each of them after their fantasy,  
'Gan dame of him all the long day.  
But at the last bout making of delay.  
Full glad and light Medea down descendeth,  
From her chamber & outwardly pretendethe.  
Sadness of cheer as she nothing ne knew.  
For nought could men conceive as by her hue,  
Her secret meaning so hath she womanly,  
demeaned her and eke so prudently.  
That she avoided by discretion,  
All fantasy and all suspection.  
That no man could as of her working dame,  
Nothing but well for as it should seem,  
By port and cheer there was no cause why.  
And so by process drew her privily,  
Toward jason for she was not to lere,  
And secretly she bade him in his ere,  
In any wise that he not ne leave,  
To her chamber for to come at eve.  
For matter they hadden for to treat.  
Which he shall know at leisur when they meet.  
And so anon when entered was the night,  
Sole by himself without torch or light,  
To Medea he hath the way take.  
And she abode sleples for his sake.  
Wonder devoutly desiring as I guess,  
With him to treat of some holiness,  
Touching matters of contemplation.  
For she was smitte with such devotion,  
Of fresh Venus to hold a memory,  
With him alone in her oratory,  
Not openly as hypocrites pray.  
In divers angels joining on the way.  
Of the people for to be commended,  
But they have not the night so dispended.  
For vain glory nor none other laud,  
But by themself thinking on no fraud,  
Secretly this ilke twain alone.  
Without light of either son or moan.  
The long night have led without rest,  
For as them thought it was not for the best.  
To speak of sleep till that it was prime.  
For they them cast to lose as though no time.  
And thus the night together they dispend,  
That I am dull for to comprehend,  
The observances of such religious,  
Prolyx in working or compendyous,  
deemeth yourself ye get no more of me.  
For well ye wot in every faculty,  
Who so hath knowing and experience,  
Men will to him rather give credence.  
Wherefore I say ye that be wise and can,  
Are not me which am so rude a man,  
To dame a thing and namely when that it,  
Passeth my knowing also and my wit.  
Fordulled is mine imagynatyfe,  
To dame in practic or in speculatyfe,  
Wherefore I pass and let it over slide.  
And forth I think if ye list abide,  
Plainly to tell of jason and Medee.  
The which accorded and assented be,  
That she with him should into Grece wend,  
When that he goeth shortly this the end.  
Vnwyst her father and every other wight.  
Save he alone that hath his troth plight,  
For to be true both in well and woe,  
Unto his last to her and to no more.    

¶ How jason after this conquest with Medea and fellowship returned again into thessaly. Cap. seven.  

ANd when jason after his journee,  
Full richly like unto his degree,  
Refreshed was in Colchos of the king,  
Withal that might be to his liking,  
And a month passed was and gone,  
He with his Greeks assented into one,  
Purposed hath shortly if he might,  
With Medea to steel away by night.  
taking with him great treasure & the rich flese,  
With full assent also of Hercules.  
¶ But O Medea thou hastest all to fast,  
Thou were to slawe wisely for to cast,  
What should befall when thou thy journey took.  
For how that he in mischief the forsook,  
And how that he was false and eke unkind,  
For all his oaths to the whereof I find,  
And how that thou both at eve & morrow,  
Thy fatal chance and thy piteous sorrow,  
By weptest after and 'gan thyself to rend,  
Till death of all made a woeful end,  
It were but vain to maken rehearsal.  
I wot nothing how it might avail.  
Nor how jason unkind for the nonce,  
received hath penam tallionis,  
Of the gods for his disnaturelnesse.  
For he in mischief and in wretchedness,  
Made eke an end, though the cruel hate,  
Of fell Mars loo here the mortal fate,  
Of these twain that made their end so.  
But I suppose like as writeth Guydo,  
For their ginning was not virtuous,  
An end followeth full contagious.  
Alas if they had taken heed aforne,  
Than had they not in mischief be forlorn.  
But who will not afore this mischief see.  
May not eschew to have adversity.  
In the end platly to divine.  
For even like right as a medicine,  
Availeth not when the sick is dead,  
For what may help the stomach or the head,  
Lectuarye emplaystre or potion,  
Or any receipt or confection,  
Herb or stone or that the leeches know,  
When that the corpse is laid in earth allow.  
¶ Or when a beast is turned to careine,  
Mine author saith that it is but vain,  
For his recure to seken any hallow,  
Or to his ere for to lie a salowe.  
For verily after his fantasy,  
It helpeth not nor doth no remedy.  
For thing performed in his due date,  
More virtue hath than when it cometh to late.  
Right so in case verily semblable,  
Of worldly trust false and full mutable,  
Who cast no peril till that it be fall,  
In stead of sugar oft tasteth gall.  
Blended with lust which tho is present,  
And of the future sloth and negligent.  
That them ne list afore no mischief cast,  
Till in the snare they be englued fast.  
For to provide they be graceless,  
Full indiscrete and wilfully richeles.  
To cast the peril or that it betide.  
They sew their lust their reason goeth aside.  
As it befell whilom of this two,  
Of Medea and of jason also.  
¶ But how so ever of jason that it be,  
I find plainly the harm alone had she.  
The great damage and the final smart,  
For lack of wisdom she ne would advert,  
What should be fall when she her journey took.  
And then her father foolily forsook.  
But sith she wrought only of wilfulness,  
Without counsel or adviseness,  
Me list no more her harms to bewail.  
For light or nought it might now avail.  
Let her alone complaining her damage,  
For well I wot touching her passage,  
It was not take in good plight of the moan.  
Of hastiness she began to soon.  
choosing an hour which was not fortunate,  
For she alone of friends desolate,  
Colchos forsook and is to ship gone.  
And in all the haste be bidding of jason.  
Hercules and all his company,  
That with him common out of thessaly.  
Without tarrying forthwith at a word,  
Yentred been within ships board.  
Only for cause that the wind is good.  
And every thing though at their lust stood.  
And thus assented stolen away by night,  
With all the treasure that they catch might,  
And with them lad plenty of victual,  
And forth anon they began to sail.  
By many coast and many sundry isle,  
Towards Grece and all this mean while,  
Was Medea glad and of good cheer.  
She and jason sitting both yfeare,  
And Hercules of very gentleness,  
Her to comfort did his business,  
All faynyngly for the manner sake.  
As these lovers full quaint can it make.  
Till they have had holy their pleasance,  
Their lust fulfilled than uttreth variance.  
As it by jason was proved utterly.  
That hath forsaken full unkindly,  
This Medea in pain sorrow and wo.  
Of her Guydo ne write no words more.  
Nor maketh of her none other mention,  
Because I trow in mine opinion,  
That her sorrows end and every deal,  
Rehearsed be full openly and weal,  
Methamorphoseos & written there full plain.  
Where as Naso recordeth in certain,  
Her death not only nor her heaviness,  
But parcel eke of the unkindness,  
Of this jason and telleth plainly how,  
Medea hath both her sons slow.  
For they were like their father of visage.  
And telleth eke that put her most in rage,  
How falsely he I can him not excuse,  
Loved an other that called was Ceruse.  
Eke in his pistelles who so taketh heed,  
Her deadly sorrow there may behold & read.  
And how that she her troth aboughte sore,  
Of Medea ye get of me no more.  
In all this book nor of her adventure,  
But I will now do my busy cure,  
holy to turn my style to jason.  
And of the were he made on Lamedon,  
Like as in Guydo is openly described,  
After that he in Grece was arrived.   

FIrst when jason and Hercules also,  
Ylonded were with many an other more,  
Within the land & reign of thessaly,  
King peleus with all his chivalry,  
Cast him plainly that he will not fail,  
To meet his nephew at his arivayle.  
And when they met in countenance & cheer  
Made it outward as whole and as enter,  
As he had had sovereign gladness.  
Of his knighthood and his high prowess.  
Of his renown and his manlyhood,  
Of his expleyte and of his good speed.  
And that fortune to increase his name,  
Hath caused him with so noble fame,  
Out of Colchos with honour to repair.  
Albe his cheer was utterly contrair.  
To his intent that ever he came again.  
But for all that with face hole and plain,  
He welcomed him but all against his heart.  
Full sore atoned that he ever asterte,  
The adventures of Colchos perilous,  
And is returned so victorious.  
But covertly his treason for to hide,  
All delay he 'gan to set aside.  
And to jason with cheer full bening,  
His heritage first he 'gan resign.  
sceptre and crown and kingdom at the lest,  
For to perform the sum of his behest.  
Like as he was assured by his bond.  
And jason took all into his hand.  
And 'gan his uncle in full low manner,  
First to thank with all his heart enter.  
¶ And after that full knightly 'gan him pray,  
Goodly to here what that he would say.  
Of a matter that fret his heart sore,  
From day to day increasing ever more.  
Beseeching him to grant him audience,  
Touching a wrong and a violence,  
Done unto him when he no harm ne meant.  
In Troy land to Colchos as he went.  
This is to say the king of Troy town,  
Within the bonds of his region,  
When I and mine in great adversity,  
With wind and wether fordryven in the sea.  
Us to refresh to land did aryve.  
Not in purpose with him for to strive.  
But for to rest us after all our woe,  
A little while and forth anon to go.  
For we in sooth no manner harm ne thought,  
But he unkyngly of very malice sought,  
Against us to find occasion.  
Bidding in haste to void his region.  
Notwithstanding that we come in peace,  
Like as my brother knoweth Hercules.  
Unto no wight doing no distress,  
Wherefore we pray to your high noblesse,  
To our purpose for to condescend.  
Of which platly this the final end.  
That we be set in full conclusion,  
holy to work to his destruction.  
Like our avow when we thence went.  
If it so be ye goodly list assent.  
And all at ones, strongly and not spare,  
Maugre his might to Troy for to far.  
So that we may find in you favour,  
Us to refresh with gold and with treasure.  
And only eke of our courtesy,  
Us strength also with your chivalry.  
¶ And peleus without more abode,  
Anon as he this matter understood,  
Assented is of heart and will also,  
In this voyage with them for to go.  
And all the worthy of that region.  
Kings, Dukes, and Lords of renown.  
Be accorded there is not one saith nay,  
To go with them and help what they may.  
And of this journey chief solicitor,  
Was Hercules the worthy conqueror.  
¶ And he in haste his retinue to make,  
Toward Spartos' hath the way take.  
Which is an isle to Greeks pertinent.  
Fully obeying to their commandment.  
In which Pollux and Castor eke also,  
The worthy kings the mighty brothern two,  
Were as I find that time governors.  
And bore their crown like noble werreours.  
And brothern weren also unto Eleyne.  
And as poets liketh for to feign,  
That jupiter for all his deyte,  
Upon Leda begat them all three,  
That in beauty all other did excel,  
And as for Eleyne like as books tell.  
conceived was in Tyndarys the isle,  
Unto the land joining of Cecyle.  
Therefore of some I find that she is,  
After the isle called Tyndaris.  
Of their birth me list no more to indite,  
But forth I think of Hercules to write.  
That hath besought these noble kings twain,  
With mighty hand to do their busy pain,  
Only to grant with him for to wend,  
To Troy ward shortly this the end.  
And to assent they say not ones nay.  
With all the power that they catch may.  
Again what time that him list assign,  
And Hercules with cheer full benign,  
Thanked them of that they him behyght,  
And forth he went in all the haste he might,  
Toward Messene the strong mighty land,  
Within which the noble king he fond,  
The knightly man the worthy Thelamon,  
Lord and prince of that region.  
That in arms was one the manliest,  
That was a live and equal with the best.  
And when he knew that Hercules was come,  
For joy he hath him in his arms nome.  
And him received in all manner thing,  
Like as it sat to a worthy king.  
And when he wist soothly what he mente,  
Without more anon he did assent,  
With him to gone Trojans for to grieve.  
And Hercules goodly took his leave,  
And him enhasteth to thessaly again.  
To peleus and telleth him certain,  
How he hath sped beseeching him also,  
In all the haste that it may be do,  
Letters to send and all his lords call,  
And to assemble his worthy knights all,  
throughout his land that were both nigh & far.  
Such as he knew that were expert in were.  
And them also that were of counsel sage,  
For wit of them that be yronne in age,  
Is more than force without experience.  
But when manhood is mente with sapience,  
Who looketh well it may double avail.  
And they that long have used to travail.  
Like as it is plainly to suppose,  
May help most our journey to dispose.  
For unto age experience and wit,  
To youth force and hardiness sit.  
And when that both be of one intent,  
Fully accorded to worken by assent,  
With a quarrel grounded upon right,  
Through help of grace that hath triple might,  
Then need not dread with spear nor with shield,  
In knightly wise for to hold a field.  
For of knighthood the fame and the glory,  
Nor in arms conquest nor victory,  
Be not assured upon multitude.  
But on manhood so grace list conclude.  
¶ Therefore let us for to avenge our wrong,  
First with right make ourself strong,  
And eft our force manly for to show,  
Of knights chose taken out a few,  
And so avoid encumbrance of numbered.  
And so we shall our foes best encumber.  
And of all that that Hercules hath said,  
King peleus was tho right well apaid.  
For as him thought his counsel was right good,  
And Hercules without more abode.  
Is in great haste with his mien gone,  
To a province that called is Pilon,  
In which there was a duke of noble fame,  
And as I find Nestor was his name.  
Full renowned and strong of chivalry,  
And he was eke of kindred and ally,  
To Hercules and of the same blood.  
And when that he plainly understood,  
The purpose hole and cause of his coming,  
He granted him without more tarrying,  
To go himself with him in this voyage.  
With all the worthy of his baronage.  
And to be ready again a certain day,  
And Hercules as fast as ever he may,  
Repaired is again to thessaly.  
Where gathered was holy the navy,  
Of the lords full ready appareled,  
Well enarmed and richly victualed.  
¶ And peleus hath taken first the sea,  
And every lord like to his degree,  
Yshypped is and ready for to gone,  
With Hercules and also with jason,  
Their behests manly to fulfil,  
Towards Troy the City for to spill.  
And after that soothly as I find,  
They not abide but upon the wind.    

¶ Now jason, Hercules, and all the princes of Grece, assembled to avenge the uncurtesy done to them by Lamedon in this expedition towards Colchos. Cap. viii.  

When that the sweet storms of Apryll,  
Unto the root full low 'gan destille,  
His lusty liquor with many wholesome shower,  
To raise the virtue high upon the flower.  
And Phoebus was ascending in his sphere,  
And on the breast smote his beams clear.  
Of the Ram full choleric at all:  
Hallowing in veer the Equinoctial.  
When May's kalends entren in for sooth,  
And zephirus with sweet breath and smooth,  
The tender branches inspireth & doth spring  
When every bush is fresh and blosoming.  
And from the hill the water is revolved,  
Of snows white that Phoebus hath dissolved.  
For than the balm vapoureth up a loft,  
Into the air from the herbs soft.  
The roots virtue by cold of winter hid,  
Hath full his might and his force ykydde.  
Out of the earth in herb and every tree,  
Shade in the branches his humiditee,  
Araysed only with the sons heat,  
And with the moister of the rains sweet.  
When silver wells sheden out their streams,  
In rivers guilt with the son beams.  
And for he had with new green again,  
Her largesse shed upon every plain.  
And nightingales that all the wood rung,  
Full amorously did welcome in their song,  
The lusty season fresh and desirous.  
Namely to hearts the which been amorous.  
And when the sea calm is & blaundishinge,  
From trouble of wind or wawy boiling.  
And is from tempest sure to escape.  
The same season Greeks forth them shape,  
Towards Troy, Erles, Dukes, & kings.  
Their ships stuffed with all manner things,  
That to were might them most avail,  
And right anon they began to sail,  
When all was ready without more abode,  
Each ship by other on the water road.  
And when the wind at their lust 'gan blow,  
A joy it was to see them go by row.  
Which made them haste & speden on their way,  
That in short time they comen been to Troy.  
And in the haven called Symeonte,  
When Phoebus far under their orisente,  
I westred was that men no might him see,  
Greeks been past all peril of the sea,  
And cast their ancrees thinking for the best,  
In their ships the same night to rest.   

ANd in the morrow when the lark song,  
The worthy Greeks so manly & so strong  
Began to land in all the haste they might.  
On Troy ground and their tents pight.  
Afore the town with great diligence,  
For they ne found no manner resistance,  
And all this while they set good await,  
On every side lest there were deceit.  
Till on the hour that the son bright,  
Had in the morrow shade his rody light,  
Amid the field upon every tent,  
At which time all of one assent,  
The Greeks were assembled everichone.  
And by the bidding of the king anon,  
jason first and with him Hercules,  
With many worthy being in that press,  
Ben to the tent of peleus's ycome.  
And when these lords of grece both all & some  
Assembled were and in that place met,  
And each of them in his degree was set.  
Than peleus when all was whist and still,  
Right thus began the sentence of his will.  
¶ O noble & worthy of high estate and low,  
whose knightly fame throughout the world yknow,  
Reported is as fer as shineth son.  
That Greeks yet never thing begun,  
That they ne had the victory at end.  
For with the lawrer so far as men may wend,  
They crowned been of what they took on hand.  
Such is their hap both on se and land.  
¶ Wherforeye lord most worthy of renown  
Ye can remember of king Lamedowne,  
And of the wrong that he upon you wrought,  
When harm to him none of you ne thought.  
Which must be quit shortly this the end.  
For we be come to stroie them and to shende,  
Wherefore anon in all the haste we may,  
Let us set on without more delay.  
But first I read that we taken heed,  
To three things most helping in this need.  
¶ First by advise and good discretion,  
For our defence and good salvation,  
So prudently our wards for to make,  
That none of ours be at mischief take,  
This ilk day for lack of providence.  
The second is to do our diligence,  
With all our might and hold intention,  
So to labour that full destruction,  
Come to our foes & to ourselves glory.  
¶ And this the third that we may victory,  
Enjoy of them platly at the last.  
And over this ye may afore well cast,  
If we of knighthood through our hardiness,  
May vanquish them we shall so high richesses,  
Conquer of them to our possessyowne,  
For it is known how that Troy town,  
Of all plenty as it shallbe found,  
Of gold & treasure doth passingly abound.  
That our ships soothly as I ween,  
For to receive ne shall not mow sustain,  
The abundance that is yonder within.  
If it so be that we the City win.  
As god us grant if so it be his will.  
¶ And also fast as the king was still,  
The noble knight the strong Hercules,  
In the presence of that worthy press,  
Said his counsel was highly to commend.  
For wise beginning is praised by the end.  
But to effect our purpose for to bring.  
My counsel is that in the morning,  
Tofore or we discured been by day,  
That we us arm in all the haste we may.  
And on this field that we do our pain,  
For to divide our main into twain.  
And of the tone shall king Thelamowne,  
Be governor of his high renown.  
And of the other king peleus shall have,  
The governance wisely them to save.  
And I myself and jason here my brother,  
Shall secretly go with all the other,  
Under the City or the son shines.  
And in the bushaile and the thick wines,  
We shall us hide and keep us there full koye.  
For Lamedon that is king of Troy,  
Anon as he may here or may espy,  
Of the Greeks with his chivalry,  
Out of the City will issue out anon.  
With us to fight & venge him of his fone.  
But when he cometh to our ships ward,  
Nestor the duke shall in the first ward,  
Meet with him and Castor shall also,  
When he seeth time knightly have ado,  
To help Nestor if that it be need.  
The third ward peleus shall lead,  
And whiles ye do thus him occupy,  
jason and I shall us as fast high,  
Unto the City unwist of them eachone.  
I doubt not we shall it win anon.  
Doth by counsel and it will you avail,  
And here my troth that ye may not fail,  
For to conquer the City yond tofore.  
This all and some ye get of me no more.  
¶ And they accord with all their strength & might  
Enarme them in steel that shone full bright,  
Again the son at morrow when he riseth,  
And wrought at all as Hercules deviseth.    

¶ Of the battle betwixt the Grecians and the Troyans', wherein the Trojans were discomfeted, their king slain, and after their City taken, razed, and destroyed. Ca ix.  

King Lamedon when that he heard tell,  
Of their coming him list no longer dwell,  
But out he went with many a noble knight,  
flowering in youth and desirous to fight.  
And all though that mighten arms bear,  
Or that could shoot or handle durst a spear.  
¶ And when they were assembled in the field,  
everich his arms depeint upon his shield,  
Brouded or beat upon his coote armure,  
Than Lamedon with all his busy cure,  
Set them in order and his wards maketh,  
And in the field forth his way he taketh,  
Toward the Greeks as any line right.  
Fully purposing there to abide and fight.  
He was not ware of them that were behind,  
He not adverteth or casteth in his mind,  
The great sleight nor the treachery,  
That him was shape he could it not espy.  
But forth he went with his wards set,  
And the Greeks anon with him hath met.  
With heart bold atoned not at all.  
Duke Nestor first sturdy as a wall,  
In whose manhood was never founden lack,  
Full knightly than upon his horse back,  
To heart his men and his knights eke,  
'Gan press in with many worthy Greek,  
With Lamedon sturdily to mete.  
At which time they felt it full unsweet.  
For in the frounter many manly man,  
With sharp spears first together ran.  
And eft with sword sharp & keen ygrounde  
Was thilk day given many a wound.  
Where as they met thus on every side,  
Through plate & mail their wounds bled wide,  
And basenettes they rive to the crown,  
The noise of strokes in the air 'gan sown.  
And of the blood that though was shed of new,  
The green soil changed hath his hew.  
For it was died plainly in to red.  
Upon the which full many man lay dead.  
And many worthy lost their his life,  
And certainly than in this mortal strife,  
The Greeks had discomfited be eachone,  
Ne had Castor succoured them anon,  
The folk of Troy so manly have them bore,  
That many a knight of greeks was ylore.  
But after Castor entereth in battle,  
With his knights so sore he did assail,  
The worthy Trojans that with spear & shield,  
Greeks again recovered have the field.  
That many one lieth slain upon the green,  
Through girt the body with sharp spears keen.  
That they of Troy in this mortal stour,  
Were drive a back till there came succour,  
To them in haste of worthy Lamedowne.  
Which entered in like a wood lion,  
And made a way upon every side.  
And where as he made his sword to glide,  
There was but death so manly he him bare.  
That well uneath was there none that dare,  
Abide his stroke for riding up and down,  
He made way about him enuirowne.  
In the renges he hath his foen out sought,  
That day in arms marvels hath he wroute.  
Than by his manhood and his worthiness,  
He the greeks hath brought in such distress,  
That they his sword flyen as the death,  
Marciles so many of them he slayeth.  
Of which slaughter the greeks were confuse,  
Till peleus came to their rescuse,  
Irous and wood as he were fall in rage.  
He thought he would the great pomp assuage,  
Of them of Troy and so he did anon.  
For he unhorseth of them many one.  
And felly slough all that stood him aforne,  
And many harueys he hath that day to torn.  
And made shields for to rive a sunder,  
That to behold it was a very wondre.  
Till Lamedon his people saw go back,  
For peleus brought them so to wrack,  
Whereof in heart he felt full great pain.  
Beseeching them eft to repair again,  
And kith their might & like as men endure,  
And so the field he made them to recure.  
Till duke Nestor knew that Lamedowne,  
Amid the field was king of Troy town,  
And right anon without more abode,  
Against him a full great pace he road.  
And when the king did him first espy,  
Of high despite of rancour and envy,  
In knightly wise 'gan to turn again.  
Nothing aghast but of high disdain,  
With irons heart enbolned all with pride,  
His horse fiercely smiting in the side,  
That from the prick out ran the red blood.  
And forth to Nestor like as he were wood,  
He road anon and he his spear broke.  
But he full knightly kept his horse back,  
And full deliverly him again to quite,  
With spear full sharp whet for to bite,  
Through shield & breast gave him such a wound  
That fro his horse he field him down to ground.  
Of which fall the king nothing a feared,  
Uprise again and knightly drew his sword,  
So anger fret him at his heart rote,  
That he unhorsed fight must on foot.  
Whereof he was in partyfull confuse,  
Till one Cedar came to his rescuse.  
That was made knight the self same year,  
Young fresh and lusty and of noble cheer.  
sitting that time on a noble stead,  
And when that he 'gan to take heed,  
And saw the king on foot at mischief fight,  
'Gan forth to prick in all the hast he might,  
Toward Nestor and with a spear him hit,  
From his saddle that he made him flit.  
Down to the ground afore king Lamedon,  
But he anon full like a champion,  
Recured up and himself defendeth,  
And many a stroke each on other spendeth,  
With sharp swerdrs keen for to bite.  
Eueriche at other 'gan foin and smite.  
Till Lamedon with a dispyteous cheer,  
From of his face razed his viser.  
And by that stripe he of at ones sinet,  
A rich circle from his bassenet.  
Of large pearl going environ.  
With crest and all he fiercely beat a down.  
That whiles Nestor thus afore him stood,  
His face was all depeint with his blood.  
That certainly the sooth to conclude,  
Had not Greeks with great multitude,  
Rescued him he had of Lamedowne,  
Be slain as fast for he was boar a down,  
Unto the earth among the horse feet.  
But Castor thought that he ne would let,  
To be his help as he beheld yfeare,  
And yrously he took a mighty spear,  
And to Cedar that I spoke of late,  
He 'gan to ride and prick in deadly hate.  
But or he came and took him there doubtless,  
A Trojan knight called Segnerides,  
Cousin to Cedar when he hath this seen,  
On a courser road anon between,  
And with a spear he smote Castor so,  
That with the stroke it broken is a two.  
To whom Castor withouten more areste,  
Hath with a spear amids of the breast,  
Segnerides give a mortal wound.  
That likely was never for to sound.  
Wherefore Cedar caught hath such envy,  
That he anon of fell melancholy,  
And of despite boiling in his heart,  
Segnerides when he behold so smart,  
Maugre who grudgeth amids of the field,  
Of very might from Castor took his shield.  
And through vizor of rancour and of rage,  
He wounded him amids of his visage.  
And eke his horse fro him also he caught,  
And to his squire manfully it reached.  
That certainly he stood in such disjoint,  
This worthy Castor that he was in point,  
To have be taken of them of Troy tho.  
For he on foot with him must have go,  
Ne had Pollux with many manly knight,  
more than vii hundred in steel armed bright,  
The rather come Castor to rescue.  
Which after them so sore 'gan to sew,  
That maugre them Castor when he fond,  
Of force he rest him from his enemy's hand,  
And to his horse restored him again.  
And after that this Pollux in certain,  
Of very anger and of fervent Ire,  
Again Troyans' with rancour set a fire,  
That all at ones he upon them set,  
And in his mode by fortune as he met,  
A Trojan knight called Eliatus,  
In arms young fresh and desirous,  
Wonder seemly and yet of tender age,  
The kings son also of great Cartage,  
And nephew eke unto king Lamedon.  
Whom Pollux hath like a fierce Lion,  
Without compassion pity or mercy,  
Within the renges slain full cruelly.  
That Lamedon when he 'gan take heed,  
Of inward dole felt his heart bleed,  
When he him saw in point upon the death,  
Full piteously yelden up the breath.  
Upon the plain as he lay him before.  
For which anon he made sown a horn,  
At which time there came in rich array,  
Seven. M. knight tin all the haste they may,  
Upon his death avenged for to be.  
Which merciless of their great cruelty,  
The Greeks have here and there confounded,  
Here lieth one dead & here another wounded.  
So that they might with them hold no tack.  
So mortally they made them go aback,  
That all 'gan turn to their confusion.  
And finally that day with Lamedon,  
The triumph had and the field gone,  
Save that alas out of the town anon,  
Unto the king there came a messengere,  
That hath him told with a full piteous cheer,  
How the Greeks have his City take.  
¶ Then for to see the woe he though did make,  
It would have made a piteus heart as believe,  
Of very dole a sunder for to rive.  
So sore he 'gan within himself to mourn.  
He witted not to what party he may turn.  
But in a weaver he abiding long.  
Afore him saw the mighty Greeks strong,  
And in the City another host behind,  
Almost for woe he went out of his mind.  
And suddenly backward as he beheld,  
Toward the City he saw come in the field,  
First Hercules and with him jason.  
That by their sleight wonnen had the town.  
And in all hast this cruel Hercules,  
The mighty giant of force peerless,  
Like a Lion wood and dispiteous,  
Or a Tiger ramage and furious,  
'Gan of new them of Troy assail.  
And with his sword pierce plate & mail.  
Which of labour were full mate and faint,  
And of long fight with weariness attaint.  
And he came in lusty fresh and green,  
That they his force might him not sustain,  
For as he road among them here & yonder,  
In cruel wise he severed them a sunder.  
And put them holy in this high mischance,  
Out of rule and from all governance.  
So that the king oppressed all with dole,  
Out of his wards destitute and sole,  
At mischief left and all infortunate,  
And of comfort fully disconsolate.  
This Hercules with full dispiteous look,  
With sharp spurs his stead felly took,  
And cruelly road forth to Lamedowne,  
And to the earth fiercely bore him down.  
And upon him in all the hast he might,  
Down of his horse suddenly alight,  
And mightily rend of his bassenet.  
And with a sword sharp ground and whet,  
Smote of his head there was no other grace  
And cast it forth in the self place.  
Among the horse by cruel violence.  
Without pity or any reverence.  
And in arage reached his horse again,  
And like a Lion renning on the plain.  
Bore down & slough what so can in his weigh.  
And many Trojan at that time made die.  
That like to sheep were forskatered wide,  
All destitute of governor or guide.  
Ne can no read shortly to conclude,  
For the Greeks with double multitude,  
'Gan them enchase to the death full blyue.  
That well uneath there left was one alive.  
The field they have & been that day victors.  
And with triumph like as conquerors,  
To the city they took their way after,  
And rend adown both wall spar & rafter.  
And all the treasure and riches of the town  
They took anon to their possessyowne.  
Who ever grudge or be lief or loath,  
What they found there plainly with them goeth.  
And in the temples did great violence.  
There to the gods doing no reverence.  
For all they spoil without dread or fear,  
And unto ship every thing they bear.  
And merciless on crooked old and lame.  
Their swords they made cruelly to tame.  
And children souking at their mother breast.  
They kill and slay withouten more arrest.  
And young maidens weeping in distress,  
Full gentle borne and of great seemliness,  
With them they led & may not them excuse,  
Their fresh beauty falsely to misuse.  
They waste bren and consumen all,  
And round about they broke adown the wall.  
And Exyone the kings daughter dear,  
That was to him so passingly enter,  
By his life I mean to Lamedon,  
meek and bening of her condition.  
This Hercules hath anon her take,  
That in her dreadful piteously 'gan quake.  
And her delivered unto Thelamowne,  
For that he entered first into town.  
And he his gift received hath at gree,  
Because she was surmounting of beauty.  
And treated her after as he would,  
Not like as he a kings daughter should.  
For sith he hath her won by victory,  
For his worship and his own glory,  
Having regard to her high degree,  
He should rather of knightly honesty,  
And of knighthood wedded her therefore,  
Sith that she was of blood so gentle boar.  
Than of false lust again all goodlihead,  
Used her beauty and her womanhaede,  
Dishonestly and in such sinful wise.  
Of royal blood not like the high emprise.  
Nor the doctrine of nature's right.  
Nor like to nurture of a gentle knight.  
Considered first her birth and her kindred,  
Her green youth and eke her maidenhead,  
So good so fair so womanly thereto,  
A kings daughter of birth she was also,  
To have her wed it could have be no shame.  
Now Thelamon in sooth thou were to blame,  
For through the error of thy governance,  
There kindled was of full high vengeance,  
So hot a spark after of envy,  
That through the world the fire 'gan multiply.  
Which was not like to quench of his heat,  
For hatred old to bren can not let.  
With new flawme who so taketh heed,  
If it not smoke it is the more to dread.  
As in this story hereafter shall be know.  
& when this town was brent & brought so low,  
Both tour and wall with the soil made plain,  
And nothing stood of all that might be sein.  
So utterly the Greeks them oppress,  
Making all waste like a wilderness.  
¶ For good treasure & riches infinite,  
With many jewel full pleasing of delight,  
To their ships out of the town they lead,  
And in short time homeward do they speed.  
With treasure stuffed & abundance of good.  
And when they saw that the wether stood,  
The wind also at their lust they had.  
They 'gan to sail and with them home they lad,  
Young Exione and many a maid more.  
That out of Troy into Grece go.  
And sailing forth within a little space,  
They be escaped fro the sea by grace.  
And unto land arrived merely.  
At whose coming the Greeks utterly,  
So joyful be of their good speed,  
And specially in Guido as I read,  
Their ships were with gold & treasure lad.  
Whereof in heart they wax wonder glade.  
And for they had outward so well them borne,  
To overthrow and have so few ylorne,  
Of their main they thank their god's al.  
And of the grace that to them is fall.  
For with the treasure that have they home brought,  
Full many poor was made up of nought,  
Throughout that land there was such abundance  
So much good and so great suffisance.  
That no wight had among them need,  
And many day this blessedfull life they lead.  
From year to year by revoluciowne,  
And for their manhood & their high renown,  
Their honour ran round the world about.  
That them toffende many land hath doubt.  
For their knighthod & for they were so wise.  
Until the story last again devise.  
In this matter ferther to proceed,  
With the favour of your goodlyhead,  
I will me rest for a little space.  
And than upborne with support of your grace,  
For taccomplishe as I you undertook,  
And here an end of the first book.  
I make now with quaking hand for dread,  
Only for fear of you that shall it read,  
Lest ye alas of hasty motion,  
Ne will not have no compassion,  
pity nor ruth upon my rudeness.  
Lowly beseeching to your gentilcesse,  
Of mercy only both nigh and far,  
Where ye find that I fail or err,  
For to correct or ye further flit.  
For to your grace I holy all commit.     


¶ The Translator complaineth the misfortune of the Troyans' in the loss of their City, lively describing the tykle estate of Fortune's governance, beginning in the same chapter his second book persewing the matter of the said history. Ca x.  

THe envious order of fortunate meaning,  
In worldly thing false and flikering,  
Nil suffer us as in this present life,  
To live in rest without were or strife.  
For she is blind fikel and unstable,  
And of her course false and full mutable.  
Who sitteth highest she can him down incline,  
When he lest weeneth and bring him to ruin.  
With the awaits that gladly been sudden.  
And with her face that parted is in twain.  
Show most hold when she is lest to tryst,  
That well were him that her deceits wist.  
And her engines and her traps knew.  
That in her court every day be new.  
Of which in sooth I well affirm dare,  
No mortal man may in this life beware.  
For she uneven peysing in balance,  
With counterfeit and feigned countenance,  
With lo●ing plain & cheer of flattery,  
unwarely can do blere a man's eye,  
And him beguile this the very sooth,  
With a face blandishing and smooth.  
When she hath him from high degree made low,  
Full falsely smile and make to him the mow.  
And yet somewhile most variant of hew,  
She unto some pretendeth to be true.  
For she whilom to some is favourable,  
And to some false and like deceivable.  
She can raise one and bring another down,  
This false lady of transmutacyowne,  
To some she giveth renown & victory,  
And doth them flower in honour & glory.  
And some she can appair with false fame,  
And guiltless perdie put a man in blame.  
To some she is goodly and benign,  
And of disdain she can also malign,  
Again an other and make him lout low,  
And from their see she can great kings throw  
And them avail for all their high towers,  
And she can plunge worthy Emperors.  
From the hill of high prosperetye.  
Into the vail like of adversity.  
The rich emprishe of rancour & disdain,  
And eft the poor she can enhance again,  
This false goddess with her eyen blind,  
Set one afore another goeth behind,  
And doth one run & maketh another halt,  
And one she can high in riches exalt,  
And an other plunge in poverty,  
In whom no man may have securytye.  
To some sugar and honey she distilleth,  
And to other some she the bottle filleth,  
With bitter gall myrrh and aloes.  
And thus this lady wilful and reckless,  
As she that is froward and perverse,  
Hath in her seller drinks full divers.  
For she to some of fraud and of fallas,  
Ministereth piment balm and hippocras.  
And suddenly when the soot is past,  
She of custom can give him a cast,  
For to conclude falsely in the fine,  
Of bitter easel and of eager wine.  
And corrosynes that fret and pierce deep.  
And Narcotikes that cause men to sleep.  
Thus she to them that her can approach,  
After sweet the bitter can a brooch.  
Thus in her reign this queen of variance,  
Whose joy always fineth with mischance.  
Who trusteth her she will him overcast,  
And him deceive plainly at the last.  
Of what estate soever that he be,  
This double lady of mutabilitye.  
See here example of king Lamedon,  
Whom she hath brought to confusion.  
For little cause and for a thing of nought,  
Her cruelty he hath to dear about.  
Wherefore I read every man take heed,  
To gin a quarrel where as is no need.  
For little fire under ashes reek,  
So may be kindled that it will out break,  
Into such flawme men may it not appease.  
Who best can suffer most shall have his ease,  
Therefore ye kings and lords everichone,  
Make you a mirror of this Lamedone,  
And be well aware to do no violence,  
Unto strangers when they do none offence.  
When they come far into this region,  
Ne suffer them by none oppression,  
Within your bonds for to have no wrong.  
For in your own though that ye be strong,  
And mighty eke among your lieges all,  
Another day perauntre may befall,  
That when that ye full little think on it,  
Of sudden case thus may ye be aquyt.  
And ythanked in another place,  
Of adventure where ye may fail of grace.  
Therefore when ye may any such espy,  
Do them good cheyre of your courtesy.  
And prudently consider in your wit,  
That to a lord of gentleness it sit,  
To every stranger goodly him to have.  
There is nothing may more his honour save.  
Than to refresh them freely and disport,  
Than may they after good of him report.  
By whose contrary hath much woe be wrought  
Afore this time if so it be well sought.  
The first Troy thus utterly destroyed,  
And the people in sorrow and woe accloyed.  
Lad into exile a far from their city,  
living in thraldom and captivity.  
And Exyone as ye have heard me tell,  
Led into Grece with Thelamon to dwell.  
For whom there was as Guido can you teach,  
After take so great vengeance & wretch.  
On either part that in very truth,  
For to hear it is to great a ruth.  
As in this book ye may hereafter read,  
seriously if that ye list take heed,  
For gladly aye by revolusyon,  
Of fatal thing by disposition,  
So envious is and always meynt with woe,  
That in this world where so that we go,  
We truly may advert as in our thought,  
That for the value of a thing of nought.  
Mortal causes of wars first begun.  
Strife and debate here underneath the son.  
Were moved first of small occasion,  
That caused after great confusion,  
That no man can the harms half indite,  
And for a cause dear enough a mite.  
Each one is ready to destroy other.  
A man for little strive will with his brother.  
Blood is unkind which greatly is to dread,  
Alas why ne will they take better heed,  
For old Troy and after that the new,  
Through small encheason who the troth knew,  
Were finally brought to destruction.  
As old books make mention.  
And many worthy and many noble knight,  
Slain in the field by duresse of that fight.  
Kings and princes at the siege been dead,  
When Atropos list break their lives thread.  
That for to tell the mischief and the woe,  
I want cunning and I feel also,  
My pen quake and tremble in my hand.  
List that my lord dread on sea & land,  
Whose worthiness through the world doth spread  
My rude making shall behold and read,  
Which of colour full naked is and bare.  
That but if he of his mercy spare,  
For to disdain and list to have pity,  
For fear I tremble that he should it see.  
¶ But only mercy that doth his heart embrace,  
Bid me presume fully in his grace,  
Seeing in him most virtuous and good,  
Mercy annexed unto royal blood,  
As to a prince longeth nigh and far,  
Ay to fore right pity to prefer.  
For through the support of his high noblesse,  
As now I will ayene my style dress,  
To write forth the story by and by.  
Of new Troy in order seriously.  
As mine author in latin Guydo wryt.  
Praying the reader where as my words missit,  
Causing the metre to be halt or lame,  
For to correct to save me from blame.  
Let him not wait to have curyosytye,  
Sith that in rhyme english hath skersytye,  
I am so dull certain that I ne can,  
Guido ensue that clerk and curious man.  
Which in latin hath by rhetoric,  
Set so his words that I can not be like.  
To sew his style in my translation.  
word by word like the construction.  
After the manner of gramariens.  
Nor like the style of rethoriciens.  
I took but on me this story to translate,  
For me to further Clio came to late.  
That in such craft hath great experience,  
I leave the words and follow the sentence.  
And truth of metre I set also aside,  
For of that art I had as though no guide.  
Me to reduce when I went a wrong,  
Taking small heed either of short or long.  
But to the troth and let curiosity,  
Both of making and of metre be,  
Not purposing to much for to vary,  
Nor for to be divers nor contrary,  
Unto Guydo as by discordance.  
But me conform fully in substance.  
Only in meaning to conclude all one.  
Albe that I ne can the way gone,  
To sew the flowers of his eloquence.  
Nor of painting I have none excellence.  
With sundry hews noble fresh and gay,  
So rich colours byggen I ne may.  
I must proceed with sable and with black,  
And in ennuing where ye find a lack,  
I axe mercy or that I fro you twin,  
And with your favour I will now begin.  
And in all haste my style forth right direct,  
And where I err I pray you to correct.   

THe same time when that Troy town,  
Destroyed was & that king Lomedowne,  
Was also slain through the cruelty,  
Of Hercules and that tofore his city.  
He had a son the story telleth us,  
Which was his heir called Priamus.  
Wonder manly discrete eke and prudent,  
Which at that time from Troy was absent,  
When so his father lost hath so his life.  
For at that time with Hecuba his wife,  
And with his sons about a castle lay.  
And all his knights to get it if they may.  
That hath on them mightily werreyed,  
For they his father falsely disobeyed.  
And unto him be rebel wonder long.  
Albe Priam with sautes huge and strong,  
Them had assailed oft and many sith.  
His strength on them like a knight to kith,  
To get in arms worship and honour,  
And them to daunt like a conqueror,  
He cast him fully or that he depart,  
For day by day his life he 'gan jeoparte,  
Tofore their walls for to prove his might,  
With many baron & many worthy knight.  
For he was flowing yet lusty blood,  
And was of age flowering in knighthood.  
And at assaults and such manner strife,  
On with the first adventure his life.  
To heart his men him list not be behind.  
For dread of death soothly as I find.  
Afore the castle high & thick ywalled,  
And by his wife that Hecuba was called.  
This Priam had full worthy of degree,  
Five sons and young daughters three.  
¶ Of which the eldest Hector called was,  
Which also far as Phoebus in compass,  
A natural day his circle goeth about,  
So far of him withouten any doubt,  
Reported was the renown and the name,  
The worthiness and the noble fame.  
For like as books of him specify,  
He was the root and stock of chivalry.  
And of knighthod very sovereign flower,  
The sours and well of worship and honour.  
And of manhood I dare it well express,  
Patron & mirror and of high prowess,  
beginning and ground & with all this yfeare,  
Wonder benign and lowly of his cheer.  
Discrete also prudent and virtuous,  
Of whom the deeds and acts marvelous,  
Remembered been of so long a gone.  
For he alone excelled everichone.  
In old auctors read and ye may find,  
Of his knighthod how yet they maken mind.  
¶ The next brother called was Paris,  
To whom nature gave to her device,  
Of shape and form beauty & seemliness,  
That to record his excellent fairness,  
He in his time withouten any dread,  
Far passed all that I can of read,  
And he was eke a full manly knight.  
But most he used when so he should fight,  
In his hand to bear a mighty bow.  
For such an archer no man could know.  
None might be found to seek both far & near,  
That of shooting might hardly be his peer.  
As he was found when he had a do,  
And Alexsandre called he was also.  
¶ The third son hight Deiphobus,  
A worthy knight and a chivalrous.  
And had in arms a full great renown,  
And was a man of high discresciowne.  
And wife of counsel mine author sayeth thus.  
¶ The fourth brother called was Helenus.  
Sad and discrete and of high prudence,  
And was also a man of great science,  
And renowned therewith in special.  
In all the arts called liberal,  
For he in them was full expert a right.  
¶ The fifth son was a worthy knight.  
Fresh and lusty and youngest of them all,  
And as sayeth Guido Troilus men him call.  
A manly man valiant in battle,  
And fearsely hot his foemen to assail.  
One of the best in his time yfound,  
For called he was Hector the second.  
For his manhood throughout Troy book,  
Within the were full oft upon him took.  
Of his knighthood many high emprise,  
As the story like after shall devise.  
¶ And in his book like as write Vergile,  
The poet old with sovereignty of style.  
How that the king Priam had also,  
By Hecuba other sons two.  
And by record of this Vergelius,  
The one was named polidorus.  
Whom Priamus in his green youth,  
When that the coming was of Greeks kouth,  
To Troyewarde in all the haste anon,  
With gold treasure and many rich stone,  
Hath sent him forth beside unto a king,  
Of full great trust to have him in keeping.  
Till time he saw what conclusion,  
There should befall after of the town.  
And eke what fine the wars shoulden take,  
That upon them the Greeks though did make.  
But thilk king of false covetise,  
Of his treasure that ye have herd devise,  
When that he saw fortunes variance,  
Toward Priam and his unhappy chance,  
Like a tyrant and murderer also,  
The child's throat made do cut a two.  
And after that he full of cruelty,  
Made his men to bury him privily,  
That no man might his treason understand.  
Beside a sea deep under the strand.  
¶ The other son also that I of read,  
In Vergile called was fair Ganymede.  
Whom jupiter hath in a forest hente,  
Upon a day as he on hunting went.  
And bore him up above the stars clear,  
And in the heavens made him butlere.  
Eternally with him to wonnen there,  
In stead of Hebe's his own daughter dear.  
¶ The first daughter of king Pryamus,  
Was hoot Creusa as sayeth Vergilius,  
In his Eneydos soothly as it was.  
And she was wedded unto Aeneas,  
And eke this story sayeth that this Enee,  
Was wonderful in his nativity.  
Of whom the father as I find doubtless,  
Was in his time called anchises.  
That him begat on Venus the goddess.  
For after her he was of such fairness,  
That to no wight could never yet be se,  
A man that was more passing of beauty.  
Of whom this story touching his working,  
Shall you declare many wonder thing.  
For it is he to whom so great a loose,  
Vergyle hath give in his Eneydos.  
For he that book in worship of Enee,  
Compiled hath like as ye may see.  
Of his knyghthood and many strong battle,  
By him achieved before he won italy.  
Full long time after that the royal town,  
Of Troy was brought to his confusiowne.  
And of his conquest if ye list take heed,  
In this poet ye may by order read.  
And how in arms he wrought in all his age,  
And of his coming also to Cartage,  
From Troywarde within a little while,  
All this ye may behold in great Vergile.  
¶ Another daughter also it is found,  
King Priam had of birth the second,  
Called Cassandra of full great sadness.  
And was in manner a divineresse.  
And in each art had experience,  
Of things future fully the prescience,  
To tell afore what that shall betide.  
Of whom the fame sprang in costs wide,  
Which kept her chaste aye in virginity,  
And eke in prayers and in honesty.  
She led her life and in devotion,  
After the rites and the religion,  
Of Pagynisme used in though days.  
The observances keeping of their lays.  
¶ The third daughter hight Pollicene,  
Youngest of all and still a maid clean,  
She kept herself & honest in her law.  
Unto the time that Pirrus hath her slawe.  
Of shape of fortune was never by nature,  
Wrought to behold a fairer creature.  
Eke as I find this noble king also,  
Had thirty sons the book saith & no more.  
Hardy in arms and noble found at all,  
That called were his sons natural.  
And they were all excepting never one,  
Worthy knights and manly men eachone.  
And their names who so list to know,  
He shall them find write upon arrow,  
After in story everich after other,  
Beginning first at the eldest brother.  
¶ And whiles Priam at the siege lay,  
Tofore the castle to get it if he may,  
And thereabout hath many way sought,  
The woeful tidings be unto him brought,  
How the greeks have taken Troy town.  
And slain his father worthy Lamedowne.  
And how the City of old foundaciowne,  
Full piteously was turned up so down.  
The worthy lords and gentle men eachone,  
Taken and slain and ylefte not one,  
Of them a live through Greeks cruelty.  
After the ruin alas of their City.  
And Action his own sister dear,  
Lad in exile with her eyen clear.  
¶ Wherefore the king in heart atoned so,  
For very sorrow he nist what to do.  
His sudden woe 'gan him so constrain.  
He sobbeth weepeth that of mortal pain,  
He thought his heart would a sondre breast.  
Of high distress for he might have no rest.  
And into tears he 'gan himself destylle,  
That for to die was finally his will.  
¶ And fortune that can so falsely vary,  
With dreary heart 'gan bitterly to wary.  
That she to him was so deceivable.  
So inly cruel and unmercyable.  
So dispyteous and so stern of face,  
So vengeable and so devoid of grace.  
For of envy with a raged thought,  
She hath her worst of malis on him wrought.  
And felly showed what she might do.  
That in this world was never wight so wo.  
As I suppose of no manner of age.  
To reaken all her harms and damage.  
For which anon in all that ever he may.  
In haste he changeth all his rich array,  
Tryste and heavy with deadly face pale,  
So atoned with this mortal tale,  
That his desire was to have be dead,  
With countenance inclined and with head.  
This life he lad and clad him all in black,  
And suddenly he the siege broke,  
And would as tho no longer there abide,  
But with his folk anon he 'gan to ride,  
That piteously 'gan likewise with him morn,  
And toward Troy at once they eft return.  
¶ And when that he hath the City found,  
Plain with the soil & even which the ground,  
The high walls whilom thick and long,  
Ybeate down that made were so strong,  
And his towers and palace principal,  
That was in building so excellent royal,  
So famous rich and of great noblesse,  
He found turned into wilderness.  
His people slain, his sister lad away,  
For very woe he ne wist what to say.  
For the constraint of his adversity,  
And for his harms that will not cured be.  
For in that time he was right fully sure,  
Upon no side there found might be recure.  
Wherefore he can nought do but sob & weep  
And fro his breast with sighs sought full deed,  
Broken out with pale and dead visage,  
And thus alas in this furious rage,  
Full piteously all his host and he,  
Without respite continued days three.  
Till at the last the dark skies black,  
'Gan of their woe in party for to slack.  
And the tempest some deal 'gan withdraw,  
And of their weeping blandyshe 'gan the wawe.  
And when the flood of woe is over paste,  
The ebb of joy follow must in haste.  
To sorrow ever it would their hearts shende.  
And at a term every woe must end.  
for though for friends men may weep & wail,  
After their death their tears may not avail.  
Wherefore the king after all his care,  
Hath sought a way the City to repair.  
And cast him fully if it would so be,  
To make a virtue of necessity.  
And manfully after all his tene,  
When that the air 'gan to wexen clean,  
Of the mists of his cloudy sorrow,  
And that some deal adawe 'gan the morrow  
Of heaviness after the dark night,  
Chased away with a son bright,  
Of new joy for aye the fine of woe,  
Must be gladness when sorrow is ygo.  
And so Priam after a certain space,  
When his sorrow 'gan light and light to pass,  
And of wisdom in all his pytious smart,  
'Gan prudently to plucken up his heart,  
And of his eyen the waves 'gan to clear,  
Anon he wrought as ye shall after here.    

¶ How Priam son to Lamedon and succeeding his father, builded the city again. Cap. xi.  

THe sorrow assuaged & the sighs old,  
By long process like as I you told,  
This worthy king called Pryamus,  
In his heart is now so desirous,  
Upon the plain that was so waste & wild,  
So strong a town of new for to build,  
At his devise a City edify,  
That shall the assaults utterly defy,  
Of enemies all and the mortal foone.  
With rich towers and walls of hard stone.  
And all about the countries environ,  
He made seek in every region,  
For such workmen as were curious,  
Of wit inventive of casting marvelous,  
Or such as could craft of geometry,  
Or were subtle in their fantasy.  
And for every such as was a good devisor,  
Mason, hewer, or crafty quarreour,  
For every wright and passing carpenter,  
That may be found either far or near,  
For such as could grave groupe or carve,  
Or such as were able for to serve,  
With lime and stone for to raise a wall,  
With batayling and crests martial.  
Or such as had cunning in their head,  
Alabaster other white or read,  
Or marble grey for to pullyshe plain,  
To make it smooth of veins and of grain,  
He sent also for every image our,  
Both in entail and every portreyour,  
That could well draw or with colour peynte,  
With hews fresh that the work not feynte,  
And such as could with countenance glad,  
Make an image that will never fade.  
To counterfeit in metal tree or stone.  
To sotill work of him Pygmaleon.  
Or of Apollo which as books do tell,  
In imagery all other did excel.  
For by his craft and working curious,  
The tomb he made of king Daryus.  
Which Alixsandre did on height raise,  
Only for men should his fame preyse.  
In his conquest by Perce when he went.  
And thus Priam for every master sent,  
For each carver and curious joiner,  
To make knots which many a quaint flower.  
To set on crests within and eke without,  
Upon the wall the City round about.  
Or who that were excelling in practic,  
Of any art called mecanyke.  
Or had a name flowering or famous,  
Was after sent to come to Priamus.  
¶ For he purposeth this noble worthy king,  
To make a City royal in building.  
Brode, large, and wide, & lest it were assailed,  
By were about proudly embattled.  
And first the ground he caused to be sought,  
Full deep and low that it fail nought.  
To make sure the foundaciowne,  
In the place where as the old town,  
Was first ybuylded he the walls set.  
And he of land many mile out met,  
About in compass for to make it large.  
As the masters that took on them the charge  
devised have the setting and the scyte.  
For wholesome air to be more of delight.  
¶ And when the soil defouled with ruin,  
Of walls old was made plain as a line.  
The workmen 'gan this City for to found.  
Full mighty with stones square and round.  
That in this world was none unto it lyche,  
Of workmanship nor of building rich.  
Nor in craft of curious masonry,  
I can no terms to speak of geometry.  
Wherefore as now I must them set a side,  
For certainly I never red Enclide.  
That the master and the foundour was,  
Of all that work by square or by compass.  
Or keep their measure by level or by line,  
I am to rude as clearly to define,  
Or to descrive this work in every part.  
For lack of terms longing to that art.  
But I dare well of troth affyrmen here,  
In all this world ne was there never peer.  
Unto this City and write it for a sooth.  
As in his book my master Guydo doth.  
And that it might in his prosperity,  
In high honour and in felicity,  
From all assault perpetually contune,  
It raised was in worship of Neptune.  
And named Troy as it was tho toforne,  
Like the first that was through greeks lost.  
The length thereof was shortly to conclude,  
Three days journey and like the latitude.  
That never erst I heard make mention,  
Of such another of foundation.  
So huge in compass nor of such largesse,  
Nor to count so passing of fairness.  
So edified or lusty to the sight,  
And as I read the walls were on height,  
Two hundred cubytes all of marble grey.  
Magecolled without for sautes and assay.  
And it to make more pleasant of delight,  
Among the marbel was alblaster white,  
Meynt in the walls & round the town about  
To make it show within and eke without.  
So fresh so rich and so delectable,  
That it alone was incomparable.  
Of all Cities that any mortal man,  
Saw ever yet sith that the world began.  
And at the corner of every wall was set,  
A crown of gold with rich stones yfrette.  
That shone full bright again the son sheen.  
And every tower bretexed was so clean,  
Of chose stone that were not far a sunder,  
That to behold it was very wonder.  
Thereto his City compassed enuirowne,  
Had gates vi to enter into town.  
The first of them and strongest eke withal,  
Largest also and most principal,  
Of mighty building by himself peerless,  
Was by the king called Dardanydes.  
And in story like as it is found,  
Tymbrya was named the second.  
And the third was called Helyas,  
The fourth gate height also Cetheas.  
The fifth Troiana the sixth Antinorydes,  
Strong & mighty both in were and peace.  
With square towers set on every side,  
At whose corners of very pomp and pride,  
The workmen have with stern & fell visages,  
Of rich entail up raised great images.  
Wrought out of stone and never like to fail,  
Full curiously enarmed for battle.  
And through the wall their foemen for to let,  
At every tour were great gonnes set.  
For assaults and sudden adventures.  
And on each tourettes were raised up figures  
Of savage beasts as Bears & of Lions.  
Of Tigers, Boars, of Serpents & Dragons  
And hearts eke with their broad horns,  
Of Elyphauntes and large Unicorns.  
Bugles, Bulls, and many great griffon,  
Forged of brass of copper and laton.  
That cruelly by signs of their faces,  
Upon their soon made fell menaces.  
Barbycans and also bulwark huge,  
Afore the town made for high refuge,  
When need should be early and eke late.  
And portekoles strong at every gate.  
That of assaults they need take no charge,  
And the locks thick broad and large.  
Of all the gates well wrought of shining brass.  
And eke within the mighty shytting was,  
Of iron bars strong square and round.  
And great bars pitched in the ground,  
With huge chains forged for diffence.  
Which ne would break for no violence.  
That hard it was through them for to win.  
And every house that builded was within,  
Every palace and every mansyowne,  
Of marble were throughout all the town.  
Of crafty building & working most royal.  
And the height was of every wall,  
Sixty cubytes from the ground accounted.  
And there was none that other hath surmounted.  
In the City but of one height aliche,  
In very sooth both of poor and rich.  
That it was hard of high estate or low,  
House or palace a sunder for to know.  
So equally of timber and of stone,  
Their houses were raised everichone.  
And if I should rehersen by and by.  
The corn knots by craft of masonry,  
The fresh enbowing with verges right as lines  
And the housing full of backewines,  
The rich coining the lusty tablementes,  
Vinettes ronning in casementes,  
Though the terms in English wolden rhyme,  
To show them all I have as now no time.  
Ne yet language picked for the nonce,  
To tell the subtle joining of the stones,  
Nor how they put in stead of mortere,  
In the jointures copper guilt full clear.  
To make them join by level and by line,  
Among the marble freshly for to shine.  
Against he son when his sheen light,  
Smote on the gold that was burned bright.  
To make the work glister on every side,  
And of this town the streets large & wide.  
Were by craft so prudently provided,  
And by workmen set so and divided,  
That wholesome air amids might inspire,  
early on morrow to them that it desire,  
And zephirus that is so comfortable,  
For to nourish things that been vegetable,  
In time of year throughout every street,  
With sugared savour lusty and so sweet,  
Most pleasantly in the air 'gan smite,  
The Citezeynes only to delight.  
And with his breath them to recomfort,  
When they list walk themself to disport.  
And through the town with crafty purveyance,  
By great avise and discrete ordinance,  
By compass cast and squared out by squires,  
Of pullished marble upon strong pillars,  
devised were long large and wide,  
Of every street in the fronter side,  
Fresh allures with lusty high pinnacles,  
And mounstring outward costly tabernacles.  
Vaunted above like to reclynatoryes,  
That called were deambulatoryes.  
Men to walk togethers twain and twain,  
To keep them dry when it happened to rain,  
Or them to save fro tempest wind or thunder  
If that them list shroud themselves there under  
And every house covered was with lead,  
And many gargoyle and many hideous head,  
With spouts thorough & pipes as they aught  
From the stone work to the canell reached.  
Voiding filths low into the ground,  
Through grates made of iron pierced round.  
The streets paved both in length and breed,  
In cheker wise with stones white and read.  
And every craft that any manner man,  
In any land devise or reckon can,  
King Pryamus of high discretion,  
Ordained hath to dwell in the town.  
And in streets severed here and yonder,  
everich from other to be set a sunder.  
That they might for there more commodity,  
Each by himself work at his liberty.  
¶ goldsmiths first and rich jewelleres,  
And by themself crafty brouderers,  
Wevers also of woollen and of line,  
Of cloth of gold damask and satin.  
Of velvet sendell and double samyt eke,  
And everich cloth that men list to seek.  
smiths also that coulden forge weal,  
Pole-axes, swords, and spears sharp of steel.  
Darts daggers for to maim and wound,  
And quarelheades sharp & square yground.  
There were also crafty armerers,  
Makers of bows and also these fletchers,  
And such as could make shafts plain.  
And other eke that did their busy pain,  
For the were to make also trappures,  
Banners beat and royal cote armours,  
And by divers Standards and penouns,  
And for the field fresh and gay getouns.  
And every craft that may reckoned be,  
To tell shortly was in this City.  
And through this town so rich & excellent,  
In the mids a large river went,  
Causing to them full great commodity.  
The which on twain hath parted the City.  
Of course full swift with fresh streams clear,  
And height Xantus as Guydo doth us lere.  
And as I read that upon this flood,  
On each a side many a mill stood.  
When need was their grain & corn to grind,  
Them to sustain in story as I find.  
This river eke of fish full plenteous,  
Divided was by workmen curious,  
So craftily through casting sovereign,  
That in his course the streams might attain,  
For to areche as Guydo doth conject,  
By arches strong his course for to reflect.  
Through condite pipes large & wide withal,  
By certain means artificial,  
That it though made a full purgation,  
Of all ordure and filths in the town.  
Washing the streets as they stood a row,  
And the gutters in the earth be low.  
That in the City was no filth yseen,  
For the cavil scoured was so clean.  
And eke devoided in so secret wise,  
That no man might espy or devise,  
By what engine the filths far nor near,  
Were borne away by course of the river.  
So covertly every thing was coured.  
Whereby the town was utterly assured,  
From engendering of all corruption.  
From wicked air and from infexion,  
That cause oft by their violence,  
Mortality and great pestilence.  
And by example of this flood there was,  
Made tybre at Rome and wrought by Aeneas  
The which also departeth Rome a two.  
Mine author saith. I note if it be so.  
And tenhabite this royal chief City,  
King Priam hath about in each country.  
Made for to search with all his hole intent,  
And in provinces that were adjacent,  
In boroughs towns and in smales villages,  
Ygathred had out of all manner ages,  
And of thropes' folks full divers,  
Of such as were vacant and disperse,  
About Troy in any region,  
He made hath to enter into town.  
Great multitude what of young and old.  
It tenhabyte as ye have heard me told.  
And those that were afore to him foreynes,  
He hath in Troy made them Citezeynes,  
Full discreetly like as it is found.  
And when they 'gan with people to abound,  
King Priamus of high affectiowne,  
After the building of this mighty town,  
Hath in his heart caught a fantasy,  
His new City for to magnify,  
And it to put the more in remembrance,  
He fully cast to do some observance,  
To mighty Mars stern and fierce of hew.  
And specially with certain plays new,  
On horse and foot in many sundry wise,  
To give his men in knighthood exercise.  
everich to put other at assay.  
In jousts lists and also in tourney.  
To prove their force when they hap to meet,  
The which plays were founded first in Crete  
And in that land of high and low estate,  
In Martyrs honour they were dedicated.  
And in palastre on wakes on the night,  
Were other plays as men tassaye their might,  
Only on foot with many subtle point,  
And some of them were naked and enjoint,  
To win a prise they did their full intent.  
And there was found by clerks full prudent  
Of the chess the play most glorious,  
Which is so sotill and so marvelous,  
That it were hard the matter to describe.  
For though a man studied all his live.  
He shall aye find divers fantasies,  
Of wards making and new inparties,  
There is therein so great diversity,  
And it was first found in this City.  
During the siege like as saith Guydo,  
But jacobus de vitriaco,  
Is contrary in his opinion.  
For like as he maketh plainly mention,  
And affirmeth at full in his advise,  
How Philometer a philosopher wise,  
Unto a king to stint his cruelty,  
Found first this play and made it in Chaldee.  
And into Grece from thence it was sent.  
Also in Troy by great advisement,  
The play was found first of dice & tables,  
And casting the chances deceyvables,  
That cause have been full oft of great debate,  
For if that one be now found fortunate,  
To win a while by favour of his chance,  
Or he be ware with sudden variance,  
Unhappily he is put clean a back.  
And other folk that stood upon the wrack,  
And by their loss were plunged in distress,  
They raised have in haste to high richesse.  
Gladness of one is to an other rage,  
A devant of hazard and passage.  
If one have joy another suffereth woe,  
Like as the bones ronnen to and fro,  
An hundred sith in a day they vary.  
Now blandyshing & now they be contrary,  
No man with them assured is in joy.  
¶ And first also I read how that in Troy,  
Were song and red many fresh comedies,  
And other ditties that called been tragedies.  
And to declare shortly in sentence,  
Of both two the final difference.  
¶ A comedy hath in his ginning,  
A prime face a manner complaining,  
And afterward endeth in gladness.  
And it the deeds only doth express,  
Of such as be in poverty plunged low.  
¶ But tragedy who so list to know,  
It still beginneth in prosperity,  
And endeth likewise by adversity.  
And it doth also of the conquest treat,  
Of rich kings and of lords great.  
Of mighty men and old conquerors,  
Which by fraud of fortunes sudden showers,  
Be over cast and whelmed from their glory.  
And whilom thus was hallowed the memory,  
Of tragedies as books maken mind.  
When they were red and song as I find.  
¶ In the theatre there was a small altar,  
amids set that was half Circular,  
Which into East of custom was direct,  
Upon the which a Pulpit was erect,  
And therein stood an ancient poet,  
For to rehearse by rethorykes sweet,  
The noble deeds that were historical.  
Of kings & princes for memorial.  
And of these old worthy Emperors,  
The great emprise eke of conquerors.  
And how they gate in Martes high honour,  
The lawrer green for fine of their labour.  
The palm of knighthod disserued by old date  
Or Parchas made them passen into fate.  
¶ And after that with cheer and face pale,  
With style inclined 'gan to turn his tale,  
And for to sing after all their lose,  
Full mortally the stroke of Attropose.  
And tell also for all their worthy head,  
The sudden breaking of their lives thread.  
How piteously they made their mortal end,  
Through false fortune that all the world will shende.  
And how the fine of all their worthiness,  
Ended in sorrow and in high tristesse.  
By compassing of fraud or false treason,  
By sudden murder or vengeance of poison.  
Or conspiring of freting false envy,  
How unwarely that they dydden die,  
And how their renown & their mighty fame,  
Was of hatred suddenly made lame.  
And how their honour dawnward 'gan decline,  
And the mischief of their unhappy fine.  
And how fortune was to them unsweet,  
All this was told and read of the Poet.  
And while that he in the pulpit stood,  
With deadly face all devoid of blood,  
Singing his ditties with muses all to rend,  
Amid the theatre shrouded in a tent,  
There came out men gastfull of their cheers,  
disfigured their faces with viseres,  
Playing by signs in the people's sight.  
That the Poet song hath on height,  
So that there was no manner discordance,  
atween his ditties and their countenance.  
¶ For like as he a loft did express,  
Words of joy or of heaviness,  
Meaning and cheer beneath of them playing,  
From point to point was always answering.  
Now triste, now glad, now heavy, & now light,  
And face ychaunged with a sudden sight.  
So craftily they could them transfygure.  
Conforming them to the chante plure.  
Now to sing and suddenly to weep,  
So well they could their observances keep.  
And this was done in Apryll and in May,  
When blossoms new both on bush and hay,  
And flowers fresh gynne for to spring.  
And the birds in the wood sing.  
With lust surprised of the summer son,  
When these plays in Troy were begun,  
And in the theatre hallowed and yholde.  
And thus the rites of tragedies old,  
Pryamus the worthy king began,  
Of this matter no more tell I can.   

But I will forth of this story write,  
And on my matter boistously indite,  
How Pryamus was passing diligent,  
Right desirous and inwardly fervent,  
If so he might among his works all,  
Do build a palace and a rich hall.  
Which should be his chose chief dungyon.  
His royal see and sovereign mansion.  
And when he 'gan to his work approach,  
He made it build high upon a roche.  
It for to assure in his foundation,  
And called it the noble Ylion.  
The sight of which justly circular,  
By compass cast round as any sphere.  
And who that would the content of the ground  
Truly account of this place round,  
In the theatre first he must entre,  
taking the line that carueth through the centre.  
By geometry as longeth to that art.  
And trebled it with the seventh part,  
He find might by experience,  
The measure hole of the circumference.  
What land also plainly eke with all,  
Contained was within the strong wall.  
The crest of which in place where lowest was,  
Vpreysed was full two hundred pace.  
builded of marble full royal and full strong.  
And many other rich stone among,  
Whose towers were raised up so high,  
And who that list by greces up ascended,  
He there might see in his inspection,  
The fair bounds of many region,  
And provinces that stood round about.  
And the walls within and eke without,  
endlong were with knots graven clean,  
depaint with azure, gold, cinople, & green.  
That verily when so the son shone,  
Upon the gold meynt among the stone,  
They gave a light withouten any were,  
As doth Apollo in his midday sphere.  
And all the windows and each fenestrall,  
Wrought were of beryle & of clear crystal.  
¶ And high amids this noble Ylion,  
So rich and passing of foundation,  
Which clerks yet in their books praise,  
King Priam made an hall for to raise.  
Excelling all in beauty and in strength,  
The latitude according with the length,  
And of marble outward was the wall,  
And the timber noble in special,  
Was half of cedar as I rehearse can,  
And the remnant of the rich Heban.  
Which most is able as I dare specify,  
With stone to join by craft of carpentrye.  
For they of timber have the sovereignty.  
And for to tell of this Heban tree,  
Like in books soothly as I find,  
It cometh out of Ethiop and ynde.  
Black as is jet and it will wax anon,  
When it is corn as hard as any stone.  
And evermore last will and endure,  
And not corrupt with water nor moisture.  
And of this hall further to define,  
With stones square by level and by line,  
It paved was with full great diligence,  
Of masonry and passing excellence,  
And all above raised was a see,  
Full curyously of stones and perre.  
That called was as chief and principal,  
Of the reign the seat most royal.  
Tofore which was set by great delight,  
A board of Heban and of ivory white.  
So equally yjoined and so clean,  
That in the work there was no rift yseen.  
And sessions were made on every side,  
Only the states by order to divide.  
Eke in the hall as it was convenable,  
On each party was a dormaunt table,  
Of yveree eke and of this Heban tree.  
And even again this kings royal see,  
In the party that was thereto contrary.  
Yraysed was by many crafty stair,  
High in the hall in the other site,  
Right as line in the opposytr,  
Of pured metal and of stones clear,  
In breed and length a full rich aultere.  
On which there stood of figure and visage,  
Of massy gold a wonderful image,  
As to be honoured in that high seat,  
Only in name of jupiter the great.  
¶ And the statue for all his huge weight,  
fifteen cubits compleyt was of height.  
A crown of gold high upon his head,  
With heavenvly sapphires & many ruby red,  
Fret environ with other stones of Ind,  
And amongs were meddled as I find,  
white peerless massy large and round.  
And for most chief all dirkenesse to confound,  
A Carbuncle was set as king of stones all,  
To recomfort and gladden all the hall.  
And it to enlumine in the black night,  
With the freshness of his ruddy light.  
The value was thereof inestimable,  
And the riches plainly incomparable.  
For this image by division,  
Was of shape and of proportion,  
From head to foot so maysterly entailed,  
That in a point the workman hath not failed,  
It to perform by crafty excellence.  
Whom Priamus with dread and reverence,  
Honoured hath above the gods all,  
In all mischief him to clepe and call.  
For in him was his hole affection,  
His sovereign trust and chief devotion.  
His hope also and his affiance,  
His wealth his joy and his assurance.  
And his welfare and his prosperity,  
He hath committed to his deyte.  
weening in heart wonder sickerly,  
To be assured from all mischief thereby.  
And diffended in each adversity,  
And hold his reign in high felicity.  
And in honour continually to shine,  
While jupiter through his power divine,  
Him and his hath in protection.  
This was his trust and full opinion.  
And thus this work to the end achieved,  
Whereof Priam with joy full relieved.  
That he his City and noble Ilium,  
Hath fully brought unto perfection,  
Like his intent when he thereof began.  
And thus Priam this king this worthy man  
Full many a day in this new Troy,  
With his lieges lad his lief in joy,  
Where I him leave in his royal seat,  
Soveraygnly reigning in quiet.  
proceeding forth if so ye list to hear,  
Unto the effect anon of my matter.    

¶ How king Pryan send Antenor into Grece to have restored again his sister Action. Ca xii.  

O Hateful harm which most is for to dread  
Kindled so long o spark of old hatred  
Root and debate ground of envy and ire,  
With new flawme hearts for to fire.  
O grain of malice causer of all offence,  
Of rancour rusted of impatience.  
Which hast of new made festered sores smart,  
When thou art ones raked in an heart.  
Which for disdain of mercy mayst not let,  
A man no while to live as in quiet.  
But deluest up malice manifold,  
Debates new that buried were of old.  
And falsely quyckest strifes to restore,  
That envious serpent that was slain of yore,  
Which felly hath this addre envious,  
Out of his rest awaked Pryamus.  
And with his venom so piercing and so ille,  
Made him weary to live a life tranquille.  
And moved him of his iniquity,  
Upon the Greeks avenged for to be.  
For where as he in peace held his reign,  
With his lieges in joy sovereign,  
Without annoy or any perturbance,  
This serpent hath with new remembrance,  
Without advise or discrete areste,  
So hot a flawme kindled in his breast,  
Of old envy with fresh rancour meynte,  
That likely is never to be quaint.  
For Priam's now in his entenciowne,  
Cast and compasseth revolving up & down,  
How strong he was of riches and main,  
How noble and mighty was his new City,  
And abundant shortly to conclude,  
Both of plenty and of multitude,  
Of men of arms and of chivalry.  
Which steered him to have a fantasy.  
Alas the while to his unhappy chance,  
That to be dead he take will vengeance,  
Upon his soon the fire of hot envy,  
So brent him inward by melancholy.  
Standing in purpose that no man change may,  
Of his damages avenged be some day.  
And of injuries that they on him have wrought.  
¶ And when that he had a time out sought,  
To his purpose most convenient.  
Anon he hath for all his lords sent.  
And his knights called everichone,  
To come in haste excused was not one.  
Namely of them that were of high degree.  
And they obeying with all humylitye,  
His bidding holy and made no delay,  
To come echeone again a certain day,  
And his sons were also tho present,  
Hector except that was that time absent.  
In the strong and mighty region,  
Of Panomye which in subjection,  
King Priam held through his worthiness,  
And to amend things and redress,  
Hector was gone into this Panomye.  
Certain causes for to justify.  
As in his reason he thought for the best,  
To settle them in quiet and in rest.  
For he was aye so just and so prudent,  
So well advised and so patient,  
And so demeaned in his governance,  
That him was loath for to do vengeance,  
Where as he might in easy wise treat.  
For to reform things small and great.  
For loath he was this noble worthy knight,  
For any haste to execute unright.  
Or causeless by rigour to condemn.  
And in this while full worthy and solemn,  
King Priamus of lords great and small,  
Within Troy held a court royal,  
As he that list for no cost to spare.  
And seriously his meaning to declare,  
He in his see his lords environ,  
'Gan to show his hearts intention.  
¶ O worthy lords assembled here present,  
Faithful and true of heart and of intent.  
It is well known to your discretion,  
The great damages and foul oppression,  
Which that the Greeks have upon us wrought  
Without cause for a thing of nought,  
This other day as who sayeth yet but late.  
That as I trow so new is yet the date,  
That it is fresh remembered in your mind,  
Unto your blood if so that ye be kind.  
For I suppose no forgetfulness,  
May put away the mortal heaviness,  
Of harms old which aye renew again.  
As in my mind I say you in certain.  
And as I trow plainly in your thought,  
It yet is green and ne dieth nought,  
How they have slain our old progenitors,  
That whilom were so noble werreours.  
Our city brent and brought unto ruin,  
And rob it falsely by ravin,  
And turned all into wilderness,  
And into Grece carried our richesse.  
My father slain that height Lamedon,  
Without cause or just occasion.  
And reached from him his gold & his treasure,  
Which as me seemeth is a foul error.  
We might of right amends well challenge,  
And eke desire to be fully avenge,  
Afore the gods of full high offence,  
Only of reason and of conscience.  
And passing all their mortal cruelty.  
There is one thing that most grieveth me,  
That they ungodly against all gentilesse,  
Without regard as to the worthiness,  
To the birth ne the royal blood,  
Of her that is so fair and eke so good,  
I mean my sister called Exyon.  
Whom they alas to their confusion,  
Disuse and keep not like to her degree,  
From day to day in such dishonesty,  
Where through her honour & her name is lorn  
Considering nought of what stock she was born  
For they are blind for to take heed,  
Or to advert the root of her kindred,  
Of surquidrye they be so indurate.  
And sith that she borne of so high estate,  
Ytreated is like as ye may see,  
We may conject that those of low degree,  
Governed be passing dishonestly.  
For ye may think and demen truly,  
How wives and maidens in that company,  
With other eke that be of your ally,  
Yhaunted be and used at their lust.  
On the Greeks I have no better trust.  
For they ne spare neither blood nor age,  
And thus they live in torment & servage.  
Without ruth mercy or pity.  
The which toucheth you as well as me.  
And as me seemeth of equity and of right,  
Ye ought eachone with all your full might,  
Of the wrongs with which ye be offended,  
To seek a way how it might be amended.  
And that we work all by one assent,  
And sins proceed like to our intent.  
Of their malice and cursed cruelty,  
All at once avenged for to be.  
And that we be in heart will and thought,  
Of one accord and ne vary nought.  
For than our force is doubled and pouste,  
For right and reason and good equity,  
Require vengeance on him that doth the wrong,  
Though it so be we differre it long.  
I trust also the god's rightwiseness,  
That they shall help our harms to redress.  
And favour us in our innocence,  
To chastise them that wrought this offence.  
¶ Also ye know how that this our City,  
Is strong mighty and of great surety.  
With towers high & walled for the were,  
That also far as shineth son or star,  
There is none like for to reckon all.  
That may in force be thereto peregall.  
Ye know also as it shall eft be found,  
With chivalry how that we abound,  
Except in arms and of old assayed,  
That yet for dread never were dismayed.  
And we have plenty also of victual.  
Of friendship eke that ne will us fail,  
With all their might to do to us secure.  
Wherefore I read without more soiour,  
To set upon them sith we be well able,  
And time is now me seemeth covenable,  
For manhood bid to make no more delay,  
To venge a wrong hap what so ever may,  
For in differing is oft drawn in damage,  
To work in time is double advantage.  
For to our purpose lacketh never a deal,  
And through our manhood we be assured well,  
But that we be not hold to hasty,  
Or to rakell to worken wilfully.  
And were also stant in adventure,  
For aye of Mart doubtous is the eure.  
I read first to Greeks that we send,  
To wit if they our harms will amend,  
Without strife were or more debate.  
Then may we say that we be fortunate.  
And if they be contrary of reason,  
To condescend to this conclusion,  
To grant our asking of equity and right,  
Then have we cause for to prove our might.  
But are that we proceden by rigour,  
We shall assay them first measure,  
As far as right and reason eke reqire.  
And of disdain if them list not here.  
Than our quarrel devoid of wilfulness,  
Yrooted is upon good sickerness.  
And if that we of their great offence,  
Demand amends first in patience,  
God and fortune I hope will not assent,  
That in the end we should the same repent.  
And it is better by peace to have redress,  
Than begin a were without aviseness.  
Therefore let us our woeful adventure,  
Patiently aye suffer and endure.  
And in our port both humble be & plain,  
Till they to us their answer send again.  
For though so be in mine entention,  
I meaved am by just occasion,  
In Irous sort proceeding to vengeance,  
I will put all out of remembrance,  
And let slide by forgetfulness,  
The wrongs do and void all heaviness,  
Toward greeks and axe of them no more,  
But that they will Exiona restore.  
To us again which is to me most dear,  
Only to stint hatred debate and were.  
For the surplus of our mortal eure,  
We shall dessymule and prudently endure,  
Our harms old forth in patience.  
If ye accord unto my sentence.  
say here upon as ye be full advised.  
For if this sonde be of them despised,  
And that them list to reason not obey,  
Than we may justly seek another way,  
To have redress for now there is no more.  
Save I purpose to senden Anthenore,  
Which is a man discrete and well avysee,  
And specially in matter of treatee,  
For he is both wise and eloquent,  
As ye well know and passingly prudent.  
And when the king had told his tale anon,  
To his counsel they consent eachone,  
That Antenor this journey undertake.  
And he in haste 'gan him ready make,  
Without abode and will not once deny,  
To take on him this ambassadry,  
Full well advised in his discretion,  
Took or he went information,  
From point to point of this great charge,  
For he him cast to stand at his large,  
Without error as he that could his good,  
For he theffect full plainly understood,  
And every thing he printed in his thought,  
Or that he went & hath forgot right nought.  
For of a word he cast him not to fail,  
To ship he goth and began to sail,  
And in short time he and his company,  
arrived be up into thessaly,  
At a city called Monosyus,  
Where by fortune was king peleus,  
The same time and Antenor anon,  
Unto the king the right way is gone.  
Of whom he was as Guydo hath conceived,  
At prime face right benignly received.  
But when he knew the cause of his coming,  
He bade in haste without more tarrying,  
To Antenor with a fell visage,  
Shortly to say theffect of his message.   

THis Trojan knight atoned never adel,  
But full demure and advised well,  
Not to hasty nor rakle for to say,  
But abiding with look and face plain,  
To peleus with a manly cheer,  
Said in effect right thus as ye shall here.  
¶ The worthy king called Pryamus,  
So wise, so noble, so manly and famous,  
And of knighthod passing excellent.  
Hath first to you in goodly wise seyt,  
Out of Troy his royal chief Eitie,  
His full intent and message here by me,  
As I shall say to you in words plain.  
If it so be that ye not disdain,  
Patiently to give audience.  
Remembering first in your advertence,  
Of the harms not full long ago,  
And the wrongs that ye wrought also,  
Full cruelly with other eke of yours,  
In Troy land on his progenitors.  
What injuries and what destruction,  
Causeless without any occasion,  
Ye showed have of very cruelty,  
And merciless destroyed his City.  
Slain his father named Lamedowne,  
And his city brent and beat adown,  
And neither left palace house nor tour,  
And lad away his richesse and treasure,  
And neither spared as I rehearse can,  
In your slaughter woman child nor man.  
There might none from your sword astart.  
And yet one thing that most he hath at heart,  
That his sister called Exyon,  
Is hold and kept of king Thelamon,  
Dishonestly again all gentry.  
To great dishonour and great villainty,  
Of her kindred like as ye may see.  
Treated nor cherished like to her degree.  
Wherefore sith ye be so wise a knight,  
Ye ought advert and to have a sight,  
To such things of just affection.  
And consider in your discretion,  
Of gentleness and of equity,  
How such wrongs might amended be.  
Wherefore Priam of great aviseness,  
As he that fully with all his business,  
Of heart and will desireth peace and rest,  
Sendeth to you beseeching for the best,  
That ye will do your busy diligence,  
To make to him this little recompense.  
That he may have the restitution,  
Through your knightly mediation,  
Of his sister withouten longer space.  
And the remnant he will let pace,  
Strife and were only to eschew.  
For he desireth fully for to sew,  
Peace and quiet of hole affection.  
And to pursue measure and reason.  
And finally like as ye may see,  
All occasion of were for to i'll,  
Consider this that held be so sage,  
For this the fine fully of my message.  
¶ When peleus him plainly understood,  
Of sudden ire in heart he waxed wood,  
Of cheer and look fell and furious.  
And of rancour right melancolyus.  
That he ne might attempre nor appease,  
The hasty fire that 'gan his heart seize.  
For he anon in full despitous wise,  
'Gan Pryamus threaten and despise,  
And of malice set his fond at nought,  
With all the means that Antenor hath sought.  
And 'gan also this Trojan knight menace,  
And bad in haste that he avoid his place,  
Upon peril that after fall might.  
And he anon went out of his sight.  
And in all haste he and his meynee,  
Without abode taken have the see.  
And 'gan to saylen out of thessaly,  
And in their way so fast they 'gan them high,  
That in short time they arrived be,  
Up at Salerne a mighty strong City.  
Where by fortune in this royal town,  
This Antenor fond king Thelamowne,  
And to his palace he hath the way nome.  
And first I find that when he was come,  
He was accepted unto his presence,  
benignly without all offence,  
For Exyone was present in that tide.  
Of adventure standing by his side.  
And at reverence of her womanhood,  
Of Antenor he took the better heed.  
Albe of custom that king Thelamon,  
Had high despite and indignation,  
Of every Trojan that he could espy.  
For specially to them he had envy.  
Of rancour only through the bitter rage,  
Which in his heart might never yet assuage.  
But for all that he in patience,  
To Antenor hath given audience,  
The which anon in full sober wise,  
His tail 'gan as I shall devise.  
¶ Sir quod he with support of your grace,  
So ye me grant opportune space,  
For to declare the cause of my coming,  
I will rehearse without more tarrying,  
My matter hole briefly in sentence.  
To make it couth to your magnificence.  
Signifying without displeasance,  
That Priamus which hath the governance,  
Of Troy town hath unto you sent,  
Of faithful meaning and of clean intent,  
Beseeching first to your goodlyheade,  
All other wrongs forgotten and eke dead,  
That ye only of your high noblesse,  
Of equity and of gentleness,  
Ye will restore Exyona again.  
Which that ye hold to speak in words plain,  
In very sooth not like to her estate.  
Wherefore he prayeth to stinten all debate.  
And every harm to put from memory,  
Of knightly honour for your own glory,  
To send her home and make deliverance,  
Goodly of her withouten variance.  
Whom ye have hold so many long days,  
Ne tarrieth not nor setteth no delays,  
Ne let in you be founden any sloth.  
For soothfastly it is to great a ruth,  
As to record how ye have her abused,  
It may of truth not goodly be excused.  
Which we shall let lightly overslyde,  
So that ye benignly list provide,  
To send her home like as I have said.  
Lo here the charge that was on me laid,  
Without more abiding in certain,  
What goodly answer ye will send again.  
¶ When Thelamon hearkened had his tail,  
For hasty ire he 'gan to wexen pale.  
The fiery colour hath him made so wood,  
That from his face availed is the blood,  
Within his heart and 'gan to frete and bite.  
With look askoye and turned up the white.  
Of high disdain with face despitous,  
With pale smiling and laughter furious.  
'Gan rake out the fearful mortal fire,  
Of fretting hate that brent in his desire.  
And shortly made in conclusion,  
To Antenor put this ilke objection,  
And said friend what ever that thou be,  
I wonder greatly for marvel is to me,  
What adventure or sudden new thing,  
Vnprudently moveth now thy king,  
Unto me to make such a sonde.  
Thou were a fool when so thou took on hand,  
Either unhappy or else infortunate,  
To me to bring this proud embassete.  
For I with him will nothing have a do,  
Nor he with me and look thou say him so.  
For we ne be aqueynted but a light,  
Nor I nothing platly me delight,  
At short words if thou list to hear,  
To do for him nor ought at his prayer.  
For I ne have delight joy ne feast,  
To do the thing whereof he maketh request.  
This wot I well that but a while a go,  
I was at Troy myself and other more.  
For to reform a thing that was amiss.  
Through your offence shortly thus it is.  
For certain thing wrought by Lamedowne,  
And by our manhood wonnen there the town.  
And slew the king & all that with him held,  
In knightly wise him meeting in the field.  
And for that I as every man might see,  
Did jeopardy first to enter that city,  
It was to me granted for memory,  
In only sign of mine high victory,  
Withouten any contradiction,  
By all the Greeks to have possession,  
Of her that is to me the most enter,  
Exiona whom now thou claymest here.  
But be well siker thine ask is in vain.  
For trust me this & be right well certain,  
Thou gettest her not at one word if I may.  
For there shall first be made full great affray.  
Or I her leave during all my live.  
Who ever grudge or there against strive.  
It were not sitting me to leave her so,  
For whom I had whilom so great a do.  
Or I her got with spending of me blood.  
For who so wroth be therewith or wood,  
I will her keep as it shall be found,  
For whom I had so many mortal wound.  
At Troy town or that I her thence won.  
And in good faith as far forth as I can,  
She shall not lightly fro my hands pace.  
For she alone so standeth in my grace,  
For her beauty and her semelyheade,  
For of her bounty and her godlyheade,  
That if I shall my reason shortly fine,  
She is in sooth the most feminine,  
That ever I saw and without dread,  
Of port & cunning and of womanhood,  
She hath alone in very existence,  
The sovereignty and perfect excellence.  
That Priamus for aught that thou can say,  
While that I live getteth her not again.  
But he her buy with many deadly wound.  
With sharp swords & square spears ground.  
For there shall first be raised such a strife,  
That it shall cost many man's life,  
Or she to him again restored be.  
Take this forsooth thou gettest no more of me.  
And when him list he may well begin,  
But I suppose he shall but little win.  
None otherwise but as I have the told.  
And wottest thou what a great fool I the hold,  
The to put thyself so far in jeopardy,  
To execute this his ambassadry.  
The manly Greeks so boldly to offend.  
Beware therefore that he no more the send.  
Upon thyself for rancour nor for pride.  
Now go thy way for if that thou abide,  
Any longer soothly in my sight,  
Thou wottest the prise that I have the height,  
Thou scapest not who that be lief or loath.  
Than Antenor anon to ship he goth.  
And forth saileth him list not to delay,  
Toward an isle that called is Achaye.  
And when that he taken hath the land,  
At his rival of adventure he fond,  
The worthy kings Pollux and Castor.  
And right anon this Trojan Antenor,  
Without abode to the court is fare,  
Unto them his message to declare.  
And together when they were present,  
Right thus he said as in sentement.  
¶ The noble king of Troy the city,  
Hath unto you sent his will by me.  
Beseeching you in full low manner,  
That she vouchsafe as unto his prayer,  
Of equity for to condescend,  
And goodly help a certain wrong to mend.  
Touching his sister called Action,  
That he may have restitution,  
Of her again by your discrete advise.  
For sith ye be so manly and so wise,  
It likely is in his opinion,  
That ye by your good mediation,  
May easily again restored be.  
For to cherish peace and unity.  
Wherefore he prayeth with all his heart enter,  
In goodly wise to done your devere,  
That hold been so knightly and so sage,  
And he will plainly all the surplusage,  
Of wrongs old put as in suspense.  
For he desireth of knightly high prudence,  
To stint war and to nourish peace.  
For he is neither rakle nor reckless.  
But evil advised in his works all,  
To cast afore what that shall after fall.  
And things future adverting from a far,  
And seeth what peril that there is in were.  
Will him conform unto peace and rest,  
For he conceiveth that it is the best.  
For every man unite to sew,  
And prudently also to eschew,  
Of all debates the hole full occasion.  
Lo here the fine of this entention,  
Which I commit unto your judgement.  
¶ This Castor then of ire impatient,  
For hastiness ne might not abide,  
His cruel heart so swollen was with pride.  
Broke out anon with right despiteous face,  
And said friend I know of no trespass,  
That ever greeks did unto thy king,  
To axe amends it is a wonder thing.  
Of us that never did him none offence.  
Save that we made a manner recompense,  
Of a wrong wrought by Lamedon.  
The which fist sought occasion,  
Against greeks in ungodly wise,  
That caused us upon him though to rise,  
All at ones and manly on him set,  
Of due right for to quite our debt.  
Like his desert we have him plainly served,  
And nothing wrought but as he hath deserved  
To axe amends he gineth now to late.  
For we covet more his mortal hate,  
His utter malices and his enmity,  
Then other peace accord or unite.  
As in effect hereafter he shall feel,  
If so he dare hereafter with us deal.  
The bargain shall full dear been about,  
And we his petition soothly set at nouhgt.  
And overmore I speak now as to thee,  
It likely is as seemeth unto me,  
That Pryamus they loved but a light,  
Not as I think, the value of a mite,  
When he the sent forth on this message.  
And thou of folly didst great outrage,  
To take on the so high a perilous thing,  
Unto greeks to bringen such tiding.  
Where through thy life is put in inpartye.  
But I the counsel fast that thou the high▪  
Out of my sight lest that thou repent.  
¶ And Antenor forth to ship went,  
And with the wind 'gan to sail anon,  
Toward an isle that called was Pylon.  
And in all haste when he did aryve,  
He shope him forth to the court as blyve,  
Where duke Nestor in all manner thing,  
His household held royal as a king.  
And Antenor full sad and avysee,  
Tofore Nestor sitting on his see,  
When that he was admitted for to say,  
His tale he told full openly and plain.  
From point to point as ye heard afore,  
It were but vain for to rehearse it more.  
For he always concluded hath in one,  
As ye have herd touching Action.  
¶ But duke Nestor with face nothing red,  
But of hew of any ashes dead,  
Fret with colour so inwardly was he,  
That his blood from each extremity,  
Withdrawn is down allow unto his heart.  
Which for his ire so sore made him smart,  
That he 'gan quake in every joint and vain.  
That he his hand uneath may restrain,  
For melancholy a venged for to be.  
Like a Lion so wood and wroth was he.  
Fer from himself he was so alienate,  
And inwardly of rancour passyonate,  
With look reserved and furious of sight,  
That though to rule himself uneath he might,  
He felt of anger so great adversity,  
And sith amids of all his cruelty,  
Of sudden haste at ones he out broke,  
And even thus to Antenor he spoke.  
¶ O thou quoth he with all thy words white,  
As I suppose that thou wottest full light,  
Tofore whom thou haste thy tale told.  
For I marvel how thou art so bold,  
Thus to presume mine ears to offend.  
And for Priam so proudly to pretend.  
A manner title in thy kings name,  
The worthy greeks for to put in blame,  
And unjustly of foul hardiness.  
reqire of them for to have redress,  
Of Injuries wrought by Lamedon.  
Boldly affirming of false presumption,  
Upon greeks wronkes outrageous.  
Which in mine ears be so odious,  
So freting eke so biting and so keen,  
For to list that I may not sustain,  
In my hearing so hateful is the sown.  
That ner the honour of my high renown,  
Refrained me I should in cruel wise,  
Execute full hastily justice.  
Through the rigour of my mortal law,  
With beasts wild first to do the draw,  
And thereupon for thy feigned tale,  
Dismember the all on pieces small,  
In despite of Pryamus thy king.  
To teach other to bring more tiding,  
Presumptuously or any tales new,  
To any lord but he him better knew.  
Thus shouldest thou have for thy presumption,  
Thy last meed and final guerdon,  
Without mercy like as I have behyght.  
And in all hast bego out of my sight,  
For utterly it doth to great offence,  
Unto mine eye to have the in presence.  
For through disdain it causeth mine unrest.  
¶ Than Antenor thought as for the best,  
It was not wholesome longer to abide.  
But cast wisely for rancour or for pride,  
That it was best for to bear him fair,  
And to his ship he 'gan anon repayire,  
And in all haste by possybilitee,  
Without abode he taken hath the sea.  
And 'gan to sail and homeward fast draw,  
But suddenly to boylen 'gan the wawe,  
The seas to rise and the clouds black,  
For to appear and the wind a wake,  
Wonder gastfull also was the heaven,  
With dreadful fire of the bright leaven,  
The thunder smote. so 'gan the tempest drive,  
That top and mast asunder gineth rive.  
Now aloft and now in point to drown,  
The fell wether 'gan so on them frown,  
That nought they await but on the death.  
Even at the point of yielding up of the breath.  
For they ne saw none other remedy,  
Still among they 'gan to clepe and cry,  
Unto their gods and avows make,  
And devoutly for to undertake,  
Each of them as he was grown of age,  
If they escape to go on pilgrimage.  
Like the rites of their paynim wise,  
To the gods to do their sacrifice.  
So as they were of substance & of might,  
And suddenly the wether dark as night,  
With new light by grace 'gan adawe.  
The sea ware calm and smothen 'gan the wawe.  
So that of hap among everichone,  
For all the tempest perished not one.  
But tofore Troy within a little space,  
They be arrived everichone by grace,  
escaped safe from every ioypardye.  
Both Antenor and all his company.  
And to the temple he took the right way,  
And in his prayer there full long he lay.  
With many another also for his sake,  
Thanking their god's that listen so to slake,  
Every peril and tempest of the sea.  
And after this unto the king goeth he.  
That with his lords about him full royal,  
In his palace and dongyon principal,  
Sat and abode full solemnly.  
To hear report of this ambassadry.  
And this knight of all that hath him fall,  
Hath told the king tofore his lords all.   

THis Antenor hath first made mention,  
Tofore the king by just relation,  
Of his exploit by order by and by,  
And in what wise and how uncourteously,  
He was received of king peleus.  
Of the threats, and words despyteous,  
That he had suffered of king Thelamon,  
As fierce and cruel as a wood lion.  
And afterward he 'gan also complain,  
Of the despite of the brethren tawyne,  
Of his rebuke and his great dread,  
And at Nestor how he happened to speed,  
That with his life he might uneath escape,  
All this he told and 'gan an end make,  
Of his journey and eke of his repair.  
Whereby Priam was fully in despair,  
either by force or yet by adventure,  
That he his sister never might recure.  
For he conceiveth in his advertence,  
By clear report of expert evidence,  
That aye the more he was to them benign,  
The more ungodly again him they malinge.  
& where he showeth himself most debonair,  
There he againward fond them most contrary.  
So frowardly ever they them quite.  
Showing by signs that they set but light,  
By his friendship for aught he could advert.  
Whereof he was full sorrowful in heart,  
That he constrained right of very need,  
Was tho compelled justly to proceed,  
To have redress only by rigour:  
For proffered peace might have no favour.  
To be admitted by title of rightwiseness,  
Through high despite of hasty wilfulness.  
For every mean of measoure was in vain,  
Save only were engendered by disdain,  
Began and caused all of old hatred.  
Which 'gan anon such a broil to breed,  
Of new envy within the king his breast,  
That Priamus without more areste,  
So inly Irous and with rancour fret,  
And with disdain so sore ground & whet,  
That where so be that he must lose or win,  
Upon Greeks he will a were begin.  
And therein jeopardy manly as a knight,  
His life and death because he had right.  
And cast him first a navy for to send,  
In haste to Grece his foemen to offend.  
And like a knight his force there to haunt,  
In knightly wise he cast him for to daunt,  
The pomp of Greeks and the sturdiness,  
And finally their pride to oppress.  
¶ But say me Priam what infelycitye,  
What new trouble, what hap, what destiny,  
Or from above what hateful influence,  
Descended is by unware violence,  
To move the thus thou canst not live in peace.  
What sudden sort what fortune gracelese,  
What chance unhappy without aviseness,  
What wilful lust what fond hardiness,  
Have put thy soul out of tranquility,  
To make the weary of thy prosperity.  
What savourest thou in bitter more than sweet,  
That canst not live in peace nor in quiet.  
Thou art travailed with wilful motions,  
And over mastered with thy passions.  
For lack of reason and of high prudence,  
darked and blind from all providence.  
And full barren to cast afore and see,  
The harms following of thine adversity.  
Thou were to slow wisely to consider,  
For want of sight made the thus to slydre.  
Through mist of error falsely to forgive,  
By paths wrong from the right weigh.  
To void reason of wilful hastiness,  
Where was thy guide where was thy mistress,  
Discretion so prudent & so sad,  
Auysely that should the there have lad,  
From the traces of sensuality.  
Though it full seld in man's power be.  
By sufferance himself to refrain,  
When sudden ire doth his heart strain.  
thou shouldest afore better have cast thy chance  
Wrought by counsel & not put in balance,  
Thy sickerness alas why didst thou so.  
And have symuled some deal of the wo.  
And cast thy change well afore the prime,  
To have forgotten wrongs of old time.  
And thought afore as in thine advertence,  
That oft it falleth in experience,  
That whiles men do most their business,  
Vengeably old wrongs to redress,  
With double harm or that they beware,  
They fall again in a new snare.  
And damages that were forgotten clean,  
By false report of rumour fresh & green,  
Renewed be through the swift fame,  
That fleeth far to hurt a lords name.  
Namely when so they to a purpose wend,  
Only of head and not foresee the end.  
For of pride and of sudden heat,  
They void themself out of all quiet,  
Aduerting not to work advisedly,  
Nor the proverb that teacheth commonly,  
He that stand sure enhaste him not to move,  
For if he do it shall him after grieve.  
And he that walketh surely on the plain,  
Where if he stumble it is but in vain,  
unless so be he list of his folly,  
Be negligent to put him wilfully,  
In adventure and of himself to reach,  
To eschew peril I hold he be a wretch.  
For soothly Priam thou were to rechelese,  
For to commit thy quiet and the peace,  
So dreadfully during by no date,  
To cruel fortune or to fykell fate.  
Whose manner is of custom commonly,  
That when a man trusteth most suredly,  
Of this goddess blind and full unstable,  
Then she to him is most deceivable.  
Him to abate from his royal stalle,  
And suddenly doth make him down to fall.  
And with a trip throw him on the back,  
Who that gain striveth shall have little tack.  
She is so slily with her guileful snare,  
That she can make a man for his welfare,  
With her pantre that is with fraud englewed  
When he least weeneth for to be remewed.  
Therefore no man may hope affiance,  
In fortune's rule so full of variance.  
Ne let no wight his ease more juparte,  
Then he ne reck how she the game depart,  
To turn his chance either to well or woe,  
For seld in one she doth the game go.  
As ye may see example of Pryamus,  
That of his folly is so desirous,  
To work of head and follow so his will.  
That troubled is the calm of his tranquille.  
As in the book hereafter shallbe found,  
Him and his city platly to confound.  
And utterly to his confusion,  
That afterward by long succession,  
It shallbe red in story and in fable,  
And remembered with dities delightable.  
To do pleasance to them that shall it here,  
That by this sample they beware and lere,  
Of hasty lust or of rash voluntee,  
To begin a thing wherein no surety,  
Dependeth aye as strife were and debate.  
For in such play unwarely cometh check mate  
And harm ydone to late is to amend,  
Whose fine is oft other than they wend.  
In this story as ye shall after see,  
And let Priam alway your mirror be.  
Hasty error by times to correct,  
For I anon my poyntill will direct,  
After the manner of his traces rude,  
Of this story the remnant to conclude.   

THis worthy king ever of one sentence,  
Ay more and more fired with fervence,  
Hath his brevettes and his letters sent,  
For his lords to hold a parliament.  
And them commanded in all the hast they may  
To come anon at their assigned day.  
From every ward and party of the town,  
For to assemble in noble Ilyowne.  
Chief of his reign & when they were eachone  
With him present this noble king anon,  
Tofore them all as shortly as he can,  
His will declareth and thus he than began.  
¶ Sires quoth he because ye be so wise,  
It needeth not long process to devise,  
For to rehearse of your coming the cause,  
But for to tell shortly in a clause,  
What I mean and maketh no more delay.  
Ye wot how I now this other day,  
Sent into Grece by counsel of you all,  
A knight of mine that Antenor is call.  
To have recured Exiona again,  
Whose message though was not but in vain.  
For of greeks full uncourteously,  
He was received and dispyteously,  
Threte and rebuked in point to have be dead.  
uneath he might escape with his head.  
They put on him such high offence & blame,  
That much redoundeth to our alder shame.  
And day by day it must increase the more,  
But we ordain some remedy therefore.  
For there as we all measure have them offered,  
They have to us were and strife yprofred.  
Of high despite of rancour and of heat,  
And of malices cruelly us threat.  
And where as we would peace of them purchase,  
For wrongs done they felly us menace.  
And for the harms that they have to us wrought.  
They not purpose plainly in their thought,  
Other redress nor amends make.  
But utterly with were us to awake.  
Whose joy is fully increase of our grievance  
So would god they were with repentance.  
contrite in heart to stinten all mischief,  
That likely is to fall and eke the grief,  
On other part that it might over slide.  
But they alas with rancour & with pride,  
Are swelled of new to threaten more and more.  
But god defend half deal of the sore,  
By infortune that ever should be fall,  
As they purpose to every of us all.  
But sith they have devised thus for us,  
We must resist their will malicious,  
Through might of god as of necessity,  
In our defence it will none other be.  
And best I hold unto our intent,  
To work and do all by one assent.  
So we our purpose soonest shall achieve,  
Where is discord there may no quarrel prove.  
For on that part where hearts be not one,  
Victory may no way with them gone.  
Chief of conquest is peace and unity.  
Right as discord is of adversity.  
Wherefore I read that of a will and heart,  
Let us set on to do the greeks smart.  
For soothfastly if so ye list to see,  
I dare affirm that we far stronger be,  
Than be the greeks upon every part,  
And have of arms perfectly the art.  
And be accounted of knighthod crop and root,  
And plenty have of horsemen and on foot.  
Arrayed well everich in his degree,  
And therewith also strong is our City.  
For to withstand our fomon everyone,  
You counselling, and sith ordain anon,  
first tassemble holy your navy,  
And stuff them strongly with our chivalry,  
And into Grece hastily them to send,  
The proud greeks manly to offend.  
And of just cause and by title of right,  
On them to were with all our force & might.  
Their towns bren and their fields waste,  
With heart unfeigned also us enhaste,  
To quite them as they deserved have,  
For by my read we shall none of them save.  
But cruellyf to do on them vengeaunee,  
Ne hath no ear ne let be no grievance,  
Though they tofore by fortune were victors  
And slew our fathers & progenitors.  
For he that was of unhap first put down,  
Remounteth oft and that to high renown.  
As by the charge and double variance,  
Of were and strife that aye is in balance.  
For he that this day is assured weal,  
We see to morrow cast down of the wheel.  
The victor oft likewise in adventure,  
And vanquished as by discomfiture,  
Of him that had afore the victory.  
Now up sith down in arms stant the glory.  
In Martes chance no man may him assure,  
But as it cometh so must he take his eure.  
For gery Mars by sudden influence,  
Can give a man whilom excellence,  
To win a prise like a conqueror,  
And suddenly as falleth the summer flower,  
He can his honour make for to fade.  
For when that he all his aspects glade,  
From any man lysteth for to writhe,  
His old renown goth away as blithe,  
As after flood the ebb followeth aye.  
As men deserve praise them for the day.  
For though to day Phoebus' merry shine,  
To morrow he may his beams down decline.  
Through the thickness of the mists trouble,  
Right so of Mars are the chances double.  
Now up, now down, now low, & now aloft,  
As fortune will which that changeth oft,  
List on her wheel make a man ascend,  
And unwarely down again descend.  
Stound meal his honour to advance,  
And with asweigh throw him to mischance.  
Now with favour set him up full high,  
Erst him avail with twyngling of an eye.  
Her play unstable turneth as a ball.  
While one goeth up an other hath a fall.  
She raiseth one and doth another lout,  
For every man when it cometh about,  
Must take his turn as her play requireth.  
Who is expert and her frauds lereth,  
Shall with her sugar find gall ymeynt.  
And her honey aye with bitter sprained.  
In peace and were in honour and in fame,  
In dignities in renown and in shame,  
Be at her liking as her list to grant,  
Therefore no man his hap to much avaunt.  
¶ For though greeks whilom were a loft,  
It may them hap hereafter full unsoft.  
Wherefore eachone show your worthiness,  
That so are named of strength & hardiness.  
And to fortune plainly you commit,  
And let no fear your manly hearts flit.  
But stand hole and be in meaning plain,  
And thereupon let see what ye will say.  
And at once their voice they 'gan raise,  
And his sentence highly for to preyse.  
And of one heart manly 'gan express,  
They will at once dispend goods & richesse,  
And their bodies put in jeopardy,  
There was not one that would it tho deny.  
And of this grant he thanketh them eachone,  
And gave them leave where them list to gone.  
For he dissolved hath his parliament,  
And every man on his way is went.  
And repaired to his mansiowne,  
The king alone left in Ilyowne,  
Sole by himself inwardly musing,  
How he his purpose might about bring.  
For he in sooth on nothing else thought,  
And thereupon in fine thus he wrought.   

King Pryamus making thus his moan,  
As I you told in chamber all alone,  
Many ways casting up and down,  
For to perform his conclusion,  
And to fulfil the fine of his intent,  
He first of all prudently hath sent,  
For his sons to come to him in haste,  
As well for them that were borne in baste,  
As for the other tassemble there yfeare.  
For this purpose like as ye shall here.  
To have a counsel for needful purveyance,  
Against greeks to maken ordinance.  
first by themself alone privily,  
And when they were in order by and by,  
everich of them set in his dew see,  
Like as they were of age and of degree,  
And Hector first flower of chivalry,  
Repaired home out of Panonye,  
Most acceptable in every wights grace,  
next his father taken hath his place.  
¶ And when Priam his leisure did espy,  
With sighs sore casting up his eye,  
To them eachone sitting environ,  
'Gan to declare his hearts motion.  
But first or he might ought his will expone  
In salt tears he 'gan himself drown,  
So inly was his woe outrageous,  
That for weeping and sobbing furious,  
uneath he might with any word out break.  
Nor unto them for distress speak.  
Nor openly his inward meaning show,  
Till at the last he in words few,  
'Gan to abrade in all his piteous fare,  
Even thus in sentence ginning to declare.  
¶ My dear sons so loving and so kind,  
As I suppose that ye have in mind,  
And remember discreetly and advert,  
And eke imprente full freshly in your heart,  
How the greeks again all right and law,  
With cruel sword mundred have and slawe,  
Our ancestors whilom of high renown,  
And destroyed brent and beat down,  
The first Troy with his walls old.  
And how ungodly also they withhold,  
Mine own sister called Action.  
To full great shame and confusion,  
And high repryfe to your worthiness,  
That me seemeth of very kindness,  
And of nature ye ought be aggrieved,  
And inwardly in heart sore amened.  
To suffer her in hyndring of her name,  
So to be treated for your alder shame.  
Alas why nil ye do your business,  
This high despite knightly to redress.  
You for t'avenge upon their cruelty,  
Recure to find of her iniquity.  
Sith that ye be so mighty and so strong.  
Certes me seemeth ye biden all to long,  
From day to day that ye so differre,  
In knightly wise to begin on them a were,  
Your force and might manly to assay.  
I am pure sorry that ye list delay,  
You to confyrmen unto my desire,  
That in their hate bren as hoot as fire.  
And upon them like as ye may see,  
Of fretting ire avenged for to be.  
Like their desert to quyten them their meed.  
And ye alas that listen take no heed,  
While your renown doth so freshly shine,  
Unto my lust your hearts to decline.  
considering like as it is well couth,  
How I myself from your tender youth,  
Y fostered you and brought you forth eachone,  
From thilk day that first ye could gone,  
As tenderly as I could or might,  
To which thing in your inward sight,  
Ye should advert always new and new,  
And of nature on my sorrows rue,  
To remedy this mine adversity.  
Which toucheth you also as well as me,  
Sith that ye wot how sore it doth me grieve,  
Ye shulden shape mine harms to relieve.  
And suddenly as he thus 'gan mourn,  
Towards Hector he 'gan his face turn.  
And said Hector my trust and all my joy,  
Mine heir also, like to reign in Troy,  
After my day and be my successor,  
And named art the very sovereign flower,  
Of worthiness and of manhood the well.  
And all thy brethren in knighthod dost excel.  
And in arms like a conqueror,  
Called the stock of worship and honour,  
I heartily pray though thou sittest still,  
Be willing now my purpose to fulfil,  
To execute that I desire so.  
For finally in the and in no more,  
Is full my faith to bring this thing about.  
Now take on the and be nothing in doubt.  
To be chefetayne and also governor,  
Of this purpose and utterly succour,  
Into thine hand this journey I commit.  
holy of heart so that thou ne flit,  
The to conform by good advisement.  
Up to perform the fine of mine intent.  
For of reason best to the it sit,  
Which art so prudent and so full of wit,  
Strong and deliver flowering eke in youth,  
Of whom the fame through the world is couth.  
young of years old of discretion,  
Eurous to love, passing of renown.  
Unto whose will thy brethren shall obey,  
And stand with the both to live and die.  
Now condescend to accomplish my request,  
And what thou feelest answer at the lest.  
¶ And when the king hath showed his sentence,  
Demure of cheer humble of reverence,  
This worthy Hector example of gentry,  
With soft speech as teacheth courtesy,  
His answer gave with sober countenance,  
The effect of which was this in substance.  
¶ Mine own lord and my father dear,  
benignly if so ye list to hear,  
After the force and the great might,  
And after eke the sum of nature's right,  
Which every thing by kind doth constrain,  
In the bonds of her large chain,  
It sitting is as she doth inspire,  
And to that end that every man desire,  
Of wrongs done to have amendment.  
And to her law right convenient,  
Namely to such that with nobility,  
Kind hath endued and set in high degree,  
For to such great reproof is and shame,  
When any wrong be do unto their name.  
For each trespass must considered be,  
justly measured by the qualyty,  
Of him that is offended and also,  
After the parson by whom the wrong is do,  
Be it in were in conteck or debate.  
For greater grief is to high estate.  
To suffer harm of case or adventure,  
Or any wrong unjustly to endure,  
Or injuries compassed by malice,  
Is more offence by discrete advise,  
To them that be famous in manhood,  
Well renowned and borne of gentle blood,  
Than to such one that hold is but a wretch  
Wherefore we must greatly charge and reach  
Only of knighthod our worship for to eke,  
Of wrongs done a mends for to seek.  
Our state considered & our high noblesse,  
And in what plight we stand of worthiness,  
When that beasts of reason rude & blind,  
Desire the same by just instinct of kind.  
¶ And for my part trusteth in certain,  
Ye have no son that would half so fain,  
Upon Greeks avenged be as I.  
For here my truth I say you faithfully,  
For ire of them I burn as doth the gleed,  
I thirst their blood more than other meed.  
For right as I eldest am of age,  
Among your sons so am I most with rage,  
I fret within justly of knighthood,  
With my right hand to shed the greeks blood.  
As they shall feel peraunter or they ween.  
When time cometh the sooth shallbe seen.  
¶ But first I read wisely in your mind,  
To cast afore and leave not behind,  
Or ye begin discreetly to advert,  
And prudently consider in your heart,  
All only not the ginning but the end.  
And that the mids what way in they will wend.  
And to what fine fortune will them lead,  
If ye thus do amiss ye may not speed.  
For that counsel in mine opinion,  
Is worthy little by discretion,  
To have a prise that cast not by and by,  
The course of things by order seriously.  
What way they trace to woe or to delight.  
For though a ginning have his appetite,  
Yet in the end plainly this no fable,  
There may thing fall which is not commendable.  
For what is worth a ginning fortunate,  
That causeth after strife and great debate.  
Wherefore in sooth beginnings are to dread,  
But men well know what fine shall succeed.  
For a ginning with grace is well fortuned,  
When end and mids a like be contuned.  
But when that it in we'll ne may conteme,  
It is well better rather to abstain,  
Than put in doubt that standeth in surety.  
For who so doth hath adversity.  
But humble this to your estate royal,  
Of heart I pray let not offend at all,  
That I am bold to say my motion.  
For in good faith of none entention,  
I nothing move to do to you offence,  
But only this that your magnificence,  
proceed not of head to wilfully.  
Ne that no haste you move to folly.  
To begin a thing that after will you shende,  
For lack that ye see not tofore the end.  
Nor take heed in your advertence,  
To consider by good providence,  
How Greeks have in their subjection,  
Europe and africa with many region.  
Full large & wide of knighthod most famous,  
And of richesse wonder plenteous.  
Right renowned also of worthiness,  
With your support I dare it well express.  
Full perilous is them displease or disturb  
For if that we our quiet now parturbe,  
Which standeth fully in peace is to dread.  
For though all Assye help us in our need,  
If it be looked on every part aright,  
They be not equal unto Greeks might.  
¶ And though also mine Aunt Action,  
Again all right be hold of Thelamon,  
It is not good for her redemption,  
To put us all unto destruction.  
I read not that we buy her half so dear.  
For many of us perhaps that sytten here,  
And other more might for her sake  
Death underfonge and an end make.  
Which were no wisdom like as seemeth me,  
And it may hap also how that she,  
In short time her fatal course shall fine.  
When Atropos the thread a two shall twine.  
What had we then won and she were go,  
But enmity, thought, sorrow and wo.  
Slaughter of our men death and confusion,  
Wherefore I read without dissension,  
Without more that we our woe endure.  
And not to put ourself in adventure.  
This hold I best and work as the wise,  
But doubtless for no cowardice,  
I say not this in your high presence.  
But forcause I hold it no prudence,  
To fortune known so full of doubilnesse,  
Sith we be sure to put our sickerness.  
Thus all and some the effect of my will.  
And with that word Hector held him still.   

ANd when that Hector by full high prudence,  
Concluded hath the fine of his sentence.  
Full demurely he kept his lips close.  
And therewithal this Paris up arose,  
And 'gan his tale thus afore the king.  
My lord quoth he so it be liking,  
To your highness for to taken heed.  
As me seemeth we should little dread,  
In knightly wise for to undertake  
Upon Greeks a were for to make,  
All at once their pride to confound.  
Sith that we so passingly abound,  
Of chivalry here within our town.  
And have plenty and possessyowne,  
Of each thing that may to were avail,  
Stuff in ourself and royal apparel.  
Of all that longeth to assaults martial.  
And with all this more in special,  
Help and secure of many region,  
With us to work to their destruction.  
The pomp and pride manly to abate,  
And of Greeks the malice to amate.  
For all that they of heart be so stout,  
Me seemeth shortly that we need not doubt,  
Nor on no part for to be dismayed.  
Wherefore I read let not be delayed,  
Our ships first ready for to make,  
And I myself will fully undertake,  
So it to you be liking and pleasance,  
Of this emprise holy the governance,  
And you assure and put in certain.  
Exyona for to recure again.  
And in what form that it shall be wrought,  
I have a way devised in my thought.  
That likely is hereafter to be done.  
Which unto you I will declare anon,  
First I have cast with strong & mighty hand,  
For to ravish some lady of that land,  
Of high estate and make no tarrying,  
And mightily into Troy her bring.  
Maugre her might for this conclusion,  
That ye may have restitution,  
By change of her that ye desire so.  
And thereupon shall not be long ado,  
I you behete for all the Greeks strong,  
And for that I shall not this tale prolong,  
I will you sayne excluding every doubt,  
How this advise shall well be brought about.  
First how that I shall this purpose fine,  
The gods have through their power divine,  
showed to me by revelation.  
For thereupon I had avisyon,  
But late agone as I lay in a sleep,  
Unto the which if so ye take keep,  
Ye may not fail nor be in no despair,  
To have recure of her that is so fair.  
For whom ye have now so much care.  
¶ And the manner hole I will declare,  
Of this dream to your magnificence,  
If it so be ye lysteth give credence,  
To this my tale for I shall not dwell,  
seriously in order for to tell,  
The very truth and no fable fain.  
To you that be my lord most sovereign.  
¶ First if that ye remember in your mind,  
This other day when I was last in Ind  
By your advise and commandment,  
For a matter which in your intent,  
Was specially had in cheirte,  
As it is known between you and me,  
Of which I took upon me though the charge,  
Within the bonds of that land large.  
¶ The same time your desire to speed,  
When that Titan with his beams read,  
From Geminy drove his chair of gold,  
Toward the Crab for to take his hold.  
Which named is the palace of Diane,  
The bend moon that wax can and wane.  
When hallowed is the sons station,  
Nigh the mids of the month of juyn.  
At which season early in the morrow,  
When that Phoebus' avoiding nights sorrow,  
Doth Pirrous his wain up to draw,  
And Aurora eastward doth adawe,  
And with the water of her tears round,  
The silver dew causeth to abound,  
Upon the herbs and the flowers soot,  
Full kindly nourishing both crop & root.  
¶ Up I rose out of my bed anon,  
Full desirous on hunting for to gone,  
Pricked in heart with lusty fresh pleasance,  
To do to love some dew observance,  
And Diana that day to magnify.  
Which called is lady of venery,  
And reverendly rites to observe,  
Of Cytherea her as tho to serve,  
I and my feres our hearts to relieve,  
Cast us fully till it drew to eve,  
Within a forest to play us and disport,  
And pleasantly us to recomfort,  
As it longeth to love of lustiness.  
For thilk day to Venus the goddess,  
Ysacred was by full great excellence.  
With great honour and dew reverence,  
Done unto her both of one and all,  
And on a friday is this adventure fall.  
When we 'gan haste us to the woods green,  
In hope that day some game for to seen.  
With great labour riding to and fro,  
Till that we had full many buck and do,  
By strength slain as we might them find.  
The heart ychased with hounds & the hind,  
Through the downs and the dales low,  
Till Phoebus' high upon his days bow,  
Amid the ark was of Meredien,  
For than his beams full hot were and sheen▪  
And we most busy were upon the chase.  
That me befell a wonder diverse case.  
For of fortune it happened suddenly,  
While I was severed from my company,  
Sole by myself among the holtes hoar,  
To find game desirous evermore,  
Or I was ware through thick & thine,  
A full great heart I saw afore me ryn.  
Down by the land and the vales green.  
That I in sooth ne might not sustain,  
He was to swift for to nigh him near.  
Though him to sew I pricked my courser,  
Nigh to the death through many sundry shaw  
Out of my sight so far he can withdraw,  
For all that ever that I sew might,  
That I anon lost of him the sight.  
In a wood that I dabare the name.  
And I so faint 'gan wexen of that game,  
And mine horse on which I though did ride,  
Foaming full white upon every side,  
And his flanks all with blood distained.  
In my pursuit so sore he was constrained,  
With my spurs sharp and died red,  
After the heart so pricked I my stead.  
Now up now down with a full busy thought,  
But my labour availed me right nought.  
Till at the last among the bows glade,  
Of adventure I caught a pleasant shade,  
Full smooth and plain and lusty for to seen,  
And soft as velvet was the young green,  
Where fro my horse I did alight as fast,  
And on a bow aloft his rain cast,  
So faint and mate of weariness I was,  
That I me laid down upon the grass.  
Upon a bryncke shortly for to tell,  
Beside the river of a crystal well.  
And the water as I rehearse can,  
Like quick silver in his streams ran.  
Of which the gravel and the bright stone,  
As any gold again the son shone.  
¶ Where right anon for very weariness,  
A sudden sleep 'gan me so oppress,  
That sith the time that I first was borne,  
I never was asleped so toforne.  
And as I lay I heard a wonder sweven.  
For as me thought high down from heaven,  
The winged god wonderful of cheer,  
Mercuryus to me did appear,  
Of whom I was some deal first afeard,  
For he was gird with his crooked sword.  
And with him brought also in his hand,  
His sleepy yard as pliant as a wand.  
With a serpent going environ,  
And at his feet also low adown,  
Me seemed also that there stood a cock,  
Singing his hours true as any clock.  
And to the mouth of this god Mercury,  
Were pipes set that song wonder merry.  
Of which the sweet sugared harmony,  
Made to mine ears such a melody,  
That me seemed tho in mine advise,  
I was ravished into paradise.  
And thus this god diverse of likeness,  
More wonderful than I can express,  
showed himself in his appearance,  
Like as he is described in Fulgence.  
In the book of his methologies.  
Where be rehearsed many poesies,  
And many likeness like as ye may see,  
And for to take the moralitee,  
His long yard right as is a line,  
Which on no side wrongly may decline,  
signifieth the prudent governance,  
Of discrete folk that through their purveyance  
Cast a peril or that it befall.  
And his pipes loud as any shall,  
That through music be entuned true,  
Betokeneth eke with many lusty hew,  
The sugared dities by great excellence,  
Of rhetoric and of eloquence.  
Of which this god is sovereign & patrowne.  
And of this cock the sweet and lusty sown,  
That justly keepeth the hours of the night,  
Is utterly the advise of inward sight,  
Of such as void by waker diligence,  
Out of their court stouthe and negligence.  
And his sword which croketh so again,  
That is not forged nor maked in vain,  
Is to revoke to the right weigh,  
Such as wrongly for truth forueye.  
And the serpent which that I of told,  
Which wrincled is as ye may behold,  
Upon the yard and about goeth,  
signifieth that falsehood wood & wroth,  
That lieth in wait by many sleighty weigh,  
With his gins the truth for to warray.  
And of this god of eloquence the king,  
Brought with him eke in his coming,  
Cytherea whom these lovers serve,  
juno and Pallas that called is Minerva.  
And this Venus her lieges to delight,  
About her head flikered doves white,  
With look benign and eyen debonair,  
Ay circuling with snowy wings fair.  
For to declare soothly in sentence.  
By the doves very innocence,  
Of them in love that but troth mean,  
And that their ground should honest be & clean.  
Ytokned is clearly by witness.  
Without soiling of any uncleanness.  
And the freshness of the roses red,  
That in summer so lustyly doth spread,  
And in winter of their colour fade,  
Signifieth the hearty thoughts glade,  
Of young folks that been amorous.  
Fervent in hope and inly desirous,  
When love gineth in their hearts flower,  
Till long process maketh them to louvre,  
With the winter of unwieldy age.  
That lust is palled and dulled with the rage,  
Of feebleness when summer is a gone.  
As folks know I wot well more than one.  
And therefore Venus fleeteth in a see,  
To show the trouble and adversity,  
That is in love and in her stormy law,  
Which is beset with many sturdy wawe.  
Now calm now rough who so taketh heed,  
As hope assailed aye with sudden dread,  
And next Venus Pallas I beheld,  
With her spear and her bright shield  
And a rainbow round about her head,  
That of colour green was blue and read.  
And her tofore as I can describe,  
She growing had a green fresh olive,  
And thereupon with his brows fowl,  
In the branches I saw sit like an Owl.  
And first the shield of Pallas the goddess,  
Signified as I can express,  
In virtue force by manly high diffence.  
Again vices to maken resistance.  
And her spear sharp and keen yground,  
By just rigour was forged to confound,  
Them that be false and to put aback,  
And for that mercy shall meddle with the wrack.  
The shaft in sooth shaven was full plain,  
Lest merciless that right ne wrought in vain.  
And after were to make false release,  
There was the Olive that betokeneth peace.  
The Owl also so odious at all.  
That songs singeth at feasts funeral.  
Declaring plainly fine of every glory,  
Is only death who hath it in memory.  
And the rainbow green read and pierce,  
signifieth the changes full diverse,  
That oft falleth in were and battle.  
Now to win and suddenly to fail,  
Now stable as blue changing now as green,  
For Pallas play is alway meynt with tene.  
And alder last as now I have in mind,  
With her nymphs juno came behind.  
Which of custom Fulgencius so tells,  
Abideth in floods and in deep wells.  
And this juno as these poets feign,  
A maiden is and of fruit barren,  
And the Peacock to this fresh queen,  
Ysacred is with his feathers sheen.  
Splayed abroad as large as a sail,  
With Argus' eyen imprinted in his tail.  
¶ The waters ronninge in river & in flood,  
Is the labour that men have for good,  
The great trouble and the business,  
That day and night they suffer for richesse.  
That who so ever in these floods row,  
Let him beware for aye after the flow,  
Of nature right by courses it is dew,  
Following the moon there must an ebb ensue.  
The most dread is aye upon the full.  
Lest fortune do the fresh feathers pull,  
Of rich folks that shine in gold sheen,  
Sith she of chaunche the lady is & queen.  
¶ And Argus eyen that set are aye behind,  
Are niggards hearts that oft scythes be blind.  
Which not advert of goods to the end,  
That like an ebb suddenly will wend.  
Which they nothing consider in their sight,  
For as the fair lusty feathers bright,  
Of a Peacock unwarely fall away,  
Right so riches shortly at a day,  
Will their master suddenly forsake,  
Saying adieu & thence their leave take.  
And as juno barren is of fruit,  
Right so naked bare and destitute,  
Are these greedy hearts covetous.  
Which to gather be so desirous.  
That in nothing can have suffisance,  
The fret of dread them putteth in such mischance.  
imagining that the world will fail.  
And in their fear again the wind they sail.  
Till all at ones they must depart there fro,  
And thus of good aye the fine is wo.  
Namely of them that so pinch and spare,  
For this no dread as clerks can declare,  
The fruit of good is to spend large,  
And who so ever set but little charge,  
But freely parteth his treasure in common,  
When he discreetly seeth time opportune,  
He hath no joy to put his good in mewe.  
For who in heart that freedom list to sew,  
Of gentleness taketh no heed thereto.  
¶ And in this wise Pallas and juno,  
With fresh Venus be adown descended,  
Like as I have shortly comprehended,  
Under the guiding of Mercurius.  
Which unto me began his tale thus.  
¶ Paris quod he life up thine eyen & see,  
Lo these goddesses here in number three,  
Which from heaven with their eyen clear,  
So diversly unto the appear,  
Were at a feast whereof I tell shall,  
With all the gods above celestial.  
That jupiter held at his own board,  
Was none absent save only discord,  
And for despite she was not there present,  
To be avenged set all her intent,  
And in her wits many ways sought,  
Till at the last even thus she wrought.  
Of old Poets like as it is told.  
She took an apple round of pure gold,  
With Greek letters graven up and down,  
Which said thus in conclusion,  
Without strife let it be give anon,  
Unto the fairest of them everichone,  
And of discord this lady and goddess,  
As she that is of conteke mistress,  
Hath this apple passing of delight,  
Brought to this feast of malice & despite,  
And cast it down among them at the board.  
With deynous cheer speaking not a word.  
But on her way fast 'gan her high,  
And suddenly so inly great envy,  
Into the court this apple hath in brought,  
So great a were & such a conteck wrought,  
In the hearts of these ilke three,  
That after long may not staunched be,  
Among themself so they 'gan disdain.  
Which in beauty was most severaygne,  
And which of them hath most title of right,  
For to conquer this burned apple bright.  
And first they 'gan thus for beauty strive,  
That of rancour almost their hearts rive.  
To wit of right who should it first possede.  
¶ Lo yet envy reigneth in womanhood.  
That one is fairer than an other hold,  
For each woman of her kind would,  
Have on some part prize above an other.  
In each estate in sooth it is no other.  
And each of them in her own advise,  
Hath joy in beauty for to have a prize,  
For none so foul doth in a mirror pry,  
That sheen is fair in her own eye.  
But like a fool he himself doth quite,  
That aumber yellow chooseth for the white.  
A goundy eye is deceived soon,  
That any colour chooseth by the moon.  
For some colour with fire is made fine,  
And some increased with spices & with wine.  
With ointments and with confections,  
And on the night by false illusions,  
Some appear wonder fresh and fair.  
That look full dark by day light in the air.  
There is no proof but early by the morrow,  
Of such as need no beauty for to borrow,  
But as nature hath herself disposed,  
Therefore fasting or boxes be unclosed,  
Make thy chose so biddeth the ovid,  
When every drug and pot is set a side,  
Lest haply thou be after his sentence,  
deceived lightly by false appearance.  
For now a days such craft is full rife,  
And in this wise first began the strife,  
Betwixt juno, Venus, and Pallas.  
That be decended for this sudden case,  
By one assent touching their beauty,  
The doom thereof committed unto the.  
I speak to the that called art Paris,  
And held art full prudent and right wise,  
Be well advised how thy doom shall fine,  
For they ne may to nor fro decline,  
But must obeyen all by one assent.  
Without strife as to thy judgement.  
But hercke first or that thou proceed,  
Of each of them what shall be thy meed.  
Consydre a right and take good heed thereto.  
If thou the apple grant unto juno,  
She shall the give plenty of richesse,  
High renown of fame eke worthiness,  
With abundance of gold and of treasure.  
And do the raise to so high honour,  
That thou alone all other shalt excel.  
For thy guerdon like as I the tell.  
¶ And if to Pallas goddess of prudence,  
The list the fine conclude of thy sentence,  
That she may lady of the apple be,  
For thy meed she shall assure thee,  
That of wit and eke of sapience,  
Thou shalt holy have the excellence.  
And of wisdom and of discretion,  
As to discern by clearness of reason,  
Also far as Phoebus' cast may his light,  
There shall not be a more prudent knight.  
Nor in this world sith it first began,  
Of just report a more manly man.  
Nor to thy name none equipollent.  
¶ And if to Venus of true and clean intent,  
The list to grant in this conclusion,  
Of the appel to have possession,  
The fresh goddess that sit so high above,  
Shall the ensue to have unto thy love,  
The fairest lady that is or was tofore,  
Or in this world hereafter shallbe boar.  
And in Grece thou shall her knightly win.  
Now be advised or that thou begin.  
justly to dame and for no thing spare.  
¶ And I anon 'gan look up and to stare,  
Greatly atoned what me was best to do.  
Till at the last I spoke Mercury to,  
And said certain that I ne would there,  
give no doom but they naked were.  
So that I might have fully liberty,  
every of them advisedly to see.  
And well consider every circumstance,  
Who fairest were unto my pleasance.  
And goodliest to speak of womanhood.  
And after that would to my doom proceed.  
¶ And they anon as ye have heard me say,  
To my desire meekly 'gan obey.  
In all haste to do their busy cure,  
Them to despoil of clothing and vesture,  
Lyche as the statute of my doom them bond,  
For in no point they would it not withstand.  
That I might have full inspection,  
Of form and shape and each proporsyon,  
For to discern as I can remember,  
A vysedly by order every member,  
And than at erst to judge after the right.  
¶ But when that I of them had thus the sight,  
I gave to Venus the Apple right anon.  
Because she was fairest of each one.  
And most excelling soothly of beatie,  
Most womanly and goodly on to see.  
though as I deemed plainly in my sight.  
For the streams of her eyen bright,  
Yleche glade and of equal light,  
Were like that star that showeth towards the night  
Which called is Hesperus so sheen.  
Venus herself the fresh lusty queen.  
The which anon this heavenly Empress,  
After my doom of hearty high gladness,  
That of the apple she holy hath the glory,  
And won it thus justly by victory,  
rejoiced her more than I can tell.  
That she her fears in beauty did excel.  
And she in haste of true affection,  
Concluded hath fully for my guerdon,  
Full demurely low and not a loft,  
To Mercury with sober words soft.  
devoid both of doubleness and sloth,  
Like her behest hold will her troth.  
And suddenly without more Injury,  
They disapered and the god Mercury,  
Straight to heaven the right way he took,  
And I anon out of my sleep a work.  
¶ Whereof my lord whom I most love & dread  
If ye advert and wisely taketh heed.  
That this behest affirmed in certain,  
Was unto me assured not in vain.  
Of goodly Venus like as I have told,  
Wherefore I read ye be of heart bold,  
Me for to send with strong & mighty hand  
Without abode into the Greeks land.  
After the form that I have to you said.  
For thus I hope ye shall be well apaid,  
When I have speed as Wenus hath be height.  
And home return with my lady bright.  
So shall ye best me list not speak in vain,  
As by exchange your sister win again.  
Whom Thelomon withholden hath of yore.  
Lo this is all I can say you no more,  
Touching th'effect holy of mine advise.  
And after that though sat him down Paris,  
As he that had himself full well aquytt.  
But say Priam alas where was thy wit,  
Of negligence for to taken keep,  
Thy trust to set on dreams or on sleep.  
Full thin forsooth was thy discretion,  
To take a ground of false illusion,  
For to proceed like to the fantasy.  
Upon a sweven meint with flattery,  
Alas reason was though nothing thy guide,  
For Pallas was wrongly set a side.  
Not received with dew reverence.  
And juno eke for all her sapience,  
For all her good and looking debonair,  
With her treasure and her hests fair,  
Refused was alas of wilfulness.  
And she that is of love the goddess,  
And eke also of Vulcanus the wife,  
In whose service is ever were and strife,  
Preferred was the apple to possede.  
Again all right for Paris took none heed,  
Save unto lust and set aside the troth,  
Where through alas & that was full great routh,  
The mighty rich and the noble town,  
Of Troy was brought to full confusion.  
Only for he knighthood hath forsake,  
Prudence, and gold, and in his choice tale,  
A woman only, and hold him thereto,  
That after was the root of all their wo.  
As this story seriously shall tell,  
But I in dreams will no longer dwell.  
But writ forth how that Deiphobus,  
That was the third son to Priamus,  
His tale began in open audience,  
And to the king shortly in sentence,  
As he that list a truth not to spare,  
Even thus he 'gan his fantasy declare.  
¶ My lord quoth he if that every wight,  
Aduerte should and cast in his sight,  
Of future thing the peril and the doubt,  
And search it well within and eke without,  
From point to point alway in reason,  
To cast doubts and tournen up so down,  
Than should no wight to no purpose wend,  
In any matter for to make an end.  
Either presume by manhood in his thought,  
Who casteth doubts achieveth light or nought.  
For if the ploughman always cast aforne,  
How many grains in his field of corn,  
shallbe devoured of fowls ravenous,  
That he doth sow in fields plenteous,  
Than should he never in vale nor in plain,  
For cowardshyp throw abroad his grain.  
Let all such dread now be laid aside.  
I hold if folly longer to abide,  
But that Paris my brother make him strong,  
With his ships for to venge our wrong.  
Upon greeks with all his pain and might,  
To prove shortly that he is a knight.  
For of reason ye this consider may,  
How that no man justly may say nay,  
But that Paris hath counseled weal.  
For by my troth as fer as I can feel,  
It were error his purpose to contrary.  
Wherefore let him now no longer tarry,  
But hold his way with a strong navy,  
For to avenge the shameful velanye,  
That greeks have done if so ye list take heed,  
In alder days to us and our kindred.  
And eke for final execution,  
Of the recure as touching Action.  
Whom they demeyne in such dishonest wise,  
Against all right and title of justice.  
Whereof to think it giveth my heart a wound.  
The shame of which so newly doth rebound,  
Upon us all that be of her ally.  
Wherefore the best that I can espy,  
Is that Paris take may this voyage,  
With such as be of fresh and lusty age.  
Manly to wend into greeks land,  
And by force of their mighty hand,  
Manger the Greeks proud and most elate,  
ravish there some lady of estate.  
And than ye may by knighthod of my brother,  
If ye list after change her for that other.  
This is most ready and short conclusion,  
That I can see for restytution,  
Of Exyon if so that Paris wend,  
And of my counsel shortly thus the end▪  
¶ And than as fast full discrete and sage,  
Helenus the fourth son as of age,  
Rose from his seat with humble reverence,  
Praying his father grant him aundience  
That he may say in presence of them all,  
Openly what after shallbe fall,  
As he that most of secret things can.  
And soberly thus he his tale began.  
With clean intent and true affection.  
¶ My lord quoth he with supportation,  
Of your grace wherein is most my trust,  
Let none offence be unto your lust,  
Nor you displease if so I my conceit,  
As now declare sith I mean no decetie.  
For never yet failed no sentence,  
But that it fill eft in experience,  
Like as I told in party and in all.  
In pryvye treat and eke in general.  
Without meaning of any doubleness.  
That it followed as I did express.  
Remembering you as ye shall find it true,  
And if god will I shall not now of new,  
Spare for to say like as I conceive,  
Nor to be deed with fraud you deceive.  
Declaring first of true intention,  
As it shall follow in conclusion.  
¶ That if he Paris into Grece wend,  
Trusteth me well it will us all shende.  
For the gods so by revelation,  
Have made to me plain demonstration,  
And eke I know it by astronomy.  
For never yet as in my prophecy,  
I was deceived of that should after fall.  
Nor none that list me to counsel call.  
So am I taught of thing that shall betide,  
Wherefore I pray for rancour nor for pride,  
Nor for envy wrought of old hatred,  
To take vengeance that ye not proceed,  
In your advise like as ye purpose.  
I say you plainly for me ylyst not gloze,  
Ye shall repent if so ye Paris send.  
Into Grece the which god defend.  
Wit this full well for the conclusion,  
Shall fully turn to our destruction,  
And finally unto our ruin,  
Like as to you I 'gan afore divine.  
For this the fine that there follow shall,  
subversion both of town and of wall.  
Of house and palace here in our City,  
All goth to nought ye get no more of me.  
Form seemeth it ought enough suffice,  
That I have said sith that ye be wise.  
For if that ye adverten to my saw,  
I doubt not that ye will withdraw,  
Your hand be time or that more damage,  
assaileth you by constraint of this rage.  
For better is betimes to abstain,  
From this purpose which is yet but green,  
Than of heed thus hastily assent,  
To thing for which we shall eachone repent.  
For plenerly there shall nothing succour,  
That there shall follow both of you and your,  
Despyteful death without excepciowne.  
Of one and all abiding in this town.  
first on yourself plainly to indite,  
Shall the vengeance of the greeks bite,  
Through the fury of their mortal tene,  
And your wife fair Hecuba the queen,  
Shall lead her life through greeks cruelty,  
In sorrow woe and in captivity,  
And your lieges by the sword shall place,  
Of cruel death withouten any grace.  
And innocentes merciless shall bleed,  
In your advise if that ye do proceed,  
Of wilfulness a were for to make.  
And foolily thus for to undertake,  
As to parturbe your quiet and your rest,  
Which shall return nothing for the best.  
But to ruin of you and of us all.  
I can no more but or that mischief fall,  
My counsel is afore that ye provide,  
And letteth wilfulness be set aside.  
Specially when death as I you told,  
Must be the fine if ye your purpose hold.  
Lo here is all without words more.  
Into Grece if so that Paris go.  
¶ And in this wise when that Helenus,  
Had plainly said as Guydo telleth us,  
Tryste and heavy with pale and deadly face,  
Again resorteth to his sitting place.  
Of whose sentence atoned everichone,  
Sat in silence still as any stone.  
Powerles their hearts eft to resume.  
To speak a word no man dare presume,  
Of all the press but kept their lips close,  
That at the last Troylous up arose,  
Young fresh and courageous also,  
And aye desirous for to have a do,  
In arms manly as longeth to a knight.  
And when that he of cheer full glad and light,  
Saw his father and brethren everichone,  
So inly troubled thus he spoke anon.  
¶ Oh noble and worthy sitting environ,  
Of high prudence and great discretion,  
Manful also and of high courage,  
What sudden fere hath brought you in this rage  
What new trouble is cropen in your breast,  
For the sentence of a coward priest.  
Sith they eachone as ye shall ever find,  
Desire more verily of kind,  
To live in lust and void away travail,  
And deadly hate to here as of battle.  
For they their wit finally apply,  
To sew their lust and live in gluttony.  
To fill their stomach and restore their maw,  
To rest and ease evermore to draw.  
And to sew their inward appetite.  
This their joy and this their delight.  
In eating, drinking, and in covetise,  
Is their study fully to devise,  
How they may follow their lust without more.  
Of right nought else setten they no store.  
Alas for shame why be ye so dismayed,  
And sit mate atoned and afraid,  
For the words of him this Helenus,  
Fearful for dread as a little mouse.  
That he quaketh to here speak of fight.  
And moreover again all skill and right,  
In prejudice of the gods all,  
He taketh on him to say what shall be fall.  
Of thing future for to specify.  
As if he had a spirit of prophecy,  
Granted to him alone in special.  
As though he were in cunning perygall.  
To the god's having prescience.  
To show afore through his sapience,  
What shall betide other evil or good.  
Let be let be for no wight is so wood,  
That hath his wit to give thereto credence.  
That any man by craft or by science,  
That mortal is hath cunning to divine,  
Fortune's course or fates to termine.  
Such causes hid concealed in secree,  
Reserved be to god's privitee.  
Men may divine but all is but folly,  
To take heed for they do but lie.  
Wherefore I read as in this matter,  
Both one and all and you my lord most dear,  
Exclude all dread and all that may disturb,  
Out of your heart and let nothing perturb,  
Your high courage that Helenus hath told.  
And if that he of heart be not bold,  
As manhood would to help venge our wrong  
Let him go hide him in the temple strong.  
And keep him close in contemplation.  
To wake and pray by devotion,  
Without succour on days and on nights.  
And suffer such as be lusty knights,  
To haunt their youth and green lustiness,  
Manly in arms to prove their hardiness.  
That they may have the better acqueintaunce,  
In time coming for to do vengeance,  
On their enemies and their cruel foen.  
And sith command that Paris may forth gone,  
To execute the fine of your intent.  
Afore purposed in your parliament.  
Upon greeks for their offention,  
For to perform the pain of talyon,  
For wrongs old of which yet the fame,  
Rehearsed is unto our aldershame.  
Through out the world ye wot this is no lece  
And therewithal Troylous held his peace.  
And suddenly all that were present,  
Began at ones holly by one assent,  
Troilus counsel greatly for to preyse.  
And his manhood to the heaven raise.  
His fresh courage and his high prowess,  
His fervent zeal and his hardiness.  
And of one heart greatly him commend,  
And right anon there they made an end.  
Than Pryamus when that all was done,  
Upon the time of the hour of none,  
To meet goeth within great Ilyon,  
All his sons sitting environ.  
And after meet he called hath Paris,  
And Deiphobus also that was full wise.  
And secretly bad they shoulden go,  
The same day with other lords more,  
To Panonye in all the haste they may,  
To make them ready again a certain day,  
With all the array of worthy chivalry,  
That they may get in their company,  
Towards Grece to saylen hastily.  
And after that the king suddenly,  
The next day made his counsel call,  
And even thus he said afore them all.  
¶ Oh noble lieges being now present,  
My purpose is to say you mine intent,  
Without abode to here it if ye list,  
For as I think to you is not unwyste,  
How the greeks of pride and tyranny,  
Of malices old compassed by envy,  
In many wise have again us wrought,  
Which is so green that I foryet it nought.  
For day by day increasing ever more,  
By remembrance renewed is my wo.  
When I record and casten up and down,  
Our griefs all and how that Exiowne,  
In servitude among them doth sojourn.  
Which oft a day causeth me to mourn.  
And hath my heart almost asunder rive.  
For to consider and see it by my live.  
Whose cruelty we have to dear bought,  
And albeit that I have means sought,  
To have had rest without any more,  
When into Grece I sent Anthenore,  
peaceably my sister to recure.  
And patiently the surplus to endure.  
But all for nought they took of it no heed,  
What I offered them of goodlihead,  
It was not herd for lack of gentleness.  
Record of which doubleth my distress.  
¶ Wherefore we must as teacheth surgery,  
With sharp Irous seken our remedy.  
To cut away by the root round,  
The dead flesh festered in the wound.  
Which will not void with oynetmentes soft,  
Albe that they applied be full oft.  
Right so we must attempt as by duresse,  
To get recure when that with fairness,  
We may none have wherefore by your advise,  
My purpose is in haste to send Paryse.  
Forth into Grece some lady there to win,  
And bring her home & we shall here within,  
Strongly her keep maugre who saith nay.  
Till that we see some agreeable day,  
That they be fain like mine opinion,  
To have exchange for her of Action.  
My sister namely whom I love so.  
We may not fail that it shall thus be do,  
So that the gods be to us favourable,  
And this counsel be also acceptable,  
To you eachone as it is to me.  
For when a thing toucheeh a comonte,  
Of witty men as it is affirmed,  
Of all the common it ought to be confirmed.  
Thing touching all should be first approved,  
Of everichone or it were achieved.  
Wherefore I cast by advise of you all,  
Plainly to work. & forthwith there withal,  
This noble Priam was suddenly in pease.  
And after that amongs all the press,  
When all was whyshte in their alder sight,  
A knight up rose and Percheus he hight.  
That son was to great Euforbyus,  
De transformatis as saith ovidius  
Into whom he feigneth that there was,  
Whilom the soul of Pythagoras,  
holy transsumed so as write Ovid.  
As touching that I will not longer bide,  
But tell forth of this Percheus.  
Afore the king which 'gan his tale thus.  
¶ My lyege lord unto your high noblesse,  
Displease it not nor to your worthiness,  
Though here in presence of your majesty,  
That I shall say for to acquit me,  
Towards you of my faith and truth.  
For soothfastly in me may be no sloth,  
Touching your honour that without dread,  
With zeal of faith I bren as doth the gleed.  
Of all harms to bid you ye beware.  
For doubtless this affirm well I dare,  
If so ye stand in your first advise,  
As ye purpose to senden forth Paryse,  
I doubt it not that it shall you rue.  
For god well wot of old and not of new,  
I had a father called Enforbius,  
Discrete and wise and right virtuous,  
And knowing had afore of every thing,  
By prescience and before witting.  
To tell plainly through his philosophy,  
So heavenly he saw and that at eye,  
That there nas thing that might so secretly,  
Be hid from him ne yet no pryvytee.  
That he ne knew he was of wit so sage.  
And at the last when he was of age.  
An hundred year with locks grey and hoar,  
I well bethink how he complained sore,  
And wept also of pity tenderly,  
Fully affirming if Paris utterly,  
Went into Grece to ravish him a wife,  
There should ensue such a mortal strife,  
Upon us all that soothly this city,  
Should into sundered ashes turned be.  
And that there should nothing do us succour,  
But greeks sword should cruelly devour,  
Both high and low and plainly spare none.  
Wherefore I pray among you everichone,  
Of that I tell have ye no despite,  
Your wrong to venge putteth in respite,  
And rancour old I read that ye let.  
And the tranquyll now of your quiet,  
Of hastiness that ye not submit.  
To fortune list that can so falsely flit.  
And trouble not for ancient enmity,  
With new steering your felicity.  
For if that ye this journey thus assent,  
Ye everichone full sore shall repent.  
And if ye will algates thither send,  
In Paris stead let some other wend.  
Lest his voyage be to you no speed.  
Lo this my counsel and fully my read,  
Said under support only of your grace.  
¶ And suddenly they 'gan eachone to chase,  
At Penthens and loud again him cry.  
reproving him and the prophecy,  
Of this father to their confusion.  
¶ But oh alas the revolution,  
Of joy or woe or of felicity,  
For thing tofore ordained must needily be,  
The state of things which fate is so englewed,  
For that shall fall may not be eschewed.  
Which caused them for tassent in one,  
In all the haste that Paris should be gone,  
Unhappily with hap they were enuolued.  
¶ And thus concluding their counsel is dissolved,  
But casually lo it befell right than,  
That this advise unto the ears ran,  
Of Cassandra and she with great afraye,  
Of sudden woe 'gan cryen wellaway.  
¶ Alas quoth she alas what will ye do,  
What? and shall Paris into Grece go?  
And with that word she burst out to weep.  
Full piteously with inward sighs deep.  
She 'gan to wail and sown for the pain,  
And furiously with noise to complain.  
With woeful rage and many pyteus sown,  
She made a mortal lamentatiowne.  
For to be dead she might her not withhold.  
With hear to torn and with fists fold,  
She said alas more than and hundred sith.  
Ah stormy fortune why list thou to kith,  
Thy cruel force to our adversity.  
Upon us all and eke on this City,  
Of mortal ire and gery violence,  
with sword of vengeance worse than pestilence.  
¶ Oh Troy Troy what is the guilt alas,  
What hast thou done what is thy trespass,  
To be eversed and turned into nought.  
With wild fire thy sin is dear about.  
Ah Priam king uncely is thy chance,  
What hast thou guilt other do grievance,  
To thy gods or wyrched through unright,  
Them to provoke to show their cruel might,  
Upon thy blood alas what hast thou do?  
Oh mother my Oh Hecuba also,  
What manner crime or importable offence,  
Hast thou commit to have such recompense.  
The day to abide Oh noble worthy queen,  
Of thy sons such vengeance for to seen.  
Oh woeful death cruel and horrible.  
Alas why are ye no more credible,  
To my counsel such harms to eschew,  
Your mortal purpose fully to remove.  
That he go not as it is ordained.  
The thought of which my heart hath so constrained  
That uneath I may this my woe endure,  
And to her father this woeful creature,  
Held straight her way & falleth plat to ground  
And of her weeping all in water drowned,  
By her cheeks so 'gan the tears rain,  
And as she might for constraint of her pain,  
Upon him she 'gan clyppen and cry,  
beseeching him to shape a remedy,  
With piteous voice as she that knew full weal,  
In this matter plainly everydeal,  
What shall befall and had it full in mind.  
The sudden harms that shall ensue behind,  
But all her clamour was not but in vain,  
For that shall fall as some clerks sayne,  
Ne may not well of men eschewed be.  
And eke fortune by great adversity,  
Of hasty Ire furious and wood,  
And aye unkind unto the Trojan blood,  
Causeless against them sore aggrieved,  
And of rancour suddenly amened,  
With blind await to catch them in a trance,  
By violence of her unhappy chance,  
Hath with a sweyght turned her wheel unstable,  
As she that is envious and mutable,  
To hasten Trojans to their confusion,  
Of wilfulness and undiscretion,  
Against greeks quarrel for to make,  
And thereupon have their counsel take.  
And have achieved as ye heard devise,  
Without assent of the most wise.  
For if so they the definition,  
Of Hector heard concluded in reason,  
In this matter and of Helenus,  
The counsel take, and to Percheus,  
Adverted wisely as to his sentence,  
And without feigning given full credence,  
To her Cassandra that never list to lie,  
And by advise had hard the prophecy,  
From point to point for to cast aforne,  
In such mischief they had not tho be lost,  
But flowered yet in their felicity.  
Without damage and adversity.  
But fortune will fortholde her course always.  
Whose will abideth who so saith ye or nay.  
For she it was that caused this voyage,  
With forehead plain & blandishing visage.  
With sugar shed and venom in the root,  
Bitter of taste and in showing soot.  
Wrynckled double like an horned snail,  
Faith in her face & fraud ay in her tail.  
To haste the Trojans to accord into one,  
That Paris should into grece gone.  
As ye have herd there is no more to say,  
For hereupon they cast them to ordain.    

¶ How Priam the king sent Paris Deiphobus and others of the worthies of Troy into Grece, to avenge the ravishing of his sister Action, & how they before their return ravished the fair Heleine wife to Menelaus and brought her to Troy. Ca xiii.  

THe time approached when the son sheen,  
His golden wain whyrleth up atween,  
The clear stars of Hyades so read,  
Which have their scyte in the Bulls head,  
And Pleyades the seventh star so bright,  
Of which six appearen to our sight,  
For the seventh draweth her aside,  
And covertly doth her beams hide,  
Whilom for she hath done a great offence,  
That unto us causeth her absence.  
For she dare not show her streams clear,  
Nor with her sistren openly appear,  
Whelom for she as with a god mortal,  
A sin committed that was criminal.  
Which noised was & kouth throughout the heaven  
That she alone among the sistren seven,  
Shroudeth to us shamefestly her cheer.  
¶ And when as Titan in the zodiac sphere,  
atween these stars taken had his see,  
Of the bull in the sixteenth degree,  
Upon the time of jolly green may,  
When that Flora with her hews gay,  
Hath every plain meadow hill and vale,  
With her flowers quick & nothing pale,  
Over spread and clad in livery new.  
And branches blosme with diverse lusty hew  
And bid us fully to be glad and light,  
For by assurance they their fruit have height,  
Again Autumpne who so that list them shake.  
When on the vines ripeth every grape.  
For thus this season most lusty of disport.  
embraceth hearts with new recomfort,  
Only of hope by kind as it is dew,  
That wholesome fruit shall the blossoms sew.  
When time cometh by revolution.  
And thus in May the lusty fresh season,  
When birds sing in their harmony,  
The same time out of Pannonye,  
Repeyred be Deiphobus and Paris,  
And with them brought chosen by devise,  
Three thousand knights ready for to gone,  
With them to grece and ships many one,  
Full victualed of all that may them need,  
And of these ships the number as I read,  
Was two and twenty like as write Guydo.  
And after this without more ado,  
The king commandeth unto Aeneas,  
To Antenor and to Polydamas,  
In all the haste that they them ready make,  
With Paris knightly for to undertake,  
As ye have heard this journey to achieve.  
And on the time when they took their leave,  
Pryamus with short conclusion,  
showeth the effect of his entention.  
And specially they their devoir done,  
For to recure his sister Exione.  
As ye have herd here tofore me tell.  
What should I more in this matter dwell.  
When they were ready without more soioure,  
This Paris first as lord and governor,  
Of this voyage made by Pryamus,  
And his brother called Deiphobus,  
Their leave have take as longed of duty.  
And after that to ship right manfully,  
Without abode they 'gan themselves dress,  
And in the name of Venus the goddess,  
And mighty jove they taken their journey.  
With anchor hoist forth by the large sea,  
They 'gan to sail and have the wind at wil  
The water calm blandishing and still.  
Without trouble of any boisterous wawe,  
And to the costs they ginnen fast to draw,  
Of greeks land for nothing ne them let,  
And of fortune in their course they met,  
A greekish ship mine Author telleth thus,  
In which there was the king Menelaus,  
Toward Pyram a famous strong City,  
For to visit a duke of high degree,  
That Nestor hight and this Menelaus,  
Was brother eke unto the king famous,  
The wise worthy great Agamenon.  
Greatest of name and reputation,  
amongs the Greeks for his worthiness,  
And Menelay this story beareth witness,  
Husband was to the queen Heleyne.  
And she was sister to the brethren twain,  
Castor and Pollux which as I you told,  
Were of their hand so worthy knights hold.  
And in that time like to their degree,  
In Strynester their most chief City,  
They held a household solemn & royal.  
The love of whom was though so special,  
Of will and heart according with the deed,  
Atwixe them two of very brotherhood,  
That none from other could live alone.  
With whom was eke the maid Hermyone,  
The young daughter of the queen Heleyne,  
Of fairness most inly sovereign.  
Most passingly excelling in beauty,  
¶ And thus the Troyans' sailing on the sea,  
Toward grece among the waves wet,  
Of adventure them happened for to meet,  
King Menelaus sailing by their side,  
And none of them list of very pride,  
For to inquire what that other was,  
But passen forth a swift and lusty pace,  
For none of them could then other know,  
And aye the wind peasebly 'gan blow,  
The Trojan fleet causing in a while,  
For to approach to the noble isle,  
That called is Cythera at this day.  
And in the haven in all the haste they may,  
They anchor cast & bound their ships strong,  
And after that them list not tarry long,  
To take the land full many lusty man,  
Araying them as freshly as they can.  
¶ Now in this isle of passing excellence,  
There was a temple of great reverence,  
That builded was of old foundation,  
And honoured most as in that region,  
Throughout the land both of far and near,  
The feast day aye from year to year,  
Like as it fill by revolution,  
Repeyringe thither of great devotion,  
In honour only of Venus the goddess.  
Whom the greeks with all their business,  
Honoured most of every manner age.  
With gifts bringing and with pilgrimage.  
With great offering and with sacrafise,  
As used was in their paynim wise.  
¶ For in this Fane as they kneel & wake,  
With heart contrite and their prayer make,  
The statue gave of every question,  
Perfect answer and full solution,  
With ceremonies to Venus as they lout,  
Of every thing whereof they were in doubt.  
They hadden there full declaration.  
And thus the greeks upon Cithaeron,  
hallow this feast with rich & great array.  
With rites dew as far forth as they may.  
In hope fully the better for to thrive.  
¶ And of fortune when he did aryve,  
Up to the land by adventure or case.  
The same time this feast hallowed was.  
Of many a greek coming to and fro,  
From every cost that to the temple go.  
On pilgramage their vows to acquit.  
Of the place the relics to visit.  
And after Paris all this did espy,  
He chosen hath out of his company,  
The worthiest that he there cheese may.  
And to the temple he took the right way.  
Full well beseen and in knightly wise.  
And did his honour and his sacrafise.  
Full humble and to the Greeks liche,  
With many an ouche and many jewel rich.  
With gold and silver stones and rich perre,  
He spendeth there like to his degree.  
And quit him manly in his oblations,  
And full devoutly in his orisons,  
He him demeneth that joy it was to see.  
¶ Now was Paris of passing great beauty,  
amongs all that ever were alive.  
For there was none that might with him strive,  
Trojan nor greek to speak of semeliheade,  
Wonder fresh and lusty as I read.  
And in his port full like a gentle knight,  
Of whose person for to have a sight,  
They 'gan to press both of nigh and fere.  
So royally he bore him in his gear.  
And all press both high estate and loowe,  
What knight he was desyren for to know.  
And of his men they asken busyly,  
From whence he came and the cause why.  
Of his coming inquiring one by one,  
But prudently they kept them everichone,  
That nothing was openly espied,  
In their answer so they themselves guide.  
That every thing kept was secree,  
every of them was so avisee.  
Albe that some openly declare,  
What that he was and ne list not to spare,  
But told plainly the cause of his coming.  
And how Priam the strong mighty king,  
His father was most royal of renown.  
And how he came also for Exiowne.  
Thus each of them 'gan with other rowne,  
At prime face when he came to town.  
And thereupon were ymagynatyfe,  
Sore musing and much inquisitife,  
Each with other as by suspection,  
Deminge thereof like their opinion.  
And rathest they that nothing ne knew,  
As folks done of things that be new.  
And whiles that they of this matter treat,  
In sundry wise among their words great,  
The saying of them 'gan anon attain,  
To the ears of the queen Heleyne.  
Nigh there beside in that region.  
And when she heard as by relation,  
And by report of them that come between,  
This fair Heleyne, this fresh lusty queen,  
Anon as she the sooth understood,  
Without delay or any more abode,  
She casteth her to this solempnytye,  
The fresh folk of Phrigia to see.  
Well more god wot in her intention,  
To see Paris than for devotion.  
Under colour of holy pilgrimage.  
To the temple she taketh her voyage,  
With a great main and royal apparel,  
Paris to see for she will not fail.  
¶ But oh alas what lusty new fire,  
Her heart hath now enflawmed by desire,  
To go to vigiles other to spectacles.  
None holiness to hear of miracles,  
Hath moved her that there shall befall,  
But as the manner is of women all,  
To draw thither platly to conclude,  
Where as they be sure that multitude,  
Ygathered is at liberty to see,  
Where as they may find opportunity,  
To their desire full narrow they await.  
Now covertly their eyen for to bait.  
In place where as set is their pleasance.  
Now privily to have dalliance,  
By some sign or casting of an eye,  
Or tokens showing in heart what they dry.  
With touch of hands stole among the press,  
With arm or foot to catch up in their lose,  
Whom that them list, all be he free or bond,  
Of nature they can hold him in hand.  
Again whose sleight availeth wit nor might.  
For what them list be it wrong or right,  
They aye achieve who so saith yea or nay.  
Again whose lust defend him no man may.  
¶ Thus Guydo aye of cursed false delight,  
To speak them harm hath caught an appetite  
Throughout his book of women to say ill,  
That to translate it is again my will,  
He hath aye joy their honour to ramuerse.  
And I right sorry that I must rehearse,  
The fell words in his book yfound,  
To all women I am so mikle bound.  
They be eachone so goodly and so kind,  
I dare of them not say but as I find.  
Of Guydoes writ throughout Troy book,  
For when I red for fear my heart quoke.  
And verily my wits 'gan to fail,  
When I thereof must maken rehersaile.  
Like his decreet but Guydo now do wite,  
For ye shall hear anon how that he chit,  
The queen Heleyne for cause that she went,  
With heart devout her offering to present.  
To the temple of Venus the goddess,  
Thus word by word he saith to her express.  
¶ O mortal harm that most is for to dread,  
A fraud ycast by sleight of womanhood.  
Of every woe beginning crop and root,  
Against which help may no boat,  
When lust hath drive in their heart a nail,  
Ay deadly venom seweth at the tail.  
Which no man hath power to restrain,  
Record I take of queen Heleyne.  
That inly brent alas in her desires,  
Of new lust to deal with those strangers.  
Whom she knew not ne never saw before,  
Where through alas full many men were lost,  
Of cruel death embraced in a chain.  
Without pity now say thou queen Heleyne,  
What ghost or spirit alas hath moved thee,  
Sole fro thy lord in such royalty,  
Out of thy house to go among the press.  
Why were thou weary to live at home in peace.  
But goest out strangers for to see,  
Taking no heed unto thine honesty.  
Thou shouldest have kept thy closet secretly,  
And not have passed out so foolily,  
In the absence of thy lord alas.  
Thou were to wilful and rakel in this case.  
To see afore what should after sew,  
For all to soon thou were drawn out of mewe.  
That could not keep at home though thy boundꝭ.  
Thou wentest out as hare among the hounds.  
For to be caught of very wilfulness.  
And thy desire couldst not compesse.  
For though thy lust list not to refrain,  
O many woman hath caught be in a train,  
By going out such hallows for to seek.  
It sit them better at home for to keep,  
Close in their chamber and i'll occasyowne.  
For never ship should in peril drown,  
Nor rive on rock nor be with tempest rent,  
Nor with Charybdis dreached or yshent,  
Nor to go to wreck with no wethers ill,  
If it were kept in the haven still.  
For who will not occasions eschew,  
Nor dread no peril for it is to sew,  
He must needily as by necessity,  
Or he beware endure adversity.  
And who can not his foot fro traps spare,  
Let him take heed or he fall in the snare.  
For harm ydone to late is to complain,  
For if whilom the noble queen Heleyne,  
Herself had kept at home secret and close,  
Of her there ne had be so wick a lose.  
Reported yet green fresh and new.  
Whose chance unhappy each man ought to rue  
That cause was of such destruction,  
Of many worthy and confusion,  
Of her husband and many other more.  
On greeks side and those of Troy also.  
In this story as ye shall after read.  
¶ And so this queen as fast as she may speed,  
To the temple hath the way nim,  
Full royally and when that she was come.  
Full devoutly within Cithaeron,  
Made unto Venus her oblation,  
In presence and sight of many one.  
With many jewel and many rich stone.  
¶ And when that Paris had this thing espied,  
To the temple anon he hath him hied.  
Full thriftily in all the hast he might.  
Where he forthwith as he had a sight,  
Of the goodly fair fresh queen,  
Cupid's dart that is whet so keen,  
Or he was ware hath him marked so,  
That for atoned he nist what to do.  
So much he marveleth her seemliness,  
Her womanhood her port and her fairness.  
For never erst ne wend he that nature,  
Could aught have made so fair a creature.  
So aungellyke she was of her beauty,  
So feminine so goodly on to see.  
That soothly he her dempte as by liklynesse,  
For her beauty to be some goddess.  
For so his heart did him aye assure,  
That she ne was a mortal creature.  
So heavenly fair and so celestial,  
He thought she was in party and in all.  
And eft considereth for avysely,  
Her features all in order by and by.  
So curyously aye in his reason,  
Of every thing by good inspection.  
Her golden hear like the son streams,  
Of fresh Phoebus with his bright beams.  
The goodly head of her fleshly face,  
Full replete of beauty and of grace.  
Ylike enewed with quickens of colour,  
Both of the rose and the lily flower.  
So equally that neither was to wit,  
Through none excess of much nor of light.  
Within the cercling of her eyen bright,  
Was paradise compassed in her sight.  
That through each heart the beauty 'gan to pierce.  
And certainly if so I shall rehearse,  
Her shape her form her features by & by,  
As Guydo doth by order seriously,  
From head to foot clearly to devise,  
I want english that thereto may suffice.  
It will not be our tongue is nothing like,  
I want also the flowers of Rhetoric.  
To sew his flourishing or his painture,  
For to describe so fair a creature.  
For so my colours feeble be and faint,  
That neither can ennewe nor well depaynte.  
Eke I am not acquainted with no muse,  
Of all the nine therefore I me excuse,  
To you eachone not all of negligence,  
But for default only of eloquence.  
And you remit to Guydo for to see,  
How he descriveth by order her beauty.  
To take on me it were presumpciowne.  
¶ But I will tell how Paris up and down,  
Gothe in the temple and his eye cast,  
Towards Heleyne and 'gan presen fast,  
As he that brent hoot in loves fire,  
That was enflawmed greatly by desire.  
And oft he changeth countenance & cheer,  
And ever he neigheth to her near and near,  
Ydarted through with her eyen twain.  
And in likewise this fresh queen Heleyne,  
As hot she brent in heart privily,  
Albe no man it outward could espy.  
For as her thought she never erst tofore,  
Of all men that ever yet were boar,  
See none so fair nor like to her pleasance.  
On him to look was hearts suffisance.  
For in the temple she taketh heed of nought,  
But compasseth and casteth in her thought,  
How she may catch some opportunity,  
With him to speak at further liberty.  
This holy was all her business.  
For him she felt so inly great distress.  
That oft she changeth countenance & hew,  
For Venus hath them marked so of new,  
With her brands fired by fervence,  
And enflawmed by sudden influence,  
That equally they brought were in rage.  
And save the eye atwene was no message.  
Each on other so fix have cast their sight,  
That they conceive and wist anon right,  
Within themself what their heart meant.  
And near to her ever Paris went.  
To seek fully and get occasion,  
When as they might by full relation,  
Their hearts conceit declare secretly.  
And so befell that Paris nigheth nigh,  
To the place where the queen Heleyne,  
Stood in her see, & there atween them twain,  
They broke out all & sum of their whole heart.  
And gave issue to their inward smart.  
But this was done lest they were espied,  
When the people was most occupied,  
In the temple for to stare and gaze.  
Now here now there as it were on a maze.  
They kept them close that no word asterte,  
There was no man the treason might advert.  
Of them twain ne what they would mean.  
But at the last Paris and this queen,  
Concluded have with short advisement,  
Fully the fine of their both intent.  
And set the time betwixt them in certain,  
When they appoynten for to meet again.  
But lest men had to them suspection,  
They made an end without more sermon.  
And sith depart albe that they were loath.  
And soberly anon this Paris goeth,  
From the temple with breast in every part,  
Fully through girt with loves fiery dart.  
And to his ships he held the right way,  
Where he anon in all the hast he may,  
When that assembled was his chivalry,  
One and other and all his company.  
In few words as shortly as I can,  
Tofore them all his tale he thus began.   

Lordings quoth he shortly to express,  
The cause is couth as to your worthiness,  
Why my father into Grece us sent.  
For as ye know the chief of his intent,  
Was to recure his sister Action,  
Out of the hands of mighty Thelamon.  
The which thing for aught I can espy.  
Is impossible shortly in mine eye.  
By any way as fer as I can see,  
He is so great and strong in his country.  
Of his allies about on every side,  
And in heart so inly full of pride,  
To yield her up he hath not but disdain.  
Thereof to treat it were not but in vain.  
Therefore the best that I can devise,  
Sith our power may not now suffice,  
To warray him in this regiowne,  
We be not equal of might nor of renown,  
For lack of men with him to hold a field.  
We may not win with spear nor with shield,  
Tencountre him with all his multitude.  
Wherefore the best that I can conclude,  
Is sith fortune hath us hither brought,  
And the gods have eke for us wrought,  
So graciously to make us for to land,  
At Venus' temple fast here by the strand.  
Which aboundeth with full great richesse,  
Of greeks offering unto the goddess,  
By land and sea fro many sundry port,  
Of men and women that hither have resort,  
To that place in worship of Venus,  
So that the wife of king Menelaus,  
Is there present. full rich and well beseyne,  
And if that we by manhood might attain,  
To ravish her and the temple spoil,  
And of their treasure chesen out and coil,  
The chief jewels and chargen our summer's,  
With gold and silver and with prisoners,  
And maugre them to our ships bring,  
This same night without tarrying,  
We may not fail who ever that saith nay,  
If ye assenten of a worthy prey.  
Wherefore in haste that ye now ready make,  
And every man anon his harness take,  
And arm him well in his best array.  
And they assent without more delay,  
And in their ships they byden till at night,  
When Phoebus' chair withdrawn had his light,  
Under the waves and stars did appear,  
On the heaven with their streams clear.  
And or the moon that time did arise,  
They shope them forth in full thrifty wise,  
The manly Troyans' armed in steel bright,  
To the temple holding their way aright.  
For they casten no longer for to tarry,  
But proudly enter in the sanctuary,  
Into the chapel called Cithaeron,  
Without reverence or devotion.  
Done to Venus in her oratory.  
For it was clean out of their memory.  
Honour and dread and all observance,  
For finally all their attendance,  
As mine Author soothly can define,  
Was to right nought but only to ravin.  
They token all that came to their hand,  
richesse and treasure that was in the land,  
Gold and silver stones and rich jewels,  
Releques sacred the holy eke vessels,  
Without abode out of the sacrary,  
And all yfeare to their ships carry.  
It is a wonder to think on the good.  
They kill & slay all that them withstood,  
And likewise pity for to see them bleed,  
And of the Greeks how they to ship lead.  
That after lived in captivity,  
Full many a year in Troy the City.  
¶ And there whiles goth Paris to Heleyne,  
And her embraceth in his arms twain,  
Full humble and with great reverence.  
In whom he found no manner resistance.  
It sat her not she was so womanly,  
For there to Paris she yold her utterly.  
Her heart in hap was yold or he came there,  
Therefore to yield she had less fear.  
She can not strive nor no woman should,  
And he anon as gentleness him would  
Comforteth her as he best can or may.  
And led her forth without more delay,  
Unto the ships and there full busyly,  
He set wards to keep her honestly.  
While to the temple he returneth again,  
To spoil and rob and to make all plain,  
Through the temple with his walls wide.  
¶ Now stood a castle fast there beside,  
Ystuffed well with greekish soldiers,  
The which awoke with noise of pylours.  
The same night and 'gan make a shout.  
And therewithal anon they issue out,  
Armed in steel the temple to rescue.  
And manfully after them they sew.  
And so befell when they together met,  
With spears sharp and swords keen whet.  
¶ They ran together as these Tiger's wild,  
Like wood Lions or these Boar's unmild.  
There was no feigning found in their fight,  
Albe the field was not departed right.  
For the Troyans' doubled them in number,  
That utterly the Greeks they encoumbre.  
And at mischief made them fast to flee  
And in pursuit full cruelly them flee.  
Without mercy to the castle gate.  
There was no rescuse for they came to late.  
Of this skermyshe for the fine was death,  
Now here now there they yelden up the breath.  
So mightily the Troyans' them assail.  
That to withstand it might not them avail.  
For of manhood they the field have won.  
And after that right cruelly begun,  
In hasty wise to ransack that castle,  
And to ship they broughten everydeal.  
treasure & gold & what that they may win,  
And on the morrow to salen they begin.  
Stuffed with good by the greekish sea,  
Toward the costs of Troy the City.  
The sea was calm and fully at their will,  
Both of tempest and of storms ill.  
And clear also was the bright heaven,  
That in space almost of days seven,  
At the castle called Tenedowne,  
They are arrived six mile from the town.  
And glad and light they to land went.  
And after that I find this Paris sent,  
His messenger straight unto the king,  
That him informeth of his home coming,  
Of their exploit he told them every deal,  
And Pryamus it liketh wonder weal,  
That so manly they have borne them out,  
And made to publish in all the town about,  
These tidings new with great solemnity,  
To high and low through out the city.  
And that for joy the most and eke the lest,  
For remembrance hallow and hold a feast.  
And thank their gods in full humble wise,  
With observances and with sacrifice,  
On their altars with great devotion,  
And all this while he at Tenedon,  
Holdeth sojourn with the queen Heleyne.  
The which her hap 'gan rewfully complain,  
Her uncouth life to dwellen with strangers.  
Disconsolate among the prisoners.  
Far sequestered away from her country,  
All solitary and in captivity.  
She weepeth and crieth with a piteous cheer  
With waves upboyled from her eyen clear,  
Whereof the streams by her cheeks rain.  
And for constraint of her inward pain,  
Full often scythes her song was well away.  
With sobbing voice that she so far away,  
Departed is from Menelaus,  
For whose absence in rages furious,  
She hateth her life and curseth eke fortune,  
And in this woe she ever doth contune,  
Without sojourn always more and more.  
And for her brethren Pollux and Castor,  
And for the love of her daughter dear,  
Now pale and green she waxeth of her cheer,  
That whilom was fresher for to seen,  
Than is lyilye on his stalk green.  
Alas changed is her rosin hew.  
And aye elyche her woe increaseth new.  
That like no woman she was to behold,  
For aye she wept as she to water would.  
¶ Till at the last in all her heaviness,  
Paris to her came of gentleness,  
To recomfort and to appease her rage.  
He besyeth him her sorrows to assuage.  
Saying to her alas what may this mean,  
That ye in one oh goodly fresh queen,  
List thus yourself in sorrowing diffygure.  
I wonder greatly how ye may endure,  
So moche water causeless thus to shed,  
That with weeping have dewed so your weed.  
For like a conduit the streams ran a down  
And as a penitaunt in contriciowne,  
Ye you disraye alas why do ye so.  
Let be this fare and let it over go.  
All your weeping thought and heaviness,  
And be no more my lady in distress.  
Make here an end now of your grievance,  
For all the ease comfort and pleasance,  
That men may do trust well ye shall have,  
It is but folly in sorrow thus to rave.  
Let passen over all these sharp showers,  
And here my troth ye and all yours,  
Of what your list you shall have suffisance.  
As farforth and more in abundance,  
Than have ye had among the greeks there,  
I you ensure and be nothing in fear.  
That I shall hold all that I have height,  
On my truth as I am true knight.  
In word and deed with all my heart entire,  
And she anon with a doleful cheer,  
So as she might forsobbing tho suffice,  
Answered again in full lowly wise.  
¶ I wot quod she were me loath or lief,  
Sith I am caught & take at this mischief,  
Unto your will I may not now with say,  
I am so bound that I must obey.  
Under your danger that I may not flee,  
In hold distrained and in captivity.  
¶ Ye wots also by nature out of dread,  
That it ne longeth unto womanhood.  
In strange soil to strive or to rebel.  
And namely there where as her quarrel,  
Shall have no favour nor sustained be,  
But if ye list now to have pity,  
On me or mine of your goodlyhead,  
Ye may of god deserve thank and meed.  
That will reward justly give to tho,  
And comfort them that be in care and wo.  
¶ Now lady mine, than quoth Paris,  
What that may like or be at your devise,  
All shall be do trusteth me right weal.  
For by my truth as far as I can feel,  
In any thing that may do you pleasance,  
Ye shall it have and that in abundance.  
This I ensure of hest not fallible,  
Be not aghast but fully be credible,  
To my words and hests everichone.  
And therewithal he lad her right anon,  
Into a place of royal apparel,  
To comfort her if it would avail.  
And secretly there between them two,  
This Paris first without more a do,  
Spoke unto her and said my lady dear,  
I fain it not but speak of heart entire,  
And that I hope ye shall hereafter find.  
Wherefore I pray enprenteth in your mind,  
What that I say and in your remembrance.  
This is to say sith ye by purveyance,  
Ben of the gods brought as now thereto,  
And fortune eke will that it be so,  
I dare affirm plainly for the first,  
That they disposed have not for your worst,  
But for your good and so ye must it take,  
Wherefore I read suffer over shake,  
All heaviness and looketh that ye be,  
As glad and light here in this country,  
As though ye were in your own land.  
For faithfully I do you tunderstand,  
Ye shall have here as much abundance,  
On every part with full suffisance,  
Of all that you seemeth to be pleasant,  
For of one thing I dare me well avaunt,  
That in this country as it shallbe found,  
In every thing we plenteously abound.  
And more at full then do your greeks yonder,  
And though ye been far from them a sunder,  
Out of the land that called is Achaye,  
There is no cause why ye should dismay,  
Sith ye at worship and more reverence,  
At more honour and greater excellence,  
Here shallbe cherished than ye were afore.  
And where ye plain that ye have forbore,  
Your own lord and be as now left sole,  
For whom ye maken all this woe and dole,  
Ye shall in haste be set at better ease.  
For certainly so it not displease,  
Nor offend unto your womanhood,  
In stead of him I purpose out of dread,  
To wed you and be your true man,  
To love and serve in all that ever I can,  
Without feigning to my lives end.  
And be to you as lowly and as kind,  
As diligent and eke more laborious,  
Than whilom was your Menelaus,  
In every thing your lusts to obey.  
Have here my truth till time that I die.  
¶ And though that I in words be but plain,  
For the love of god have no disdain,  
Of my request nor grudge not at all,  
For at the least of the stock royal,  
I am descended and come as high of blood,  
As Menelay and of birth as good,  
And can in love to you be far more true,  
Than erst was he and change for no new.  
¶ Wherefore leave of thus to plain and weep,  
And let some comfort in your bosom creep,  
Your woe appease which is not worth an haw,  
And let some mirth in your heart adawe.  
This I beseech you and of womanhood,  
To my words that ye list take heed.  
¶ Alas quoth she how might this befall,  
That have ylefte my friends one and all,  
In strange land and here am all alone,  
How should I than but still complain in one,  
I have no cause god wot for to play,  
Nor yet my cheeks for to keep drey.  
From salt tears alas it will not be,  
That can none end of mine adversity.  
For in good faith it were against kind,  
So suddenly tabandon out of mind,  
Thilk thing that either for joy or smart,  
In all this world sitteth next my heart.  
For whom alas so sore I am distrained.  
But sith the gods have as now ordained,  
No better chance of hope unto me,  
I can no more I must it take at gre.  
And humbly accept also their sonde.  
For I am weak their power to withstand.  
Wherefore I shall again my will now strive,  
All be for woe my heart I feel rive.  
For to consent and lowly to admit,  
Thilk thing fro which as now I may not flit.  
Maugre my will of necessity,  
Fully to obey what ye list do with me.  
It will not help although I said you nay.  
And thus she plaineth in all that ever she may  
Little and little her sorrow to assuage.  
What should she aye live in woe and rage.  
To lose herself so tender a creature,  
An heart of steel ne might it not endure.  
But aye of women the manner is and kind,  
That they can not of sorrow make an end.  
Till they by leisure wept have at full.  
But at the last when they gynnen dull,  
To make sorrow it happeth them as fast,  
That by grace they soon it over cast.  
And lightly catch comfort for their smart.  
They be so tender that men may them convert,  
Fro woe to joy & thought from them dissever,  
There is no storm that may last ever,  
As clerks wise in books list discern,  
Thing violent may nothing be eterne.  
For after storms Phoebus' brighter is.  
And so by comfort and counsel of Paris,  
She is adawed of her old sorrow.  
For even like as the glad morrow,  
Of very kind seweth the dark night,  
So by process her heart waxeth light.  
And of her weeping dried is the well.  
Like as the story shall anon us tell.    

How Paris was received in Troy at his return, and of his marriage to Heleyne. Capitulo. xiiii.  

When so the queen that called is Heleine,  
Adawed was of her dreary pain,  
And the waves of her heavy cheer,  
On her cheeks gonnen for to clear:  
Paris in heart fresh and amorous,  
In haste hath sent to king Pryamus,  
For horse and men and other apparel,  
Clothes of gold full noble of entail,  
Made for Heleyne, & wrought for the nonce,  
With rich pearl and many sundry stones,  
Again her coming into Troy town.  
And after that Paris from Tenedowne,  
Shappeth him to lead her into Troy.  
And Pryamus met them on the way,  
Full royally as fast as he might high,  
With many a lord in his company,  
Full many lady fresh and well beseyne,  
And many maid that ride them again,  
first estates and after communers.  
Now had Paris all his prisoners,  
Set before in order twain and twain,  
And he road next with the queen Heleyne.  
And Deiphobus upon the other side,  
And his knights environ him did ride.  
But next him road the worthy Aeneas,  
And the Trojan called Pollydamus,  
His mean suing each in his degree,  
So gentylmanly that joy it was to see,  
Each from other keeping a certain space.  
And forth they riden but a soft pace,  
Till that the king them met suddenly,  
And them received hath full solemnly,  
As he best could and goodly took the rain,  
Into his hand of the queen Heleyne.  
And her conveyed forth to his City.  
Great was the praise that abode to see,  
Of sundry folk that shoved fast and crowd.  
The shrill trumpets were yreysed loud,  
Up to the sky goth the blissful sown,  
When all this people entereth in the town.  
And many another divers instrument,  
That all tofore in at the gates went,  
In sundry wise that made melody.  
That to here the heavenly harmony,  
By music touched upon string and cord,  
So even in one and justly they accord,  
It would an heart ravyshe into joy.  
And when they weren entered into Troy,  
amid his palace Pryamus alight.  
And then anon as fast as ever he might,  
Into a chamber rich and well besey,  
The queen Heleyne in haste he doth convey.  
Commanding eft with heart will & thought,  
His officers that her fail nought,  
Of any thing that she can bethyncke.  
The spices parted anon the wine they drink.  
And than the king took leave till supper,  
And she there whiles changeth her attire.  
¶ But of the joy that was in the town,  
In every place where men went up & down,  
I am to rude soothly all to write.  
So much in heart the Trojans them delight,  
That safe and sound returned in Paris.  
They wend have been for joy in paradise,  
That he so well sped in his journey.  
And hath not one lost of his main.  
Whereof they be in heart glad and light.  
And in all haste after the next night,  
As write Guydo without tarrying long,  
early the morrow before the lark song,  
In Pallas temple as mine auctor saith,  
Assured was by oath and eke by faith,  
The bond of wedlock of him and of Heleine,  
For evermore to last atwixte them twain.  
The knot is knit of this sacrament.  
And thus was done fully by th'assent,  
First of the king and also by th'advise,  
Of all the City in favour of Paryse.  
And so the feast and great solemnity,  
Continued was with much royalty,  
Of this wedding in mirth and solace,  
Through the town by eight days space.  
What should I write the revel or the dances,  
The fresh array or the countenances,  
The school touches the looks amorous,  
The prive grudge of them that were jealous,  
The great jousts boards or tornaye,  
amid palestre with many sundry play,  
The divers courses eke at every feast,  
The large plenty done to most and lest,  
The strange meats the manner of service.  
I have none english all for to device,  
I pass it over for I was not there.  
¶ But when this wedding came unto the ere,  
Of Cassandra and first it did espy,  
A thousand sith alas she 'gan to cry,  
Of piteous woe with untressed hairs.  
And said thus albe spreynte with tears.  
O wretched Troy erring in this case,  
Within thyself to suffer this trespass,  
For to consent unto such folly,  
In sustaining of foul avouterye,  
That Paris should taken unto wife,  
The queen Heleyne whose husband is alive,  
Oh woeful Troy to cruel is thy fate,  
For to beware it is almost to late.  
The time is come thou shalt destroyed be,  
For many father shall his son see,  
Hole on the morn that shallbe slain or eve.  
amids the field that will him sore grieve.  
And many wife shall carefully beweep,  
To see her husband with large wounds deep.  
Gryde through the body pale cold and green  
Alas how shall ye the sorrow mow sustain.  
¶ Ah wretched mothers how shall ye endure,  
To see your children by cruel adventure,  
Afore you slain withouten remedy.  
It will not help though ye clepe and cry.  
¶ Ah mother mine Hecuba the queen,  
How shalt thou bide the sharp stounds keen,  
Thy worthy sons to see afore the slawe.  
And in the field by cruelty ydrawe.  
¶ Ah blind people of death thou takest no heed,  
Why nylte thou work and do after my read,  
And in this case more prudent be and wise,  
To take away this Heleyne fro Paris,  
As right requireth withouten any more,  
And to her lord justly her restore.  
¶ What trowen ye his theft & cruel deed,  
Shall pass thus nay nay withouten dread,  
The sword of vengeance shall full sharply bite  
For his offence and we shall bear the wite.  
Paleys and house to see within a throw,  
And towers high laid on the earth allow.  
Alas alas I say to the Heleyne,  
Unhappy woman causer of our pain.  
Hard, unsilly, and also gracelese,  
Vnwealfull woman disturbler of our peace.  
Thou hast us brought in mischief & in were,  
Kindled a bronde to burn us all yfeare.  
Alas thou art the ground and root of all,  
Of many dreary feast funeral.  
That shall behold among us in this town.  
And in this wise Cassandra up and down,  
About ran in subarde and in street,  
And crieth in one whom ever that she meet,  
Full oft sith alas and wellaway.  
Till Pryamus because of her affray,  
And for the noise that she as tho did make,  
Without abode anon he doth her take,  
And bound her fast and fettered in prison,  
Without mercy or remission:  
They took no heed to her sad truth,  
Nor to her words it was the more ruth.  
But shut her up in bonds great and strong,  
Without pity where she abide long.  
And thus in prison a while I let her morn,  
And to the greeks I will again return.   

th'unhappy time & in the same while,  
That false fortune friendly 'gan to smile,  
Upon Trojans and bade them to be merry,  
For which highly they 'gan their god's hery  
weening with joy to have assured weal,  
Nothing adverting the turning of the wheel,  
Of her that lasteth stable but a throw.  
When men most trust her she can make a mow  
Turn her forehead and her face writhe,  
Such joy she hath her doubleness to kythe.  
And to wrap her clearness under cloud,  
Against whose might there may no man him shroud  
When most she flattereth them is she lest to triste,  
For in her joy the Trojans little wist,  
What she hath mente to their confuciowne.  
For while that they about in all the town,  
Wend of greeks have gotten full recure,  
Of their damages and to have be sure,  
Through thilk prey the Paris had them won.  
The wicked fame and rumour is yronne,  
With swift wingꝭ of all that they have wrought,  
To Menelay the fydynges were ybrought,  
Whiles he abode with Nestor at Pirrha,  
first of the temple in Cythera,  
How it was spoiled and the robbery,  
Of gold and treasure and the tyranny,  
Upon his men by Trojans execute,  
Both of assailing and of all the suit,  
That on the greeks they made cruelly,  
And how that they ne spared utterly,  
Man nor woman that came in their way,  
That they ne took and lad as for pray,  
To their ships. also of the fight,  
Afore the Castle that was on the night.  
¶ And alder last he heareth of his wife,  
Whom he loved as dearly as his life,  
More tenderly god wot a thousand fold.  
For whom at heart he waxed is as cold,  
As any stone and thereto pale of hew,  
His hearty woe so inly 'gan renew.  
That first when he hard her name sown,  
Without more anon he fell in sown,  
For he ne might endure for to stand.  
Till that duke Nestor took him by the hand,  
And him adawed of his deadly swowe.  
Alas quoth he why have I lost and how,  
My lives lust my hearts suffisance.  
Ah death come now & make of my grievance,  
Fully an end with thy cruel dart.  
That wounded am through on every part,  
My heart also corn in every vain,  
For you my wife for you mine own Heleine  
That be deforced fro me wellaway.  
Farewell my joy farewell my old play.  
Now have strangers of you possession.  
Which will to me be full confusion.  
Alas I not how they cherish or treat,  
My fair Heleyne that were to me so sweet.  
Now ye are gone pensyfnesse me sleath,  
I may not wait now but after death.  
And after this amid in all his woe,  
This Menelay shope him for to go,  
To his reign but little there beside.  
He asketh horse and said how he would ride,  
Sole to complain of that he felt him grieve,  
But all this while Nestor will not leave,  
To go with him for consolation.  
Of friendly right having compassion,  
Him to comfort with all his full might.  
Leading with him many a worthy knight.  
Into the reign of this Menelaus.  
¶ Than first of all the story telleth us,  
How they sent for king Agamenon.  
And for Castor to come to him anon.  
And for Pollux if it might so be,  
And when that they comen were all three,  
And saw their brother in such mischief brought  
Almost murdered with his own thought,  
Without abode the wise Agamenon,  
To give him hoop and consolation,  
Did his labour and diligence enter.  
saying to him as ye shall after here,  
¶ Oh brother mine, what woe, what heaviness,  
What deadly sorrow thus inly may oppress,  
Your knightly heart or trouble your manhood.  
More furiously ywys than it is need.  
For though that right required utterly,  
You for to sorrow and hadden cause why,  
Yet me seemeth by just providence,  
Ye slily should dissimule your offence.  
Sith each wise man in his adversity,  
Should fame cheer and keepen in secree,  
The inward woe that bynt him in distress.  
By manly force rathest there compesse,  
The spirit of Ire and melancholy,  
Where the people might it not espy.  
The doctrine of them that be prudent,  
Than when a man with fury is to rend,  
To feign cheer till time he see leisure,  
That he of vengeance kyndell may the fire.  
For sorrow out showed if I shall not fain,  
Who so taketh heed it doth things twain,  
It causeth friends for to sigh sore,  
And his enemies to rejoice the more.  
Thy friend in heart is sorry of nature,  
Thine enemy glad of thy misadventure.  
Wherefore in heart when woe doth most habounde  
Feigneth gladness thine enemy to confound,  
And show in cheer as thou roughtest nought.  
Of that most is grievous in thy thought.  
And where thou haste most matter to complain,  
Make there good face & glad in port the feign.  
For into tears though thou all distylle,  
And rend thyself as thou wouldest the spill,  
It helpeth not to a ledge thy grievance.  
For honour neither pursuit of vengeance,  
With sorrow making mow be execute.  
Though it last ay there cometh thereof no fruit,  
Men say how he that can dissimule a wrong,  
How he is slyghe and of heart strong.  
And who can be peaceable in his smart,  
It is a token he hath a manly heart.  
Not to weep as women in their rage,  
Which is contrary to an high courage.  
With word & weeping for to avenge our pain,  
And no means to worship to attain,  
Let us with sword & not with words fight.  
Our tongue appease, by manhood prove or might.  
word is but wind and water that we weep.  
And though the tempest and of floods deep,  
Of this two increase ever more,  
They may not do but augment our wo.  
And to our soon thereof when they here,  
Both of our dole and our heavy cheer,  
All is to them but increase of joy,  
Wherefore brother a while do acoye,  
The cruel torment that bindeth you so sore,  
For in proverb it hath be said full yore.  
That the prowess of a manly knight,  
Is proved most in mischief and his might.  
To be assured in adversity,  
Strongly sustain what woe that it be,  
Not cowardly his courage to submit,  
In every peril nor his honour flit.  
Through no despair but hope always weal,  
And have a trust true as any steel.  
Tacheve ay what he take an hand,  
For finally I do you understand,  
That of himself who hath good fantasy,  
To set upon and put in inpartye,  
What that befall or hap what hap may,  
taking what chance turneth on his play,  
The fine of such gladly is victory.  
They fail seld of the palm of glory.  
And time is now to speak in words few,  
Oh brother mine manhood for to show.  
To pluck up heart and to make you strong,  
And to venge your damages and wrong.  
We shall echyone help and lay to hand,  
Kings, Dukes, and lords of this land.  
And all at once do our business,  
I you behyght your harms to redress.  
And in despite who that ever us let,  
We shall us lodge and our tents set.  
Even in the field afore Troy town.  
And it beseage to their destruction.  
Albe thereof I set as now no day.  
But brother first in all the haste we may,  
Let maken letters without more sermon,  
To all the lords of this region,  
Of matter touching this your villainty.  
To come together and shape a remedy,  
This is th'effect of all that I can say.  
¶ And thus released somewhat of the pain,  
Is Menelays through comfort of his brother,  
For when he saw it might be none other,  
And of his tale the king made an end,  
Through out the land he did his letters send.  
first to her kin and to his ally,  
To come to help him of their courtesy.  
¶ And first of all to Menelaus,  
Came Achilles and with him Patroclus.  
And alder next the strong diomed,  
And many another to help in this need.  
And all eachone in open Parliament,  
They were accorded full by assent,  
To be governed as Agamenon,  
List to ordain in his discretion.  
Of this voyage they made him governor,  
And of their host chieftain and Emperor.  
Among them all there was full unity,  
Upon Trojans avenged for to be.  
And from this purpose never to remove,  
But first I find Paris for to sew,  
The voyage took the worthy brethren tweine,  
Pollux and Castor to recure Heleyne.  
Yet nevertheless as some books listen tell,  
That these kings no longer would dwell,  
But alder fast as Paris was agone,  
They took a ship and followed him anon.  
With many worthy in their company,  
And doubtless but if old books lie,  
That or they had sailed days three,  
To Troyewarde in the large see,  
The tempest rose and winds did awake,  
The heaven dark with the clouds black,  
That have the day turned into night.  
And bright Phoebus was mirked of this light  
The fiery lenen and stroke of the thunder,  
Smote in the mast and shyverde it a sunder.  
It was so dark no light might adawe,  
The sea 'gan swell with many sturdy wawe.  
That rose on hight large as any mount,  
And fell down and swapped in the frounte,  
Even of the ship and plunged it full low.  
Now up now down forecast and overthrow,  
Their ships were with tempest to and fro.  
The foamy waters green, white, and blo,  
Of fervent boiling and as pitch black,  
With storm & wind that all goeth to wrack.  
So hideously the blasts at them drive,  
That every board 'gan from other rive.  
And all is perished there scaped not a man.  
But all at once as I rehearse can,  
Be dead & drowned with tempest suddenly,  
There scaped none I say you certainly.  
Except the brethren such as books tell,  
The one in heaven the other low in hell,  
Were lords made tabyde eternally.  
¶ And some fain in their poesy,  
How the gods have them defied,  
Like in heaven and ystellifyed.  
After their ships ware ygo to wreck.  
They were made stars in the zodiac.  
And to the sign transformed utterly,  
Which is of clerks called Gemyny.  
The which sign and constellation,  
Is to Mercury house and mansion.  
And is of kind femell and masculine,  
In which the Eagle and also the dolphin,  
Have their arising by revolution,  
The tail also above the Dragon,  
Is exaltate in the third degree,  
Of Gemyny which sign hath most pouste,  
In hand and arms of man out of doubt,  
Like as Lucina halt her course about.  
And in this wise were the brother twain,  
To heaven rapt as these poets feign.  
After the tempest ye get no more of me.  
For in this wise the greeks in the sea,  
An end made and that full wilfully.  
This earnest first came unhappily,  
To them eachone as beginning of their woe,  
And final chance to the brother two.    

¶ How the Greeks assembled to be advenged of that Troyans' for the ravishing of Helein. Ca xv  
But for asmuch as Dares frigius,  
Was in his book whilom curious,  
The form of Troiens & greeks to descrive  
Like as he saw this author by his live,  
The shape the form & complexiowne,  
Both of the party of them of Troy town,  
And of the greeks by good advisement,  
In time of truce among them as they went,  
Seeing the manner of their governance,  
Their port their cheer with every circumstance,  
Namely of though that were of high degree.  
He not forgot one lose nor quality,  
Conditions and also their stature,  
All to describe Dares did his cure.  
In greekish tongue beginning at Heleyne.  
Like as tofore ye have herd me say.  
Of her beauty and her seemliness,  
How seriously Guido doth express,  
Save he said as in a little space,  
A stripe there was endlong in her face,  
Which as he write became her wonder weal.  
Embelyshing her beauty everydele.  
Like as Dares maketh desription.  
¶ And first he sayeth how king Agamenon,  
Was of good shape and high of his stature,  
And might in labour at the best endure.  
unpatient to live in quiet,  
He was to arms so equal and so meet,  
Of colour white and good proportion,  
And flemytek of his complexion.  
Discrete and hardy and wonder virtuous,  
And of speech right facundious.  
And could him well in every thing demean,  
¶ But Menelay of stature was but mean.  
Proportioned atwix short and long,  
Worthy in arms deliver and right strong.  
Of courage and of heart vigorous,  
Seemly also and aye more desirous,  
To live in were rather than in peace.  
¶ And furthermore to speak of Achilles,  
He was right fair and of great seemliness.  
With aborne heir crisping for thickness.  
With eyen glawke, large, steep, and great,  
& shuldred broad with breast full square & meet,  
To endure in arms fell and courageous.  
And of his look wonder amorous.  
High of stature and large of gifts eke,  
And more of strength than any other Greek.  
And to spend he set little charge,  
He was of heart so plenteous and large.  
And in the field passing chivalrous.  
¶ And for to tell forth of Tantalus,  
Of sanguine hew having much of reed,  
diverse eyed aye moving in his head.  
Of huge making also & of great strength,  
Well answering his breed to his length.  
hating to strive where he saw no need,  
Right true of word also as I read,  
And never quarrel would he take on hand,  
To fight for but he might understand,  
That it were fully grounded upon right.  
And than he would quite him like a knight.  
¶ Cilcus Ajax's was right corpulent,  
To be well clad he set all his intent,  
In rich array he was full curious.  
Although he were of body corsyous,  
Of arms great with shoulders square & broad,  
It was of him almost a horse load.  
High of stature and boisterous in a pres,  
And of his speech rude and reckless.  
Full many word in idle him asterte,  
And but a coward was he of his heart.  
¶ An other Ajax's Thelamonyous,  
There was also discrete and virtuous,  
Wonder fair and seemly to behold,  
Whose heir was black & upward aye 'gan fold.  
In compass wise round as any sphere,  
And of music was there none his peer.  
Having a voice full of melody.  
Right well entuned as by harmony.  
And was inventive for to counterfeit,  
Instruments aswell small as great,  
In sundry wise longing to music,  
And for all this yet had he good practic,  
In arms eke and was a noble knight,  
No man more orped nor hardy for to fight.  
Nor desirous for to have victory,  
devoid of pomp hating all vainglory,  
All idle laud spent and blow in vain.  
¶ Of ulyxes what shall I also say,  
That was so noble and worthy in his days,  
Full of wiles and sleighty at assays.  
In meaning double and deceivable,  
To forge a leysing also wonder able.  
With face plain he could make it tough,  
Merry worded and but seld loughe.  
In counselling discreet and right prudent,  
And in his time the most eloquent.  
And holp to Greeks often in their need.  
¶ And for to speak of worthy Diomedes,  
Full well compact and grow well in length,  
Of sturdy port and famous eke of strength.  
Large breasted and fierce also of sight,  
And deceivable of what ever he height.  
Hasty testyf to smite reckless,  
And meddling aye and but seld in peace.  
To his servants full impatient,  
And baraytous where that so ever he went.  
For little worth of disposition,  
And lecherous eke of complexion.  
And had in love oft sith his part,  
Brenning within of Cupydes fiery dart.  
And speechless full oft felt he his sore.  
¶ What shall I say eke of Duke Nestore,  
Of long stature and well compact withal,  
With corbe shoulders and of middle small.  
In hands strong with arms large & round  
In counsaling prudent and wise yfounde.  
Whose words were sugared with pleasance,  
Upon his friend having aye remembrance.  
For of his truth he ne could feign.  
But in anger he might him not refrain.  
He was so fret with melancholy,  
That no man might his ire modify.  
Albe it last but a little space,  
Who could him suffer anon it would place.  
Lightly it came and lightly went away.  
¶ And Prothesalyus that fresh was of array,  
Wonder seemly and of great beauty,  
I trow a fairer might no man see.  
Of good stature deliver and full light.  
No man swifter and to speak of might,  
Of his making he was passing strong.  
Fierce of courage and loath to take a wrong.  
¶ And to tell of Neptolomus,  
He was of making wonder corsyous.  
Whose heir was black shining as doth get,  
With eyen round broad and thereto great,  
Large breasted with a rising back,  
And in speech stamerd when he spacke.  
But in causes he could meddle weal.  
And in the law full deep he did feel.  
For all his lust was beset on pleas.  
¶ But for to tell of Pallamides.  
King Naulus son withouten any ween,  
Of face fair of body long and leanly.  
Of manful heart hardy in battle,  
And desirous his enemy to assail.  
familiar courteous and thereto right treatable,  
In all his deeds and inly worshipable.  
In giving large and passing of great fame,  
Of whose bountiful wide sprang the name,  
In many land the story telleth thus.  
¶ And next I find of Polydamus,  
The worthy Greek was of great thickness,  
Of womb swolle enbossed with fatness.  
That uneath he might himself sustain,  
And yet of heart he was full proud & keen,  
Right surquidrous and full of pensyfenesse,  
And seld glad so thought did him oppress.  
¶ But Machaon like as write Guydo,  
Of long and short was betwixt two.  
Full proud and fierce devoid of patience,  
And vengeable who him did offence.  
And yet he was as bald as is a coote.  
On whose forehead even by the root,  
The heir was fallen & wasted clean away.  
And seld or never he would sleep a day.  
¶ And overmore to tell of Crysyde,  
Stumbleth my pen for long or she died,  
My master Chauncer did his diligence,  
As to describe the great excellence,  
Of her beauty and that so maysterly,  
To take on me it were but high folly:  
In any wise to add more thereto.  
For well I wot anon as I have do,  
That I in sooth no thank deserve may:  
By cause that he in writing was so gay.  
And but I write I must the truth leave,  
Of Troy book and my matter breve.  
And over pass and not go by and by,  
As doth Guydo in order seriously.  
And that I must done offention,  
Through negligence or presumption,  
So am I set even amids twain,  
Great cause have I & matter to complain.  
On Atropos that through her envy,  
though broke the thread and made for to die,  
Noble Galfryde chief Poet of britain.  
Among our English that caused first to rain,  
The golden drops of Rhetoric so fine.  
Our rude language only tenlumine,  
To god I pray that he his soul have.  
After whose help of need I must crave.  
And seek his book that is left behind,  
Some goodly word therein for co find,  
To set among the crooked lines rude,  
Which I do write as by similitude,  
The ruby stant so royal of renown,  
Within a ring of copper or latowne.  
So stant the making of him doubtless,  
Among our books of english peerless.  
They be full easy known so they be excellent.  
There is no making to his equipolent.  
We do but halt who so taketh heed,  
That meddle of making without any dread.  
When as we would his style counterfeit.  
We may alday our colour grind and beat,  
Tempre our asour and vermilyon,  
But all I hold but presumption,  
It followeth not therefore I let be.  
And first of all I will excuse me,  
And proceed as I have erst begun,  
And through his favour certain if I con.  
Of Troy book for to make an end.  
And there I left I will again now wend.  
Unto Crisyde and though to my succour,  
Of rhetoric that I have no flower,  
Nor hews rich stones nor yet perre,  
But all bare of curyosytye,  
Though crafty speech to enbroude with her sleeve,  
Yet for all that now I will not leave,  
But be as ay bold bayard is the blind,  
That cast no peril what way that he find,  
Right so will I stumble forth of haed.  
For unconning and take no better heed,  
So as I can her beauty to describe,  
That was in sooth of all though alive,  
One of the fairest this Calchas daughter dear  
Thereto of shap of face and of cheer,  
There might be no fairer creature,  
Of high nor low but mean of stature.  
Her sonnishe heir like Phoebus in his sphere,  
Bound in a tress brighter than gold wyere,  
Down at her back low down behind,  
Which with a thread of gold she would bind.  
Full oft sith of a customaunce,  
Thereto she had so much suffisance,  
Of kinds work without any were,  
And save her brows joined were yfere,  
No man could in her a lack espyen.  
And furthermore to speak of her eyen,  
They were so heavenly piercing and so clear,  
That an heart ne might himself steer,  
Again her shining that they ne wound would,  
Throughout a breast god wot & make it yold  
Also she was for all her seemliness.  
simple and wise and full of soberness,  
The best nourished that eke might be,  
Goodly of speech fulfilled of pity.  
Facundious and thereto right treatable,  
And as saith Guydo in love variable.  
Of tender heart and unsteadfastness,  
He her accuseth and newfanglynesse.  
¶ And after this Dares doth rehearse,  
amongs other how the king of pierce,  
Came to greeks with many worthy knight,  
To help and further all that ever he might.  
The which king was of stature long,  
And wonder fat & as he write right strong.  
Whose beard and heir red as flawme of fire.  
With eyen stepe and fervent of desire,  
To have ado and stern of cheer and look,  
And oft scythes of sudden ire he quoke.  
And had wertes plenty in his face.  
¶ And thus Dares shortly for to pace,  
No more of Greeks writeth as I find.  
But of Troyans' for to make mind,  
seriously he doth his style dress,  
Them to describe as I shall express.   

¶ The description of Priam, his sons and daughters & of the arrival of the greeks tofore the Temple of Diane the goddess. Ca xvi.  

ANd first he sayeth how king Pryamus,  
Was of his cheer bening & gracious.  
Of stature high with limbs slander & long,  
delighting much in music and in song.  
And specially was most desirous,  
To hear songs that weren amorous,  
A seemly man and of great hardiness,  
And spoke but low as books us express,  
devoid of dread hating flattery,  
And all that could other gloze or lie,  
True of his word and to every wight,  
He did plainly equity and right.  
For no meed him list not to decline,  
And loved early on morrow for to dine.  
In his time one of the worthiest,  
Of all kings and he that loved best,  
Worthy knights & all that ever he knew,  
That manful were and of heart true.  
He could cherish no man half so weal,  
With gold and gifts that they might feel,  
His great freedom and largesse eke withal.  
¶ And of his sons for to reckon all,  
The first of birth so as books tell,  
Was worthy Hector of knighthod spring & well  
Flower of manhood of strength peerless,  
Sad discrete and prudent nevertheless.  
Crop and root ground of chivalry,  
Of cheer demure and of courtesy,  
He was example thereto of soberness:  
A very mirror and for his gentleness,  
In his time and thereto most renowned,  
To reckon all and of goodlyhead.  
The most famous in peace and were.  
Whose fame stretched both to nigh and far,  
On each part he was so virtuous.  
And to be loved most gracious.  
Of brawn and bones compact by measure,  
So well breathed in arms to endure.  
So well performed by proporciowne,  
So quick so lively and of most renown.  
So huge made so well grown of length,  
So well complete for to have great strength▪  
That in this world if I shall not feign,  
Was never none that fully might attain,  
To the prows of this worthy knight  
To praise his heart as well as his might.  
And therewithal so wise and advysee,  
The lowliest eke of his degree.  
To rich and poor and of words few,  
Unto all such cheer he could show,  
Of his presence that glad was every wight.  
When they at leysur had of him a sight.  
He was so bening to them of the town,  
And to his enemies like a fierce lion.  
He could him show when it was to do.  
And in the field there might no man so.  
To reckon all his labour half endure.  
For the story doth us plyan assure,  
That he was never weary in battle,  
Nor faint in heart his foemen to assail.  
Of all good I find he was the best.  
Prowess & virtue in him were set at rest.  
So passingly that never was or shall,  
None bore of mother so perigal,  
To him of manhood nor of chivalry:  
For all he passed but if books lie.  
In whom nature ne was nothing to wite,  
Save in his tongue he was let a light.  
And as some auctors make mention,  
He was sanguine of complexion.  
¶ And furthermore his brother Deiphobus,  
Like as I find and also Helenus,  
Were like Priam that soothly of them three,  
Was hard to espy any diversity,  
Of shape or form or of countenance,  
Save of age there was no variance.  
Their father old & they were young & light,  
And in Deiphobus was a worthy knight.  
And in arms fame and excellence,  
And Helenus in clergy and science,  
Was well expert and took but little heed,  
Of all the were knighthod and manhood.  
¶ But soothly Troilus if I shall descrive,  
There was of heart no manlyer alive.  
Nor more likely in arms to endure.  
Well grown of height and of great stature.  
young, fresh, lusty, hardy as a Lion,  
Deliver and strong as any champion.  
And perigal of manhood and of deed,  
He was to any that I can of read.  
In derring do this noble worthy wight,  
For to fulfil that longeth to a knight.  
Te second Hector for his worthiness,  
He called was and for his high prowess.  
During the were he bore himself so weal,  
Thereto in love true as any steel.  
Secret and wise steadfast of courage,  
The most goodly also of visage,  
That might be and most benign of cheer,  
Without change and of one heart entere.  
He was always faithful just and stable,  
perseverant and of will immutable.  
Upon what things he once set his heart,  
That doubilnesse might him dot pervert.  
In his deeds he was so hole and plain,  
But of his soon the sooth for to say,  
He was so fierce they might him not withstand,  
When that he held his bloody sword in hand.  
Unto Greeks death and confusion,  
To them of Troy shield and protection.  
And his knighthod shortly to account,  
There might in manhood no man him surmount.  
Through the world though men woulden seek,  
To reckon all Trojan neither greek.  
None so named of famous hardiness,  
As books old of him do bear witness.  
Except Hector there ne was such an other.  
¶ And after him to speak of his brother,  
I mean Paris most passing of beauty,  
That in this world no man might see,  
In very sooth a more seemly knight,  
For as I read that he by title of right,  
Of fairness bore aye away the flower.  
With locks yellow like gold as of colour,  
And in shooting most was his delight,  
Having in hunting a full great appetite.  
And as Dares liketh him descrive,  
The best archer one that time alive.  
And of his hand was eke a noble knight.  
A manly man deliver and of good might.  
And in the were proved well he was.  
¶ And as I read the Trojan Aeneas,  
As mine Author lysteth to indite,  
Was well breasted and of body light.  
And bare in Troy wonder great estate.  
And in his works discrete and temperate.  
And had a fame of passing eloquence,  
Wise of counsel and of great sapience.  
Most renowned also of lecture,  
delighting much in books and scripture.  
And ever glad both of port and cheer,  
Stern of his look with piercing eyen clear.  
And among all dwelling in the town,  
To speak of goods and possessyowne,  
Of castles and Towers great plenty,  
I find soothly that none in that City,  
Ne might attain unto his richesse.  
And had also for all his worthiness,  
Of gold and jewellꝭ passing great treasure.  
¶ And his fellow that height dan Antenor,  
Was slender long and of great dalliance.  
And circumspect in all his governaance.  
Well-beloved also of Pryamus,  
And of words wonder copious.  
Resowning ay into mirth and play.  
And he was boverding all the long day.  
amongs his feres and in company,  
So dryely that no man might espy.  
So sober he was in his countenance.  
That every wight had great pleasance,  
To hear him talk when that he was glad.  
And albeit that he of port was sad,  
Yet all his speech full of boverdes was,  
¶ And his son called polidamas,  
Was like his father of stature and of make.  
Ythewed well that there was no lack,  
In his person gentle and right true,  
Wonder strong and pale also of hew.  
And to ire steered suddenly.  
Albe in words he kept covertly,  
But all his heat pass would anon.  
¶ And to tell of king Mereone,  
Large breasted and of his making all,  
The best compact & the most tall,  
Of shape and form that men could find,  
And eke so well performed up by kind,  
That none was like to him nigh ne far.  
His locks yellow and crisping was his hear.  
Still of his port and gentle with to play,  
And inly strong maistryes to assay.  
Wonder courtesy to no wight rigorous,  
And wrought in arrives deeds marvelous.  
As in this book hereafter shallbe seen.  
¶ Now after him Hecuba the queen,  
Like the story my style I must incline.  
Whose limbs all rather did decline.  
To shape of man than to womanhood,  
As saith Guydo. but in work and deed,  
She was in sooth the most womanly,  
The best advised and most prudently,  
In her deeds could herself govern,  
That man's wit might in no wise discern,  
To find a better doubtless than was she.  
So true example of femynyte.  
She was in sooth and to every wight,  
benign of port and gracious of sight.  
To poor also piteous and merciable,  
And unto needy wonder charitable,  
The wife of Hector her daughter eke in law  
After her lore seemed much to draw,  
Andromecha the faithful true wife.  
So good, so just, the which in all her life,  
In honest did aye her most delight.  
Long of her shap with breasts fair & white.  
With ruddy cheeks ennewed by measure,  
With piercing eyen of angelic figure.  
leek gold her tresses and rosin lips red,  
Ylyche fresh, of colour nothing dead.  
Thereto she was of cheer the goodliest,  
To rich and poor and spoke alway the best,  
Of every one aye helping that she might,  
That no man heavy went out of her sight,  
And over this every gentleman,  
She further would in all that ever she can.  
And gladly ever did her diligence,  
To get grace to them that did offence.  
This was her usage and condition,  
She was so filled of compassion.  
That women all might of her lere.  
¶ And Cassandra her own daughter dear,  
Was of stature wonder womanly.  
Of colour white and therewith right seemly.  
Save in her face in sundry places were,  
Many wertes growing here and there.  
And all her joy and felycytee,  
Was to keepen her virginity.  
In freelte that women have of kind,  
Through virtue moral she put out of mind.  
And of all folly fleeing occasion,  
So aye in study and contemplation,  
Of sundry books she would her occupy.  
But most of all to know astronomy.  
¶ Of prophecy a spirit also had she,  
And some men say she was one of three,  
Of thilk women that Cebyle bore the name.  
Of whom the renown flowereth and the fame,  
Unto this day and is as yet full green.  
¶ And to tell of young Polycene,  
And to describe her beauty up and down,  
It were in sooth a foul presumpciowne,  
To take on me now so great a thing,  
To climb so high it passeth my cunning.  
Sith nature hath in forging of this maid  
Her cunning all utterly assayed.  
To make her fair above each creature.  
¶ And said proudly see how I nature,  
When that my list enbellyshe can my work.  
Like as Phoebus among the clouds dark,  
Is passing clear so in comparison,  
I can my work and operation,  
Right as me list adorn and make fair.  
So paint and flourish it shall not appair.  
And my colours so craftily dispose,  
Of the lily and of the fresh rose,  
And so ennewe them that they shall not fade.  
But aye be one and in this wise I made,  
My dear daughter as ye know whom I mean.  
The young fresh and fair Polycene.  
Askaunse that none can this craft but I,  
This in her work boasted utterly,  
Nature herself when she this may wrought.  
As she that fully in her heart thought,  
Above all other to maken her excel.  
And of beauty to be the very well.  
And therewithal in shap nor in stature,  
Ne was no lack I dare you well assure.  
And god above gave her sovereignty,  
In all thews and would she should be,  
Crop and root named of womanhood,  
With fulsomeness of all goodlihead.  
So passingly that it were idleness,  
Me to presume in words to express,  
Her beauty all it were a vain travail.  
For well I wot mine english would fail.  
In such matter to talk felingely,  
Who ever can it certain it am not I.  
Therefore I pass and straight now will I go,  
To my matter for Dares of no more,  
In all his book maketh menciowne,  
Of them of grece nor of Troy town.  
In special he put no more in mind,  
Than ye have herd save as ye shall find,  
In this story when it cometh thereto,  
Of their knighthod & who that best hath do,  
Lasting the siege the manner everydeal,  
And right anon to sharp my poyntell,  
I will me dress this story to entreat,  
Of all the were and to tell you the great.   

THe time nigheth after this as yore,  
The breme winter with his trostꝭ hoar,  
'Gan to assuage of his bitter cold.  
When Apollo passed was the hold,  
Of the sign that we call Aquarye.  
And in the fish far in february,  
Yronne was toward the Ariete.  
And that season with his faint heat,  
On hills high 'gan his beams smite.  
Making the snow with fair flakes white,  
Into water kindly to relent.  
Which from above to the valley went.  
That near floods of the sudden thou,  
The green meed 'gan to overflow.  
And the ice 'gan s●oundmele distil,  
Down fro the hight the brooks for to fill.  
With foamy streams of the wawes small,  
By broke banks as they did avail.  
When lusty Vere with his young green,  
Yrecomforted by the son sheen,  
Which little and little his hews still amendeth,  
Ayein his sphere as Titan up ascendeth.  
When March approacheth & branches over all,  
'Gan blow out and Equinoctial,  
Of Vere is hallowed the season amorous,  
When the Greeks proud and courageous,  
With hole the flower of the chivalry,  
Assembled were and holy their navy.  
In the haven that was most of fame,  
And of Athenes that time bore the name.  
Ygathered was by assent eachone,  
Towadre Troy to sail and to gone,  
So great a number that sith the world begun,  
Is remembered of no manner man.  
That together in one company,  
Was met yfeare so passing a navy.  
Of manly men who so list take heed,  
In this story as ye shall after read.  
And by and by to make description.  
¶ Mine author telleth how Agamemnon,  
The worthy king an hundred shippꝭ brought,  
With worthy knights stuffed as then aught.  
¶ And Menelay on whom lay most the charge  
Hath with him brought sixty ships large.  
Out of his land that called is Sperten.  
¶ And from Boece full of manly men,  
Came fifty ships the story telleth thus,  
With Prothenor and with Achelaus.  
¶ And from the land called Sithemenye,  
Came sixty ships in the company,  
Of the Duke that height Achalaphus,  
With whom was eke fresh and desirous,  
Helmyus the Earl the worthy knight.  
¶ And thirty ships enarmed for to fight,  
With him brought the king Epistrophus.  
Only with help of king Thedius.  
¶ And Thelamon whom Ajax's men call,  
Full renowned for to reckon all,  
Hath fifty ships brought to his journey.  
From Salerne his royal chief City.  
With Earl's Dukes & many worthy knight,  
everich of them in steel armed bright.  
¶ And Duke Tenter with Amphiacus,  
Earl Daryon and noble Theseus.  
This ilk four full worthy of renown,  
In this voyage came with Thelamowne.  
¶ And old Nestor cruel of heart & thought,  
Out of Pylon hath thirty ships brought.  
¶ The king of Dyames that full worthy was,  
And eke the king that hight also Thoas.  
Brought with them in their company,  
An hundred ships knightly for to guy.  
¶ And Thelamou called Pyleus,  
That was in arms fell and d●spytous,  
With him brought from his land so far,  
Six and thirty ships for the were.  
¶ Amphymacus and king Polibete,  
thirty ships brought to the fleet.  
From Calcedoyne and Mereon the king,  
With Ydameus had in their ledinge,  
Four score ships with them out of Crete.  
¶ And Vlixes with the greeks did mete.  
with thirty ships stuffed out of Trace.  
Towards Troy proudly for to place.  
¶ Duke Mellens full of manly men,  
Brought eke with him great ships ten.  
And moreover the duke Prothecatus.  
¶ And the duke named Prothesylaus,  
To the haven that called was Athene,  
Brought thirty shyppis enarmed bright & sheen  
From Phylyarcha the strong mighty isle.  
¶ And Machaon as Guydo doth compile,  
With his brother Polydris also,  
From their country Trycionyco,  
Brought two and twenty ships as I find.  
¶ And from Phyces as it is had in mind,  
With Achilles came thirty full by numbered.  
¶ And from Rhodon Troyans to encumber,  
Came twenty ships with king Thelapolus.  
¶ And with the duke that height Antipus,  
Out of the land that Hesyda men call,  
Of which the folk be nigh cheerless all.  
With sail crossed again the bright heaven,  
In numbered came ships eke eleven.  
And with them was of name full famous,  
The worthy duke called Amphymacus.  
¶ And Polibethes the strong mighty king,  
thirty ships brought at his coming,  
Out of Richa the noble regiowne.  
And with this king full worthy of renown,  
Was Latnisus the duke eke as I read.  
¶ And as I find the noble Diomedes,  
Of ships great I say no small barge,  
Hath with him brought fro Calidonye & Arge,  
Fourscore in numbered soothly this no tale.  
¶ And Thelemus and mighty Euryale,  
Two manly men and in arms sage,  
With diomed came in this voyage.  
¶ And Polyphebus brought ships seven.  
And Phyneus the hardy king enleven.  
¶ And Prothoylus as I can specify,  
Brought thirty ships unto this navy.  
Fro Demenesa the mighty region.  
¶ And Carpenor as made is mention,  
Brought thirty eke from Capadye his country  
A great province of which king was he.  
¶ Tricorius of Beysa lord and king,  
Brought two and twenty eke in his coming.  
And finally if I shall not lie,  
Full many ship was in this navy.  
more than Guydo maketh rehearsal,  
Toward Troy with greeks for to sail.  
For as Homer in his description,  
Of greeks ships maketh mention,  
Shortly affirming the man was never borne,  
That such a number of ships saw toforne.  
Counting the ships that Palamydes,  
Brought with him their number to increase.  
That when these lords aforesaid everichone  
Kings, dukes, and earls all in one,  
Assembled were without any ween.  
Afore the haven that called is Athene.   

THe famous king great Agamenowne,  
So wise, so worthy, & of so high renown,  
As he that was Prince and governor,  
Of greeks host anon did his labour,  
His busy cure and waker diligence,  
By high advise and inward providence,  
To deliberate wisely in this need,  
What were to do or that he proceed,  
In this matter, casting up and down,  
And revolving of high discretion,  
That he may so begin that the end,  
Conclude well that wilfulness ne shende,  
holy their purpose through no rakelnesse.  
Ne through none haste without adviseness.  
So that they may afore so wisely see,  
That finally they in felicity,  
accomplish may their purpose in certain.  
¶ And so this king upon a large plain,  
Out of the City little from the strand,  
With his lords will for nothing wonde.  
To have counsel this wise Agamenon,  
Making anon a convocation,  
Of such as were more great inspeciall.  
He sitting first in his see royal,  
And his lords everich in his see,  
Like as they were of high or low degree.  
And all tumult stinted and silence,  
Was through the press to gyne him audience,  
When he anon in full sober wise,  
Began his tale as I shall devise.   

Sires quoth he I pray you taketh heed,  
That be so noble and so renowmede.  
Both of wisdom and of worthiness,  
Of manhood eke and of high prowess.  
That of knighthood the report & the fame,  
throughout the world reboundeth to your name.  
For doubtless the flower of chivalry,  
Men may now find in this company.  
For who saw ever of manly men yfeare,  
Together met as there be now here.  
So young, so fresh, courageous also,  
So well beseen for to have a do.  
Or so likely sith the world began,  
Without raskayle so many knightly man.  
Of kings, dukes, and many an other lord,  
As be now here of will and one accord.  
And of one heart assembled in this place.  
That if fortune and gods of their grace,  
Be not behind our journey to reprove,  
We may not fail our purpose to achieve.  
For I dame him plainly in arage,  
Or worse than wood that durst this voyage,  
In any wise perturb or presume,  
To take again us either to assume,  
By might on him of malices to exscyte,  
Our worthiness were it never solyte,  
Us to provoke to Ire or do offence.  
That we ne should by mortal recompense,  
acquit his meed as it lieth in our might.  
In this assemble of many worthy knight,  
Amouges which an hundred and yet more,  
I could cheese able for to go,  
By manly force and knightly suffisance,  
To take on him for to do vengeance,  
Upon Trojans by himself alone.  
For which that we be gathered eachone,  
That with his men were sufficient,  
To execute the sum of his intent.  
And it accomblyshe in felicity,  
The cause I mean for which that all we,  
Assembled been together high and low.  
¶ And also this to you is not unknown,  
How shamefully Troyans have us grieved.  
Provoked us and wilfully ymeved,  
To rise again them to have recure of right,  
Of wrongs done with all our force & might.  
Wherefore let us by one assent and will,  
Set to have as it is right and skill.  
Redress to find of that we now complain,  
And of one heart do our busy pain,  
Upon Troyans a were for to make.  
And I suppose we shall them so awake,  
That they shall learn or we thence wend,  
To remember to the worlds end,  
Now they hereafter shall dare take an hand,  
For to presume in grece more to land.  
Or to be bold while they have life or space,  
Again greeks more to trespass.  
For whose offence as who saith do but late,  
Within our heart the deadly brenning hate,  
The fervent heat and the greedy ire,  
From day to day so setteth us a fire,  
That it reneweth the constraint of our pain.  
So inwardly that if I shall not feign,  
We must of reason of so high grievance,  
Ourself enforce for to do vengeance.  
As right requireth and our just sorrow,  
Compelleth us both at eve and morrow,  
On Troyans our harms to bewreke.  
And for to stop the tongues that so speak,  
To our reproof and to our villainy,  
We must at once shapen remedy.  
That our foen henseforth may have dread,  
For to do worse to us as god forbed.  
In time coming if through our patience,  
We likely suffer their importable offence,  
To pass forth and take of it no heed.  
Sith never yet of Greeks could I read,  
That any man did reproof to their name.  
That justly might rebound to their shame.  
Withouten this that they it quite again,  
Through their manhood so openly & plain,  
That no man might of them sayen ere this,  
In any wise or report amiss.  
¶ Ne we shall not dissimule in this case,  
With cheer oppressed nor with dreadful face,  
To let slide or lightly over go,  
The great offences that were so late ydo,  
Which might haply turn to us and ours,  
A great reproof and to our successors.  
In tune coming and shamefully bespoke,  
Now that greeks durst not be a work,  
Upon their soon the which may not be.  
I you ensure sith that all we,  
Be of one will to reform our wrong,  
And therewithal so mighty and so strong.  
That who is he that could in breed & length,  
A right rehearse our power and our strength.  
Or who durst ever our worthiness assail,  
That he ne should withouten any fail,  
Repent in heart or at the end rue.  
Save Trojans this other day of new,  
Of wilfulness in a folly rage,  
Into our land made a voyage,  
Unware of us & with their prey home went,  
The which they shall full hastily repent.  
For their trespass and great offencyowne.  
¶ For all the world knoweth up and down,  
But late a gone how greeks but a few,  
Upon Troyans their power did show.  
And slew their king called Lamedowne,  
Father to Priam now king of that town.  
And clean fordid both towers and City,  
And slew up all the commonalty.  
From greeks sword whom that them list spare,  
Those amongs us in servitude and care,  
Compleine their harm that may not be recured  
Than how may they stand full assured,  
Again us all to hold chaumpartye.  
That have so worthy in our company.  
For it is likely a thousand to achieve,  
That four or five so lightly might prove.  
And yet one thing affirm well I dare,  
Of our coming Troyans are well ware.  
And do their labour and their diligence,  
Against us to maken resistance.  
With all their might I know it out of doubt.  
And gather friends in countries all about,  
To help them & strength them in their need.  
Us to withstand if so they may speed.  
¶ But finally one thing I counsel,  
From this haven or we ferther sail,  
That we may be the more fortunate,  
Of one assent to make ambassyat,  
And prudently or we further wend,  
Into Delos in all haste we send.  
Which is an isle a little here beside,  
More discreetly our journey to provide.  
That we may have the better hap and grace,  
Of Apollo Patron of this place.  
To have of him if that we may speed,  
Final answer in this great need.  
Of our exployet how that it shall fall,  
If it be so ye will assenten all.  
To this counsel the most and eke the lest.  
¶ And they eachone thought for the best,  
To condescend to this conclusion:  
Without any contradiction.  
And all at once without any dread,  
To praise his counsel and his wise read,  
And thereupon distretly as they ought,  
As saith this story even thus they wrought.    

¶ How Achilles and Patroclus were sent to Delos to receive answer of god Apollo, how they should speed against the Troyans. Cap. xvii.  

AFter the time that Agamenon,  
Concluded had fully his reason,  
As ye have herd and his sentence fined,  
The greeks be of heart full inclined,  
And with one voice accorded plainly thus,  
That Achilles and also Patroclus.  
For common profit sith they were sage.  
Shall take on them the charge of this message,  
To Apollo for answer for to gone.  
And to ship they them in haste anon.  
And sail forth by the large sea,  
Toward Delos and in prosperity,  
They be arrived and ycome to land.  
The which isle as I understand,  
And as mine auctor saith without les,  
Hath his scyte amongs the Cyclades,  
Where men with rocks have so much a do,  
Amid the see called Helespontico.  
Of which isle to make description,  
I must awhile make disgressyon,  
From my matter as mine author doth,  
For in this isle Isodorus in sooth,  
rehearseth plainly how Latona the queen,  
Apollo first and diane the sheen,  
Ychilded hath by jupiter her lord.  
When he and juno were at such discord,  
As write Ovid for a little while,  
And so befell that in this little isle,  
There was a temple whilom dedicated,  
Unto Apollo and also consecrate,  
In his worship of old foundation.  
That was honoured by great devotion.  
Because Apollo with his beams clear,  
After the flood first there did appear.  
To show his horns rather there and soon.  
And eke diane that called is the moon,  
Of which showing this isle beareth the name,  
Into this day that is of so great fame.  
Only be appearing of this ilk twain,  
For Delos is in greek no more to say,  
Than a showing or an appearance.  
And thus began the great reverence,  
To Apollo first and the honour eke,  
To him ydone of so many greek.  
And to his sister that called is diane,  
The pale moon that can so wax and wane.  
And called is of paynims a goddess,  
That whilom was in wood an hunteresse.  
And this lady with the son her brother,  
Of this isle hath lordship and none other.  
Only for they at their nativity,  
showed their light first in that country.  
The which yle greeks also call,  
Ortygya in their language all.  
Because Curlewes were there first yseyne,  
For Otygyas is no more to say,  
Than a Curlewe in Grew I understand,  
For they were first engendered in that land.  
¶ And Apollo is called eke Titan,  
That in his time so moche worship won.  
Long afore or he was made a star,  
With jubiter when that he held were,  
And he also called is Phoebus,  
And of some ynamed is Phyteus',  
For of Phyton he had the victory.  
When he him sl●we to his great glory.  
The great serpent here in earth allow,  
With his arrows and his mighty bow.  
Of which conquest the great god cupid,  
Had envy and even through the side,  
He wounded him deep to the heart.  
With the arrow of gold that made him sore smart.  
And of Phyton that Phoebus made thus fine  
Came Phetonysses that can so divine,  
I mean women that be devyneresses:  
Through dead men these false sorceresses.  
As one whilom raised Samuel,  
For love of Saul the bible can you tell.  
And in his temple large long and old,  
There was a statue all of pured gold.  
Full great and high and of huge weight,  
And therein was through the devils sleight  
A spirit unclean by false illusion,  
That gave answer to every question.  
Not the idol dumb as stock or stone,  
And thus the people deceived everichone,  
Were by the fiend brought in great error.  
To do worship and such false honour,  
With sacrifice and cursed mammetry.  
And in this wise began idolatry.  
As in this place to tell I me cast.  
And eke how long it abode and sith last,  
Compendiously I purpose to describe,  
ginning and end as ye shall here blyue.  
Withouten any ambyguytee,  
For at the birth and nativity,  
Of christ Ihesu his incarnaciowne,  
All the idols burst & fell adown.  
And vanished and were brought to nought,  
When Herodes the blissful child sought,  
Through his malis and cruelty horrible,  
As holy write recordeth and the bible.  
For which pursuit and persecution,  
There did appear though by avisyon,  
An holy angel to joseph as he sleep,  
And bade him rise and also take keep,  
Unto the child and also to mary,  
And go his way or Herode him aspye.  
Into Egypt the great region.  
Like as the gospel maketh mention.  
And right anon as he came to that land,  
There was none ydol that upright might stand.  
But to shivered unto pieces small,  
This holy writ plainly and no tale.  
And was recorded first of Isaiah,  
How that our lord on an easy skaye,  
Ascend should and hold forth his weigh.  
Toward Egypt and therewithal should die,  
All mammetry and no longer dwell.  
¶ But as the jews record of Ishmael,  
That he was first that mammetry hath fond,  
And made of clay an idol with his hand.  
¶ And as paynims write and tell us,  
That alder first as Prometheus,  
That found idols shortly to conclude.  
For symulacrum cometh of similitude.  
That is nothing plainly but likeness.  
Made after man his image to express.  
Unto which paynims in their guise,  
With false honour and cursed sacrifice,  
Begun first this rite for dread of man.  
And some say how Belus first began,  
Such false worship and such mammetry.  
In their books as clerks specify.  
¶ That of Assiry was lord and governor.  
After whose death his son is in honour.  
¶ That Nynus height an image did do make  
To be worshipped only for his sake.  
All of brent gold by false effection,  
And set it up for consolation,  
And for amind and a memorial,  
Unto the which with heart will and a●l,  
Of ignorance and of fleshly love,  
He did honour as to god above.  
In his temples most of excellence.  
And made his people to do reverence,  
And said in heaven he masdefyed.  
That of no man it durst be denied.  
Till after soon but a little while,  
A wicked spirit folks to beguile,  
In this idol entered to abide,  
And gave answer upon every side,  
To the people of what them list demand.  
And they again what he will command,  
Obey fully the folk of all Assyrye.  
Which unto god did great injury.  
Making the people in such error fall,  
And some Belus, and some Bell him call.  
And some Balym, and some Belphegore,  
And fell in error always more and more.  
And Belzebub he named was also.  
Which name is made of these words two,  
Of Bel, and zebub that thus syngnyfye,  
For Bell is God, and zebub is a fly,  
Than Belzebub together specyfyes,  
joined in one the great god of flies.  
And of this feigned false idolatry,  
'Gan all the world worship mammetry.  
¶ For some Saturn god of gods all,  
'Gan in their error falsely for to call.  
That whilom was the mighty king of Crete  
And gave him name after the planet,  
That in heaven hath so large a sphere.  
And as poets in their fables lere,  
That he before through his sapience,  
Saw in his divine providence,  
How a son should of him descend.  
¶ And of juno the goddess as he wend,  
That should him plainly fro his reign expel,  
And suffer him no longer for to dwell,  
In his kingdom when he came to age.  
Whereof Saturn fill in such rage,  
That he will shape remedy therefore,  
Bidding his wife when the child were boar,  
That she to him should it bring anon.  
In stead whereof to him she brought a stone.  
To save her child she did her business,  
And this Saturn through his greediness,  
The stone devoureth in his melancholy.  
And this Saturn but if books lie,  
Had sons three a daughter and no more.  
¶ jubiter, Neptunus, and Pluto,  
But jubiter greatest was of name,  
Most renowned and worthiest of fame.  
Among paynims as it is verified.  
For they so high have him magnified,  
That they him call god of fire and air,  
Next to Saturn borne for to be heir.  
¶ And next to him in books as I read,  
Is god of battle mighty Mars the read.  
¶ And next Apollo so clear sheen and bright  
The days eye and voider of the night,  
Cherisher of fruit, herb, flower, and corn,  
The which god like as is said toforne,  
In Delos is worshipped and honoured.  
¶ And after Venus that often hath succoured  
Many lover the fair lusty queen,  
And them allege of their wounds green,  
That first was hurt with her fiery bronde,  
As she that is goddess of many land.  
And all the world hath in her demeyne,  
Fast embraced in her fiery chain.  
I mean the lady that called is Venus.  
¶ And next in order is Mercurius.  
That in speech hath most excellence,  
Of rhetoric and sugared eloquence.  
Of music song and of harmony,  
He hath lordship and hole the regal.  
¶ Next the Moon that wax can and wane.  
Called Lucyna and also eke diane,  
That in Delos hath her mansion,  
Like as tofore is maked mention,  
Now full of might now horned pale is she,  
Lady of change and mutability.  
That seld in one halt her any time.  
And so far they that be borne in her clime,  
That aye delight in things that be new,  
Whose heart is clad in many sundry hew.  
So they be divers in their affections,  
And in this wise in sundry regions,  
Of mammetry is the venom run,  
Like as clerks well devise can.  
¶ For as I find of the Mauryens,  
They worship jubam and Egypciens,  
¶ Honour ysis after their cunning.  
Whilom daughter of Inachus the king.  
That taught them first their land to ere & sow.  
And also letters for to read and know,  
And in lecture to set their business,  
For which thing they call her a goddess.  
¶ And jupiter honoured is in Crete.  
Where he whilom held his sovereign seat.  
And on them laid many divers charge,  
With Eagles beaten in his banner large.  
And he was lord of air land and see,  
His royal kingdom dividing into three.  
¶ In the highest himself doth contune,  
¶ And whole the sea he gave unto Neptune,  
And last the earth to hold his sea royal,  
¶ He gave to Pluto that god is infernal.  
And alder last when he was stellyfyed,  
This jubiter was most magnified,  
Of them of Crete about over all.  
To whom they made for a memorial,  
A large tomb and statue high aloft,  
And him honoured in their rites oft.  
With encens and with other sacrifice.  
And of this matter ferther to devise,  
The latins with their busy diligence,  
In their rites didden reverence,  
To the gods if it be credible,  
Ycalled Fawny that be invisible.  
And have their dwelling in the woods green.  
Albe that men their figure may not seen.  
¶ And of the Romans further to divine,  
They most in honour have their god Quirine.  
The which whilom as books tell us.  
amongs them was called Romulus.  
That bylte first the walls of the town,  
And from an herd he came to such renown.  
Through his manhood and his worthiness.  
The spear of whom as books say express,  
As he the head pitched in the ground,  
It 'gan anon like as it is found,  
To flourish flower and bud by miracle,  
And of nature had none obstacle,  
To wax green with fresh blomes new.  
And for the manhood that men in him knew.  
For his knighthood and his worthy fame,  
The worthy knights of Rome bore the name,  
After him and were Quirites called.  
High in heaven when that he was stalled,  
Among the gods and ydeyfied,  
And thus Romans have him glorified,  
As for their god with gold & great expenses.  
¶ And as I read the Athenienses,  
Of hole heart chosen have to serve,  
The goddess great that called is Minerva,  
And Pallas eke with her crystal shield,  
That with Neptunus even amid the field,  
Held champarty with women on her side.  
And he with men full surquedous in pride,  
Defendeth him for giving of the name,  
To Athenes a city most of fame.  
That is to say whether he or she,  
Should of right give name to the City.  
Till it befell as they 'gan to strive,  
suddenly there sprang a fair olive,  
For Pallas part green & fair blossoming,  
On the other side a well 'gan to spring,  
For him Pluto with water large and deep.  
Of which thing Apollo took good keep,  
Which in his doom was not reckless,  
And for the olive tokeneth love and pease,  
Water trouble conteck were and strife,  
He gave sentence anon diffynitife,  
How Pallas should that called is Minerva,  
The palm plainly of this strive discern.  
And she anon gave name to the town,  
And called it by high discrecyowne,  
Athenes the which in special,  
Is to say a City immortal.  
For wisdom first there began to flower,  
And for this skill this City did honour,  
Mighty Pallas goddess of science,  
And her aye most had in reverence.  
¶ And they of Pauye in all their region,  
Worship most the queen of Cithaeron,  
I mean Venus full of doubilnesse,  
Of whom afore somewhat I did express.  
And in her temple there full solemnly,  
They set her highest and most richly,  
With gold and azure her statue they do paint.  
And other colours that may never faint.  
And set her up in the highest see,  
Of all the temple that all men may see.  
And she stant naked in a wawy see,  
environ her with goddesses three,  
That be assigned with busy attendance,  
To wait on her and do her observance.  
And flowers fresh blewe, read, and white,  
Be her about the more for to delight.  
And on her head she hath a chaplet,  
Of roses read full pleasantly yset.  
And from the head down unto her foot,  
With sundry gums & ointments soot,  
She is ennoynte sweeter for to smell.  
And all aloft as these poets tell,  
By dowues white fleeing and eke sparrows,  
And her beside Cupyde with his arrows.  
Her blind soon for to hurt and dear,  
And loseth oft and smite he wot not where.  
As he must needs because he is blind,  
And thus honoured and had most in mind,  
Among this people is Venus the goddess.  
¶ And Naxyens do their business,  
To serve Bacchus the mighty god of wine,  
Whose liquor is most precious and fine,  
To recomfort hearts and to make glade,  
And to refresh hews that be fade,  
In faces pale and maketh wits sharp,  
Loseth tongues & make them loud to carp.  
And causeth them to walk at liberty,  
And to discure things that be secree.  
Without advise or discretion,  
For where as wine hath domination,  
No secretness may be kept in mewe.  
And some of them that Bacchus serve & sew,  
Among to him have such devotion,  
That they some while void of all reason,  
Hasty and wood and without all dread,  
And some also so toty in their head,  
That they are void of power and of might,  
And have no foot for to stand upright.  
And yet they be as jargaunt as a pie.  
Right pale cheered with a glasye eye.  
Full of reason till his wind be spent,  
For or woman that is vynolent,  
Is verily a beast unreasonable.  
And to my doom I hold them eke unable,  
To be accepted in any company.  
When that their tongue wadeth on the lie.  
That they ne may bring forth a word.  
¶ And thus Bacchus the strong & mighty lord,  
Full oft causeth folks for to err,  
For to debate and to maken were.  
Of hastiness where as is no need,  
Wherefore it is wisdom that men dread.  
His sleighty working or they fall in snare,  
And feeble brains by measure for to spare.  
Or they unwarely arrested be and take,  
And or Bacchus make them for to shake.  
In a fever worse than tercyen,  
If it of custom be cotydyen.  
Alterat with Bacchus mighty jous.  
And affered of turning of the house.  
And fordreynt on the dry land,  
When he hath lost the use of foot & hand.  
And with a straw playeth like an ape,  
And devoutly ginneth for to gape,  
And noddeth oft with his jowsy head,  
As he had on an heavy cap of lead.  
And who that be of this condition,  
He enter may the religion,  
Of mighty Bacchus for habylite,  
The which lord hath the sovereignty,  
Both of honey and of milk thereto.  
And of balm that is so rich also.  
And lordship hath of high power divine,  
Both of grapes and of every vine.  
Them to nourish through his influence.  
Of whom the honour and the reverence,  
Is raised most as I understand,  
amongs vynters in every manner land.  
Because he is to them so gracious.  
¶ And they of Lemnos worship Vulcanus,  
The god of fire jupiter his smith,  
The which forgeth on his black stythe,  
The great thunder hideous and horrible.  
And the levens that whilom be visible,  
Into the west out of the Orient.  
And gasteth us with his dreadful dent.  
The smotry smith this swart Vulcanus,  
That whilom in heart was so jealous,  
Toward Venus that was his wedded wife,  
Whereof there rose a deadly mortal strife,  
When he with Mars 'gan her first espy,  
Of high malice and cruel false envy.  
Through the shining of Phoebus' beams bright,  
Lying a-bed with Mars her own knight.  
For which in heart he brent as any gleed,  
Making the slander all abroad to spread.  
And 'gan thereon falsely for to muse,  
And god forbid that any man accuse,  
For so little any woman ever.  
Where love is set hard is to dissever.  
For though they do such thing of gentleness,  
Pass over lightly and bear none heaviness,  
Lest that thou be to women odious.  
And yet this smith this false Vulcanus,  
Albe that he had them thus espied,  
Among paynims yet was he defied.  
And for that he so falsely them awoke,  
I have him set last of all my book.  
Among the gods of false mammetry,  
And in this wise 'gan idolatry,  
As ye have herd through opinions,  
Of people erring in their affections.  
That all is false who the truth search.  
For by teaching of all holy church.  
By holy doctrine and traditions,  
We shall despise such opinions.  
Which of the fiend were found not of late.  
For when angels in heaven were create.  
He that of all had the prelacy.  
Of whom the prophet called Isaiah,  
Writeth right thus how the cedars green,  
Of paradise were not so fair to seen,  
Planys nor fir in height soothe to say,  
To his highness might not attain,  
Nor all the trees so delicious,  
Of paradise were not so precious,  
Nouther in sight nor in seemliness.  
To be equal to him as in fairness.  
But through his pride and his surquidrye,  
When so he said to god that sit so high,  
He will be like and also set his see,  
High in the north passing his degree.  
He was cast down with all his legions,  
From the fair heavenly mansions,  
All suddenly into the pit of hell,  
Perpetually there for to dwell.  
Of whom was said when he fell so far,  
How fell thou so O thou morrow star,  
From the mids of the stones bright,  
That be so piercing and fiery of their light.  
That whilom were for thy great brightness,  
Called Lucifer of whom Christ sayeth express,  
In his gospel how he saw fro heaven,  
Satan descend like the fiery levene.  
The old serpent that is so low yfall,  
Whom the hebrews in their tongue call,  
¶ Bemoth that doth in latin plain express,  
A beast rude full of cursedness.  
The vile serpent he Leviathan,  
Whom I sydore well describe can,  
Which of kind is never conversant,  
In wells trouble and hath most his haunt,  
amongs waters and in the large sea.  
Of whom saith David like as ye may see,  
In his Psalter making mention,  
Of the snake the monstrous Dragon,  
full of venom and of hard grace,  
Which in the sea large and great of space,  
With foul adders hath his mansion.  
Unto mankind to do illusion.  
Whom whilom saw the holy monk Brandan  
As he sailed forth by the occian,  
Thorowen and deject in a pit horrible,  
More foul and hideous than it is credible.  
There to abide this tortuous serpent.  
Unto the day plainly of judgement.  
That of malice envy so mankind.  
Which with his gins & sleights as I find,  
Came to our father's first in paradise.  
And to deceive the bet at his devise,  
More covertly this worm in his passage,  
Took of a serpent the likeness and image.  
That is of cheer of look and countenance,  
Like a maid and hath resemblance,  
Of a woman as recordeth Bede.  
In his deceits rather for to speed.  
I mean the face only and not else,  
For behind so as clerks tells,  
Like a serpent of womb back and tail.  
He was when he 'gan him to assail,  
And toward Eve when he 'gan to glide.  
He first enquereth as he her took aside,  
Why god forbade them eaten of the tree,  
Which if they eat soothly they shoulden be,  
Like to gods knowing good and ill.  
And right forthwith as they 'gan fulfil,  
The fiends hest their eyen were unclosed,  
And for their guilt suddenly deposed,  
From paradise into wretchedness,  
To live in labour sorrow and distress.  
And thus the fiend when that first he took,  
Form of a snake and a woman's look,  
And made the tongue in her head to move,  
By false engene mankind for to grieve,  
So as he doth in them that be travailed,  
With wicked spirits vexed and assailed,  
To move their tongues falsely out to break.  
Into blasphemy what thing that they speak,  
The same serpent he Leviathan,  
Continuing aye falsely as he 'gan,  
In cursed Idols dumb, deaf, and blind,  
Full oft speaketh by spirits as I find.  
Which are but fiends David write certain▪  
The gods all whom folks so in vain,  
Honour with rites superstitious,  
As whilom was Apollo Delphicus,  
Like as tofore ye have herd devise,  
Which as for now ought enough suffice.  
¶ And as I trow the very cause why,  
That mine author rehearseth by and by.  
Ground and ginning of idolatry,  
This the cause for aught I can espy.  
For that he saw the matter was not know,  
Ilyche well both to high and low.  
peradventure you to do pleasance.  
He hath the ground put in remembrance,  
Of false gods and of mammetry,  
And most for them that can no poesy,   

ANd to the story resorteth soon again,  
How Achilles as ye have herd me sane  
And Patroclus have the way nim,  
To the temple and thither be ycome.  
To have answer of their ambassadry,  
Of great Apollo which may not lie.  
Of the pryestes they have their counsel take,  
In the temple to pray and to wake,  
Till they may find unto their intent,  
To have answer at time convenient,  
To their purpose and leisure opportune.  
¶ And of one heart so long they contune,  
In praying fasting and oblations,  
With sacrifice and sundry orisons,  
Tofore the god awaiting alway fast,  
Till he to them answered at last.  
With soft voice and said Achilles' twelve,  
Home to Greeks fast that thou the high,  
From whom thou were hither to me sent.  
And say then soothly the sum of their intent,  
shallbe fulfilled withouten words more.  
And how that they shall to Troy go,  
And there abide many strong battle.  
But at the last withouten any fail,  
At ten years day they win shall the town,  
And bring it plainly to destructiowne,  
Wall and towers fall shall to ruin,  
And with all this their purpose for to fine,  
King Priamus and Hecuba his wife.  
And their sons in this mortal strife,  
Shall there be slain brother after brother,  
This is the fine for it may be none other.  
For there shall none escape in the place,  
But such as Greeks liketh unto grace,  
Of very ruth and of mercy take.  
This all and some and thus an end I make.   

Of which answer Achilles glad & light,  
Was in his heart and with all his might,  
Thanketh Apollo of his blissful eure.  
And suddenly of sort or adventure,  
The self time befell a wonder thing,  
For out of Troy from Pryamus the king,  
Was sent a bishop for the same case,  
To have answer and named was Calchas.  
And he came in fool without press,  
The same hour while that Achilles,  
Was there present a man of great science.  
I mean Calchas had experience,  
Especially of calculation,  
Of sort also and dyvination.  
And learned was in astronomy,  
And when that he his time did espy,  
To have answer most convenient,  
Of Apollo like to his intent,  
As heretofore maked is memory,  
He entered is in to the oratory,  
Doing his rites and his observances,  
Like the custom with the circumstances.  
And busily 'gan to kneel and pray,  
And his things devoutly for to say.  
And to the god cry and call full strong,  
And for Apollo would not tho prolong,  
Suddenly his answer 'gan attame.  
And said Calchas twies by his name.  
Be right well ware thou ne turn again,  
To Troy town for that were but in vain.  
For finally learn this thing of me,  
In short time it shall destroyed be.  
This is in sooth which may not be denied.  
Wherefore I will that thou be allied,  
With the Greeks and with Achilles go.  
To them anon my will is it be so.  
For they shall have as I have disclosed.  
Victory and honour that may be disposed.  
For it is fatal and ne may not vary,  
And thou to them shalt be necessary,  
In counseling and in giving read,  
And be right helping to their good speed.  
And with that word rose him up Calchas,  
And to Achilles he went an easy pace.  
And when that he came to his presence,  
With great honour & much reverence,  
He was received like to his estate.  
And after soon they were confederate,  
Swore together be bond and assurance,  
To be all one withouten variance.  
And than in haste they together gone.  
To their ships & shope them forth anon,  
With Patroclus going by their side,  
They hale up the anchor and no longer bide,  
But sail forth Calchas and they twain.  
Toward Grece them needeth not complain.  
On wind and wawe till they arrived be,  
At Athenes that stood upon the sea,  
A large City of old foundation,  
And Achilles to king Agamenon,  
Hath Calchas brought and also Patroclus,  
And when the Greeks the story telleth us,  
Assembled were they together went,  
Tofore the king and Calchas represent.  
To all the lords and no longer dwell,  
And right anon Achilles 'gan to tell,  
Without abode in Delos how they met,  
Tofore Apollo where they answer fet.  
And how the god hath plainly determined,  
The Greeks purpose how it shall be fined.  
Upon Troyans' and bad Calchas also,  
In no wise that he to Troy go.  
But with Greeks that he abide still,  
Till they their purpose finally fulfil.  
Of which thing the greeks glad of cheer,  
Calchas accept with heart full entere.  
For one of them confederate by bond,  
To be all one on water and on land.  
Without change or any variance.  
The oath is made and put in remembrance,  
And they again fully him assure,  
To cherish him while their life may dure,  
For weal or woe and so they made an end,  
And after part and to their lodging wend.   

TIll on the morn after the sterry night,  
When Aurora was gladded with the light,  
Of Phoebus' beams the greeks up arise,  
And to their gods with many sacrifice,  
They do honour in what they can or may.  
And devoutly holding a feast day,  
After their rites meynt with love and dread,  
In remembrance of the good speed,  
And of the answer the gods have them sent.  
So agreeable unto their intent.  
By Patroclus and by Achilles.  
And after this amongs all the press,  
Is Calchas come tofore Agamenon,  
All his lords sitting environ.  
Like their estates each in his place dew,  
And humbly 'gan them all to salue.  
Upon his knees with sober countenance,  
And prayed them it be no displeasance,  
To stint a while and give him audience.  
And right anon as made was silence,  
Among them all Calchas 'gan abraid,  
And even thus full soberly he said.   

OH sires quoth he and my lords dear.  
Kings, Princes, & Dukes that be here,  
So noble eachone worthy and famous,  
And eke so manly and so virtuous.  
Which in this place be now here present,  
Is not the fine and chief of your intent,  
And cause also why that ye eachone,  
Assembled be to Troy for to gone,  
With this power and this great strength.  
Your purpose is to long draw a length,  
And differred forth from day to day,  
To your damage platly this no nay.  
For to long ye sojourn in this isle.  
And trow ye not that Priam in this while,  
Hath his espies among you privily,  
I wot it weal I say you faithfully.  
To know the fine of your governance.  
And he there whiles may make purveyance,  
Him to defend while ye in idle rest.  
Me seemeth soothly ye do not for the best.  
For in abiding and in such delays,  
Great harm may fall certain this no nay is.  
I prove it thus for plainly while that ye,  
To your enemies grant this liberty,  
Them to purvey they may with mighty hand  
Enforce them your power to withstand.  
With their friends and their alliance,  
And at leisure make their ordinance.  
It is folly that ye so differ.  
Sith ye be ready for to make a were.  
On your enemies with every circumstraunce,  
For nothing may a quarrel so advance,  
As hasty suit it will the sharper bite.  
The Iron hoot time is for to smite.  
And not abide till that it be cold.  
For it will neither ply then nor fold.  
Go set upon all of one accord,  
And to your ship anon within board,  
Enhaste you for time is to remove.  
With all your might your quarrel to pursue.  
Against them that have to you trespassed,  
How many days be of summer passed,  
And many months run and overslyde,  
And Titan oft with his char hath ride,  
From East to West and in the wawes deep,  
His streams bathed whiles that ye a sleep,  
And spent your time in this place thus.  
While that the wind called zephirus,  
benignly inspired hath aloft,  
The attempre air with wether fair & soft,  
The calm sea from waves still and plain,  
Whiles ye waste your days here in vain.  
That when your soon thereto taken heed.  
They will suppose that it is for dread,  
And be more bold to set of you but light.  
Trust forsooth for I will me quite,  
truely to you like as I am bound.  
And think how ye have the gods found,  
There toward bening and fortunate.  
Your honour saved in high and low estate.  
And so shall forth if your ingratituding,  
Provoke them not your purpose to delude.  
Wilfully to sloth your good fortune,  
No wonder is though they not contune,  
Towards you for to show their grace,  
Wherefore I read hence for to pace,  
And shapeth you no longer to lie here,  
But while the wether is so fair and clear,  
And lusty summer abideth in his heat,  
Or winter come with his reins wet,  
And while the season is so fresh and green,  
I speak of heart platly as I mean,  
For your exploit and your alder ease,  
Where it so be I anger you or please,  
That forth in haste ye to ship wend,  
I can no more my tale is at an end.    

¶ How the Greeks navy returning from Athenes were distressed by tempest, and how they took a castle of the Troyans' called Saranaba. Ca xviii.  

ANd all at ones they be condescended,  
To his advise & have it well commended.  
And in all haste Agamenon the great,  
The lusty time and the season sweet,  
Hasting the greeks both the high and low,  
Made sound a trump & to shipward blow.  
And they eachone his bidding did obey,  
And to their ships they go the right weigh.  
Without abode they will no longer dwell,  
What should I more of the number tell.  
Of their ships sith ye have heard afore,  
It needeth not rehearse it any more,  
I can not see what it might avail.  
But forth they dress them and begun to sail,  
And this is sooth plainly and no ween,  
So great a navy was never yet yseen,  
In all this world nor together met.  
The wind was good that they were not let,  
On their way first when they begun.  
But after soon 'gan the sheen son,  
The clearness change of his bright face,  
And dim clouds 'gan his light embrace.  
And suddenly in full ugly wise,  
The heaven dark & the wind 'gan rise,  
The hideous thunder and levene clear,  
Smote in the mast bright as any fire,  
And the blackness of the smoky rain,  
Blindeth the air that nothing may be seen.  
And the waves 'gan to rise aloft,  
And in their ships fell nothing soft.  
But plunge a down and their tops smite,  
That them thought they wanted but a light,  
To have be dead in the self stound.  
Till Calchas hath by his craft yfound,  
The cause of all and with his orisons,  
With his charms and incantations,  
Made suddenly the tempest to appease  
And with his craft done them right great ease.  
For he found out the cause of everydeal,  
How diane liked nothing weal,  
That the greeks dursten take on hand,  
To be so bold to part from the strand,  
Into the sea in any manner wise,  
And do to her no manner sacrifice.  
Nouther offer tofore or that they goeth,  
For which thing the goddess is so wroth,  
Toward greeks sailing on the sea,  
That they eachone wend have drowned be.  
Till at the last the king Agamenon,  
Hath by counsel and information,  
Of wise Calchas made set up to land,  
Into an isle and fast his ships bond,  
And Aulydes that little isle hight.  
In which he fond unware in his sight,  
A little temple and an oratory,  
Founded of old and made in memory,  
Of great diane to which anon he went,  
Full devoutly his offering to present.  
And quemed her with his oblations,  
And lay there long in his orisons.  
After the rites used in his law.  
Tell after he saw the tempest 'gan adawe.  
But some books maken mention,  
Touching this thing that Agamenon,  
As Ovid list rehersen in his book,  
How this king his own daughter took,  
Effygenya benign of face and cheer.  
And endelonge there upon the altar,  
This maid he laid despoiled of her weed,  
Tofore diane to maken her bleed.  
To fine only that he the heavenly queen,  
With blood that was innocent and clean,  
Appease might and quemen of her rage.  
And the goddess gracious of visage,  
Hath mercy meynt with her magnificence,  
To suffer a maid so full of innocence,  
Guiltless to be in her temple slawe.  
Hath by miracle away her body draw.  
And it conserved from all annoy and smart,  
And in her stead unwarely cast an heart,  
By death of whom as books maken mind,  
Agamenon first 'gan grace find.  
In the gods for to modify,  
Her cruel Ire and clerens 'gan the sky.  
The sea wax calm and the wether fair▪  
And Phoebus eke to glade with the air,  
'Gan show new and his beams cast,  
In to the sea and the king as fast,  
Unto ship repaired is again.  
Through help of her which is as clerkis sane  
Lady and queen is of ways and of passage,  
And goddess is called of voyage.  
After the sentence and opinion,  
Of them that work by calculation.  
And begin their domes by Astronomy.  
And most of all they her magnify,  
In the tenth and the twelve house.  
For there she is they say most gracious.  
Best fortuned, clear, or in her shade,  
If she have comfort of aspects glade.  
Of planets standing tho as in good state,  
I mean such planets as be fortunate,  
To voyage or journey for to make.  
And such time Agamenon hath take,  
His happy way shipped for to be.  
And in good hour he taken hath the sea,  
With the greeks the wether agreeable,  
And Aeolus hath maked acceptable,  
Wind and air whole at their will.  
Nouther to loud plainly nor to still.  
But in a mean so merry made it blow,  
That they attain as in a little throw,  
To certain bounds of Troy the City.  
Unto a castle that stood upon the sea,  
Right wonder strong though it were but light,  
The name of which though Dares list not write.  
I mean Dares called Frygius,  
Yet other auctors rehearse soothly thus,  
Saranaba that it was called.  
Round about diched and well walled.  
With high towers round square and wide,  
Where under went the sea and fast beside,  
Was an haven able for ryvayle,  
At which plainly the greeks will not fail,  
With their power mightily to aryve.  
Maugre all though that there again strive.  
They might well for it was not denied,  
Only except that they were espied,  
Of them alone that in the castle dwell,  
The which anon as they heard tell,  
Of their coming proudly in the beard,  
With them to meet were nothing afeard.  
But issue out down unto the strand,  
In purpose only to let them to land,  
With all their might if it would avail,  
But the greeks so proudly them assail,  
That they ne might in their defence endure,  
For where as they wend to have be assure,  
deeming the greeks plainly on the sea,  
For wearied and fainted to have be,  
With long sailing parbraked and forbroke,  
Wherefore they cast on them to have be wroke,  
All suddenly and set on the head,  
And put themself in adventure and dread.  
Of rakelnesse unadvisedly.  
Whereof to themself unhappily,  
It befell when they with greeks met,  
With spears long and swords sharp whet.  
Each on other manhood for to show.  
But for cause Trojans were to few,  
To issue out they did folyfye.  
The field was not parted equally.  
For the greeks were innumerable,  
That them to meet Trojans were not able.  
For that time they mighten not suffice,  
They took on them to passing high emprise.  
And yet they would for nothing them withdraw  
Till that they were wounded and yslawe,  
And overlay of greeks utterly.  
Now here, now there, bore down cruelly.  
merciless as Guydo doth report,  
That them behoveth home again resort,  
Of very need and necessity.  
And all at once 'gan for to flee,  
I mean such as were left alive,  
To the castle they hasted them full blyue.  
For they ne might no longer hold the field,  
Against greeks with spear nor with shield.  
They were to feeble shortly to conclude,  
There to abide so great a multitude.  
And as they flee the greeks a great pace,  
Ne cease not to sew them in the chase,  
Full hastily to the castle gate.  
And enter in and by cruel fate,  
They kill and slay all both high and low.  
They spare none ne list no wight know.  
Of none estate but felly them oppress,  
And what they fond gold and eke richesse,  
Unto ship they carried it anon.  
And of the castle they ne left a stone,  
Above an other but turned up so down.  
Both wall & tour and the chief dongeowne  
That nothing stood so they under mine,  
And when that all was brought unto ruin,  
Greeks anon to their ships haste.  
Of one assent and purposen as fast,  
Without abode of one will and heart,  
Fro that haven plainly to divert.  
And to sail toward Tenedowne,  
A strong castle which from Troy town,  
In distance thence but six mile stood,  
Full of treasure of richesse and of good.  
replenished of all in abundance,  
And when that they with their ordinance,  
Ysayled have their journey safe and sound,  
And fro the sea taken have the ground.  
To their pleasance wonder agreeable.  
And of sight a place delectable,  
Wholesome of air the soil fair and green,  
And lusty plains goodly on to seen.  
And was also abundant of victual,  
replenished of all that may avail,  
The osteing and to soldiers,  
For first the land of fresh flowers,  
Was plenteous both of corn and grain.  
Of wine and fruit that no thing lay barren,  
Of beasts and fowls passyngly plenty,  
And fast by was adjoining the see.  
Full abundant of fish as I find,  
After the season of every manner kind.  
And when that they that in the castle were,  
The Greeks sea landed from a far,  
Without abode they arm them & went out,  
And upon them make an hideous shout.  
Stuffing the castle which main strong behind,  
And took their way in Guydo as I find.  
Toward their foen and knightly set upon,  
And right forth the greeks eke anon,  
Met with them upon the other fyde.  
Right surquidous and inly full of pride.  
Cleanly armed in harness all of steel,  
Fresh arrayed and beseen so weal,  
For in the field as thick as sworme of been,  
On each side men may behold and seen,  
spread all the plain down unto the strand.  
Till at the last they met hand to hand.  
Where as they yoyne with square spears ground,  
And hurtle yfere with many bloody wound.  
There was no good day nor no salving.  
But strokes fell that men hardeen ring,  
On bassenettes the fields round about.  
So cruelly that the fire sprang out,  
Among the tufts broad bright and sheen.  
Of foil of gold & feathers white and green.  
Eke in breasts pierced many shield,  
And coursers fled abroad in the field.  
And many laid in that mortal stound,  
Full deadly pale low upon the ground.  
With face gruf and bloody streams wide.  
And aldermost upon the greeks side,  
The slaughter was and the discomfiture▪  
So mighty the Trojans did endure.   

TIll at the last for they were so few,  
With multitude the greeks on them hew,  
For more than forty were against one,  
Of very force aback they must gone,  
Nothing for lack of manhood dare I say.  
But for so many have them over lain.  
They no longer may in field sojourn,  
But to their castle home again return,  
In full great haste such as might escape,  
Away alive. and some of them for rape.  
And dread of death took them to flight.  
On horse back to Troy town full right.  
No wonder was though they hast fast,  
For to the gates the chase of greeks last.  
So cruelly after they pursue.  
And some of them that might not remove,  
On Troy side forweryed of the fight,  
The greeks slew with all their full might,  
Now here now there whom they might attain,  
There may no ransom nor no mercy gain.  
Of none estate without excepciowne.  
And after that unto Tenedowne,  
The greeks went and it be set about.  
That Trojan none might escape out.  
And when that they the bulwarks had ywonne  
To scale the wall after they begoone.  
And made a saute manfully and oft,  
And eke Trojans as they stood a loft,  
drive them of that enter they ne might.  
With cast of stone and with quarrels bright,  
With bow turkeys and shoot of arbalesters.  
And their gonners standing at corners.  
With this also and cast of wild fire,  
Of irous hate full hot in their desire.  
Like manly men themself they do defend.  
And aye the greeks as they up ascend,  
Cruelly they driven to the ground.  
Till they without an ordinance have found,  
What with gins devised for the nonce,  
And gonnes great for to cast stones,  
Bend to the towers right as any line,  
And large sows low for to mine,  
And some of them upon the wall gone,  
That were so thick made of lime and stone.  
And in to entre they many ways seek.  
Set their bastyles and their hurdeys eke.  
Round about to the hard wall,  
And scaling ladders for sawtes martial.  
They 'gan up cast with hokes for to hold,  
And up ascend the sturdy greeks bold.  
Till the Trojans from the crests cast,  
The great stones while as they would last.  
And Rollers eke greeks to oppress.  
And wonder manly did their business,  
In their defence and made plunge them low,  
With cast of quarrel and with shoot of bow.  
Through Olyettes that of necessytee,  
They put them of it may none other be.  
And broke their necks & their shoulder bones,  
As they fell down with the square stones.  
And lain dead piteous pale of hew.  
But greeks aye 'gan the saute renew,  
With multitude Troyans to assail,  
That to withstand they gynnen for to fail.  
And were feeble for rescuse came their none,  
And so of force the greeks be in gone.  
Through the walls when they have them broke,  
And on Trojans so cruelly be wroke,  
That finally they left none alive.  
But slay and kill and after that as blyve,  
On the walls their banners they have set.  
And young and old it might be no bet,  
All goth to wrack upon Troy side.  
And after that they will no longer bide,  
But treasure gold & what so they may find,  
They cast on heap and together bind.  
And make spoil of all that was within,  
And then in haste the walls they begin,  
pinnacle, towers, and also the dungeowne,  
To burn and hew and to beat down.  
And with the soil they made even & plain.  
And with great pray anon they went again  
To their ships glad and light of cheer.  
When the fire with the flawmes clear,  
The castle had consumed and ybrent.  
And after that advice and right prudent,  
The manly man the worthy Agamenon,  
Let make anon a convocation,  
Of the greeks and bad they shoulden bring,  
Gold and treasure without more tarrying,  
With all the pray they wan at Tenedowne,  
To his presence for this conclusion.  
That he may make distribution,  
amongs them without exception,  
Like their desert unto poor and rich.  
He departeth to every man a lyche,  
But most to such as did it best deserve,  
For to himself him list nothing reserve,  
For he hath liefer their hearts then the good.  
Of such as had spent their own blood,  
So manfully the castle for to win.  
For who that can with largesse first begin,  
Ne faileth not after well to speed.  
Through help of men when that he hath need  
For love followeth freedom commonly.    

¶ How Agamenon assembled a counsel of the nobles of Grece, and determined, & sent ulyxes and diomed in ambassade to king Priam. Capi. nineteen.  

ANd after this the king let make a cry,  
That all the kings & lords of his ostie,  
Dukes and Earls come from every cost,  
The next morrow afore him to appear.  
The night ypassed Phoebus 'gan to clear,  
Their hemysperye after the lark song.  
When that the king among the greeks strong,  
Upon the plain in his see royal,  
And fast by most chief and principal,  
Of his lords were set in their degree.  
And when the king saw opportunity,  
And that there was made silence every where,  
His lieges standing environ here & there.  
The king of cheer sad and not jocund,  
As he that was of speech full faucounde,  
Began his tale with sober countenance,  
The effect of which was this in substance.   

Sires quoth he full worthy of degree,  
Of very right and of necessity,  
We be compelled both the high and low,  
With all our might like as ye well know,  
To redress a thing that is amiss.  
For through the world as it reported is,  
We be of force of power and of might,  
Of worthiness in every wights sight,  
Most renowned and most worshypable.  
And ydempt and judged for most able,  
Of all people and lyklyest to stand,  
For to perform what we have take on hand  
Who that ever grudgeth or saith nay,  
Yet me seemeth if it be your pay,  
Thilk power most is acceptable,  
Unto gods and longest standeth stable,  
That is devoid of surquidry and pride.  
For it is kouth upon every side,  
In each land both of one and all,  
How many harms and griefs have befall,  
Through rancour only pride & wilfulness.  
So inportable as I could express,  
Through pride there as is done offence,  
The high gods maken resistance,  
To all though that be surquydous.  
Which is a vice so contrarious,  
That it ne may in no place abide.  
And in good faith manhood is no pride,  
For who that hath any acquaintance,  
either by friendship or by alliance,  
With a proud man to be confederate,  
With him in heart of high or low estate.  
He needs must what ever that he be,  
To many other of necessity,  
Be lothsomest enemy and contrary.  
For nothing may a man so much appair,  
As pride in sooth in high or low degree.  
Wherefore I read plainly how that we,  
This foul vice out of our heart arrace.  
That our quarrel may have the more grace.  
And specially that our deeds all,  
Conveyed be how ever that it fall,  
By rightwiseness more than voluntee.  
For if troth our soothfast guide be,  
Us to derecte by his rightful line,  
Than shall our quarrel aye in honour shine,  
And contune in full felycytee.  
¶ And furthermore this known all ye,  
How we are come for to done vengeance,  
With our friendship and our alliance.  
Upon Priam for wrongs done of old.  
By him and his as I have oft told.  
And hereupon we have his ground tale,  
And some of his maked to a wake.  
With manful hand and his castles strong,  
I beat down that stand have so long.  
And take there the richesse that we found,  
And slew his men with many bloody wound  
And harms more done in his country,  
That I wot well if their enmytee,  
Was unto us great and much afore.  
I dare say now it is in double more,  
That if that they avenged might be,  
On us eachone anon ye should see.  
Their great Ire so cruel and so huge,  
Be execute without more refuge.  
And yet in sooth I wot they have espied,  
Our being here though we be not askyred.  
Of them as yet I dare say utterly,  
They are well ware that we are fast by.  
And overmore this wot I well also,  
Of the harms that we have to them do,  
The which as yet be but fresh and green,  
If they were strong and mighty to sustain,  
I were on us anon they would it gin,  
And yet the City in which that they be in.  
Is walled strong and toured round about,  
That they wenen fully out of doubt,  
With the main that they have gathered in,  
Of their allies that we shall not win,  
Of them but small in were nor in strife.  
For he in sooth hath a prerogative,  
And advantage that in his country,  
Himself deffendeth namely if that he,  
Be stuffed strong of friends him beside.  
And of alyes where he doth abide.  
Like as the Raven with his feather black,  
Within his nest will often time make,  
Again the Faukon gentle of nature,  
Full hard diffence whiles hy may endure.  
Or that he be vanquished and outrayed.  
And yet some while the Faukon is delayed,  
Whiles the Raven beside his nest doth flee,  
Within his court at his liberty.  
As every foul is froward to areste,  
For to be daunted in his own nest.   

ANd yet to you these words I ne say,  
In any wise to putten in a fray,  
Your knightly hearts so manly and so stable.  
Nor that to you it should be doutable,  
But we the Trojans fully shall confound.  
And their City in which they now abound,  
Plainly destroy albe that it be strong.  
And they and all that now be them among,  
Shall finally consumpt be with death.  
Thorough greeks sword yelden up the breath.  
¶ But the cause without any dread,  
Why I say thus is that ye take heed,  
For any pride or presumption,  
To advert in your discretion,  
So prudently that reason in this need,  
For any haste may our bridle lead.  
And so ordain or we hence wend,  
That laud and praise after in the end,  
May be reported as I have devised.  
For many man that hath not be advised,  
In his pursuit for lack of providence,  
To see tofore in his advertence,  
What should be fall to death it hath them brought.  
Such wilful haste were good to be thought,  
Of us by fore examination,  
And well discussed by revolution.  
¶ Of thinking oft that we not repent,  
And first remember how that Priam sent,  
To us but late only for Exyon.  
That yet is hold of king Thelamon.  
Which was of us without advisement,  
undiscreetly denied by assent.  
Which hath to us be none advantage.  
But ground and rote of full great damage.  
For if that we through wise purveyance,  
Of her had made though deliverance,  
The harms great had be then eschewed,  
That after were of Paris so pursued.  
In the temple of fair Cythera,  
That builded is beside Cirrea,  
The treasure great also that he had,  
And jewels thence that he with him lad.  
Than to Troy and the great richesse,  
The slaughte of men and the heaviness,  
That yet is made for the queen Heleyne.  
Throughout Grece and the great pain,  
Of Menelaye all had been now unwrought,  
If so we had foreseen this in our thought.  
Wisely tofore and restored Exyon,  
Than had not the harms ne of them one,  
ensued on us in very soothfastness.  
Nor spent our labour so in idleness.  
treasure nor good wasted so in vain,  
Nor come so far for to fetch again,  
The queen Heleyne with costs inportable.  
Withouten harms now in eschewable.   

ANd for all this yet ne wot we,  
Whether to joy or to adversity,  
The thing shall turn that we be about.  
Sith oft sith dependent and in doubt,  
Is fatal thing unsyker and unstable.  
And fro the ginning often variable.  
The end is seen fortune can transmewe,  
Her gery course and therefore to eschew,  
The harms possible likely for to fall,  
My counsel is here among you all,  
Upon arryvaile travail to eschew,  
In this matter are we further sew,  
To Pryamus without any more,  
To send first again for to restore,  
The queen Heleyne as right and reason is.  
And other harms done eke by Paris.  
After his trespass and offension.  
justly to maken restitution.  
Than may we all in worship and honour,  
Return home without more labour.  
If they assent to do as we reqire.  
And our asking if they list not here,  
But foolily of their wilfulness,  
Refusen it than this our worthiness,  
Is double assured on a syker ground.  
By just title Troyans to confound.  
With things two we shallbe under pight,  
first our power borne up with our right,  
Shall for us fight our quarrel to dareyne.  
In balance even to weigh atwixe us twain,  
To fine that we shallbe more excused,  
For they tofore have wilfully refused,  
Our just proffers made to them afore.  
And we shallbe through the world therefore,  
Without spot of trespass or of blame.  
Of mysreporte in hindering of our name.  
Where they of folly shall ynoted be,  
Of wilful wodnesse plainly where that we,  
Shall stand free our power for to use.  
And every man shall us well excuse.  
Though that we do execution,  
By taking vengeance for their offension.  
Of men and child of each sect and age.  
That shall of death holden their the passage.  
And by the sword without mercy pace,  
One and other there is no better grace.   

But yet tofore I counsel taketh heed,  
That ye to them with all measure bede,  
This hold I best and most syckernesse.  
And work now by good aviseness.  
Among yourself and no longer tarry,  
To which counsel some weren contrary.  
And variant to his opinion.  
Save they that were of most discretion,  
Assented be plainly to this end.  
And chosen have to Priam for to send,  
amongs them the ambassyat to speed,  
Vlyxes wise and worthy diomed.  
The which anon 'gan them ready make,  
And shope them forth and their way take,  
Toward Troy as any line right.  
When the son shone full sheen and bright.  
Holding the course of his fiery sphere,  
In midday ark wonder bright and clear.  
And guilt each hill vale plain & roche,  
With his beams, when they did approach,  
To the walls and gates of the town,  
And in they go without noise or sown▪  
Full well be seen and in their port them had,  
Right manfully and the way them lad,  
To the paleyes straight as any line.  
Them needeth not aside to decline.  
But into a court large wide and square,  
And they full knightly for no wight would space  
Unto the effect manly to proceed.  
To do their charge without fear and dread.  
For their coming was not tho refused,  
And in though days peraunter was not used,  
To have no conduit for ambassadry.  
The custom was to no man to deny,  
As I suppose entre nor passage,  
If it so were he come as for message.  
And in this court builded so royally,  
When they come first they marveled greatly  
The royal sight of so huge a strength,  
So well complete both in breed and length.  
For they ne had in their life tofore,  
Seen none so fair & yet they wonder more,  
Into the paleyes as they together gone,  
That paved was all of jasper stone,  
Of a tree that amids stood.  
On which to look they thought it did them good  
Musing where it were artificial,  
Erect or set by magic natural,  
Or by engine of workmen curious.  
Through subtle crafts superstitious.  
Or other work of Nycromancye,  
Or profound casting of philosophy,  
By appearance or yllusyon.  
either by craft of incantation.  
Up and down they casten in their mind,  
Out by reason if they mighten find,  
Rote and ground of this wonder work.  
But the truth was to them so dark,  
That in their wit though they long trace,  
The pryvitee they can not compare,  
To conceive how it was possible,  
For to the eye as it was visible,  
In very sooth without any fable,  
To man's hand so it was palpable.  
Of which the stock of Guydo as is told,  
In soothfastness was of pured gold.  
Which shone as bright as the summer son.  
To enlumine things that weren donne.  
And the body as a mast was right,  
proportioned most goodly to the sight,  
Substantial and of huge strength,  
And twelve cubytes the body was of length,  
And the crop round and large of breed,  
And in compass 'gan flourish so and spread,  
That all the plain about environ,  
With the bows was shadowed up & down.  
The rich branches and the leaves fair,  
Twain and twain joined as a pair,  
One of gold another silver sheen,  
And meynt among with stones white & green,  
Some read and some sapher hewed,  
And every day the blomes were renewed,  
And the blossoms with many sundry suit,  
For stones Ind it bore in stead of fruit.  
As saith Guido I can no other tell.  
And the Greeks will no longer dwell,  
But hold their way by many sundry went,  
For to perform the fine of their intent.  
Till they attain the chamber principal,  
Where Pryamus in his see royal,  
Like his estate in full kingly wise,  
Sat and about full prudent and full wise,  
His lords all in sets him beside.  
When the greeks surquedous of pride,  
With stern cheer & froward countenance.  
As they that had little remembrance,  
Of gentleness nor of courtesy,  
For as Guydo doth plainly specify,  
Entering in they taken have their place,  
In thopposite of the kings face.  
And set them down without more sermon,  
Any obeisance or salutation,  
Worship honour or any reverence,  
Done to the king for all his excellence,  
In prejudice of all gentleness.  
And than anon Vlixes 'gan express,  
Cause of their coming to king Pryamus.  
Without abode saying even thus.  
Not forbering presence of the king.   

Marvel not nor have no wondering,  
Though we to the do no honour dew,  
In our coming the for to salue.  
Sith it ne longeth in sooth as thinketh me,  
Where rancour is and hearty enmity.  
Or deadly hate with salutations,  
Or with feigned false affections,  
For to show where hearts been a fire.  
For naturally no man shall desire,  
Of his enemy the health nor welfare.  
And platly now me list not for to spare,  
Shortly to show the fine of our intent,  
Like as we haven in commandment,  
In our message from Agamenowne.  
The noble king most worthy of renown.  
Which us hath sent there is no more to say,  
Now unto the for the queen Heleyne.  
That was ravished out of greeks land.  
And brought to Troy by force of mighty hand.  
Against right and by violence,  
Wherefore shortly without more offence,  
We justly axe without more demand,  
That thou anon rightfully command,  
To Menelay that she be sent again.  
And with all this we axe not in vain,  
That thou do make restitution,  
Of wrongs done in that region.  
Of pylfres great slaught & robbery,  
By Paris done of wilful tiranye.  
Which is thy son and by the sustained,  
And in his error wrongfully maintained.  
Wherefore come of and fully condescend,  
Without grudging this wrongs to amend.  
For so thou mayst best the god's queme,  
Like as thou mayst in thy reason dame.  
As right requireth & work as the wise.  
For if so be that thou now despise,  
To execute that I have the told here,  
Trust me right well a lesson thou shalt lere,  
Which thou and thine shall hereafter rue,  
Without feigning thou shalt it find true.  
That but if thou a better end make,  
Cruel vengeance shall on the be take.  
And finally what should I to the fain,  
The force of death this quarrel shall darayne.  
Upon the and upon all thy blood,  
Raunsomles other of gold or good.  
And questionless report this of me,  
That merciless this rich strong city,  
Shall down be beat & ylayde full low,  
Wall and Toures also overthrow.  
This all and some beth now well advised.  
That our asking of the be not despised.  
But wisely work and do as I have said.   

ANd suddenly king Priamus abraid,  
Of hasty ire he ne might abide.  
Of the greeks when he saw the pride,  
The great outrage and presumption,  
Without abode or deliberation,  
To ulyxes anon he 'gan out break,  
And unto him even thus to speak.  
¶ I wonder greatly in mine advertence,  
Being atoned how in my presence,  
So ungodly ye dare make this demand.  
Like as ye had power to commaundt.  
And me constrain your bidding to obey,  
And I for fear durst you not with say,  
No manner thing that ye axen here.  
Nor contrary what that ye require.  
Whereof soothly in heart I am amened,  
And of your threats inwardly aggrieved.  
And atoned surely not a life,  
That ye so hardy are this to excite,  
And villainously mine honour to provoke.  
On your words for to be a work.  
But for all this trusteth me right weal,  
I will not pass my bounds never a deal,  
Nor the rather shortly at an end,  
To your asking in aught to condescend.  
¶ For to consider the fine of your intent,  
It were not sitting nor convenient,  
A king to grant your axing though that he,  
Stood in mischief and captivity,  
Without recure to utterance ybrought.  
It were outrage plainly to be thought.  
To axe of him that ye axe of me,  
And soothly yet I not believe that ye,  
acomplishing may so much avail,  
As ye have said for platly ye shall fail,  
Of your purpose I say and god toforne.  
maugre your might though ye had it sworn.  
For your request in every man's sight,  
Wanteth a ground both of truth & right.  
To axe of me satisfaction,  
And were yourself first occasion,  
When ye slew my father Lamedowne,  
And his lieges and brent eke the town,  
And many harms if they were out sought,  
On him and his causeless tho ye wrought.  
That it were long all for to rehearse.  
Which day by day through my heart pierce.  
My sister eke called Exiona,  
Out of this region ye have lad away,  
The which is not unto her worthiness,  
Ytreated like nor after gentleness.  
¶ And for all this ye would amends have.  
Wrongly of me that whilom for to save,  
All things in peace and to stint were,  
To you have sent into Grece far,  
Only to have Exyona again.  
Of which sonde ye hadden but disdain.  
And cruelly in ungodly wise,  
My messenger ye 'gan as though despise.  
That he unueth ne might escape away,  
From out of grece ye know it is no nay.  
Of you he had so ungodly cheer,  
And in good faith me list not now to hear,  
Your request nor given audience,  
To your asking for your great offence.  
For liefer I had shortly to deyen here,  
Than condescend to aught that ye reqire.  
For I will fully for conclusion,  
That it be known to Agamenon,  
That we have liefer this is doubtless,  
Finally his were that his peace.  
Sith ye to me have done so great trespass.  
And by my truth in this self place,  
Cruelly anon ye shoulden die,  
But for the office of ambassadry,  
Against death is fully your diffence.  
That be so bold withouten reverence,  
In my presence so to threat or speak.  
Trust me right well it should anon be wreak.  
Wherefore in haste without words more,  
My counsel is that ye be ago.  
Out of my sight and void this my city,  
For thus it standeth that whiles I you see,  
In my heart may enter no gladness.  
The fret of ire so holdeth me in distress.  
That in good faith I may it not sustain,  
So Inportune is the rage and tene,  
That inwardly bindeth me for the while.   

ANd Diomedes though began to smile,  
And said anon thus unto the king.  
If it be so that thou of our coming,  
In thine heart haste so mykle pain,  
Us to behold now that be but twain,  
And art therewith so inly set a fire,  
Than shalt thou never be withouten ire,  
In all thy life nor devoid of wo.  
Sith thou hast so many cruel foe,  
Of greeks now entered in thy land.  
An hundred thousand almost at thine hand.  
Again whose might thou mayst the not assure,  
To resist plainly nor endure,  
Consider well how that they be strong,  
As thou shalt wit peraunter or be long.  
So manly men and so well arrayed,  
Expert in arms and of old assayed.  
That no diffence may again them veil,  
And wite eke well that thou mayst not fail,  
By death of sword of their hand to die,  
And all thine there is no more to say.  
Though it so be proudly that thou speak,  
And with thy tongue only to be wreak,  
Afermest more than thou mayst achieve,  
Better it were such boasting words leave,  
And to wise counsel taketh better heed.   

But than in haste again this Diomedes,  
Surquidous and inly full of pride,  
There rose up some by the kings side,  
With sword & draw on him would have fall,  
And all to hewn him there among them all,  
Of hasty ire brenning as the gleed,  
Till Pryamus 'gan to taken heed.  
And rose him up seeing this disease,  
And manfully this rage 'gan appease.  
Them diffending upon death and life,  
That none of them be hardy in this strife,  
The ambassadors to harm or to grieve,  
For though a fool his folly will not leave,  
To presume to speak unconningly,  
A wise man must suffer patiently.  
And though that he hap to do offence,  
Through foolish speech for lack of sapience,  
A wise man ne ought sooth to say,  
To taken heed or to speak again.  
For to a fool as it is pertinent,  
To show his folly, right so convenient,  
Is to the wise soothly with sufferance,  
In all his port to have tolerance.  
For unto fools belongeth kindly,  
Without advise to speak foolily.  
Vndiscretly his meaning to fulfil.  
Where as a wise man hear can and be still,  
Till he see time and have patience,  
And dissimule in his advertence,  
The rage of fools that last but a throw.  
For by his tongue a fool is oft know.  
And liefer I had I do you well assure,  
In my person damage to endure,  
Then to suffer any messengere,  
In my court of you that be here,  
To have a wrong other great or light.  
The sword of rancour may not always bite.  
To do vengeance for a thing of nought,  
For oft it falleth that a wrong is wrought,  
For little excess followeth great reproof.  
And haste is aye meddled with mischief.  
Wherefore I bid that ye sit adown,  
And in no wise of presumpciowne,  
Attempteth not in no manner wise,  
By sign or word more for to despise,  
Thembassadoures from the Greeks scent.  
But let them freely declare their intent,  
And ye there whiles keep your lips close,   

ANd suddenly then Aeneas rose,  
Which next the king held then his see,  
So inwardly with rancour fret was he,  
That he ne might himself not refrain,  
And said sir so ye not disdain,  
That I shall say me seemeth that it is,  
Well according when one hath said amiss,  
And rekly spoken unadvised,  
Of his folly that he be chastised.  
That other may example by him take.  
To be well aware such noise and cry to make.  
And specially in open audience.  
So to offend your royal excellence.  
And soothly yet I wot well that I might,  
So me govern plainly in your sight,  
Of hastiness without advisement,  
That I should by your commandment,  
The death deserve for my great offence.  
And truly yet ne were for your presence,  
Of this twain that have so yspoke,  
Without abode I should anon be wroke.  
For it were worthy and right well sitting,  
When that a fool in presence of a king,  
Is bold or hardy of presumption,  
To take on him of indiscrestion,  
Thing to rehearse concluding in sentence,  
Preiudyce of his magnificence,  
That he were taught better to govern,  
His large tongue to can bet and discern,  
When he shall speak or when be in pease,  
To suffer him to run out of lose.  
As doth he this that spoke hath so large.  
Wherefore in haste I counsel him & charge,  
Without abode or any word more,  
Out of your sight anon he be ago.  
For it is best to do as I him read.   

TO whom anon full proudly Diomedes,  
Not atoned but with a stern look,  
To Aeneas that for ire quoke,  
Answered again but with words few,  
And said sir thy words doth well show,  
What so thou be that thou art right wise.  
Well is that king that doth by thine advise.  
Or hath the nigh of counsel for to be,  
For he ne may err in no degree.  
That art so rightful in thy judgement.  
Of wylfullnesse without advisement,  
To cause a lord his bonds for to place.  
So would god in some other place,  
That I might by favour of fortune,  
Meet with the at leisure opportune.  
Like my desire that canst so well indite.  
In old fables thy labour for to quite.  
And the to thank for thy gentle cheer,  
Which so knightly thou hast us showed here,  
Trust well thereto and have thereof no dread.   

ANd though Vlixes of this Diomedes,  
'Gan interrupt his words prudently,  
And to him said full advysely,  
That it was best to stint and be still.  
And now we know fully all thy will,  
Quod ulyxes full manly to the king,  
We will go hence without more tarrying.  
Out of thy sight to Agamenon,  
And make to him plain relation,  
Of thy answer in order by and by.  
And to horse they wenten suddenly,  
And in short time so hast them in their way,  
That they be come there is no more to say,  
Where the king sat in his tentorye,  
And word by word as came to memory,  
They rehearse the substance every deal,  
Whereof the greeks like nothing weal.  
conceiving full there was no remedy,  
As by report of the ambassadry,  
Save only this utterly proceed,  
How they them shall govern in this need,  
Again Troyans' of necessity.  
For they well wot it may none other be.  
And assented both in will and deed.  
To purvey them fast they them speed.  
In this story as ye shall after find.   

But first or I thereof maken mind,  
I must a while of Aeneas' indite,  
As mine Author list of him to write.  
The which soothly as books say he was,  
This manly Trojan this worthy Aeneas,  
Anchises sone of great worthiness,  
Whilom get of Venus the goddess.  
Conqueror of many region.  
When Troy was brought to destruction,  
He went his way by the large see,  
Called Tyrene and sailing forth goth he,  
By many cost and many straight passage,  
Many danger till into Cartage,  
He rived is and thence 'gan to sail,  
To the conquest of the great Ytale.  
And so to Rome he hath the way take,  
Of whose spring as auctors mention make,  
Came Augustus Cesar the Emperor.  
That was whilom so noble a conqueror.  
That his renown to this day doth shine,  
And of Enee the Emperor justyne,  
In his books called Autentykes,  
Full plainly writ therein the rubrykes,  
That after Cesar so as Cesares,  
Be named yet right so Aeneids,  
After Enee they name shoulden bear.  
Which fro Troy comen was so fere.  
Unto ytayle and of this Aeneas,  
As I have told Cesar descended was.  
Down line right full manly and royal.  
That first in Rome by sceptre imperial,  
Maugre their might had the governance,  
And of wisdom set the ordinance,  
Of common things touching the city.  
And to proceed further of Enee,  
holy his life and knighthood by and by,  
If that ye list to read seriously,  
Ye may see all full authentic of style,  
In Eneydos compiled of Vergyle.  
Albeit so that this noble clerk.  
Was grave afore or complete was his work.  
As books old maken mention.    

¶ How Agamenon sent Achilles and Thelephus into the Island of Messa for victuals, and how they slew the king and after ordained Thelephus the king there. Ca xx.  

But now again to Agamenon,  
Without more I will my style return,  
The which king will no more sojourn,  
In this matter delays for to make,  
But in all haste he hath his counsel take.  
Of his lords being there present.  
And such as were not he hath after sent,  
For one and all, Earls, Dukes, and kings.  
¶ And said sires among other things,  
To our journey that be necessary,  
My counsel is no longer that we tarry,  
But first of all to make ordinance,  
By one assent with prudent purveyance,  
That alder first we shape us for victual.  
Without which none host may avail.  
To perform a journey thryftely.  
Wherefore I read here but fast by,  
If it to you be liking and pleasance,  
Into an isle full of abundance,  
Called Messa that we send anon.  
And at one word assented every eachone,  
They chosen have worthy Achilles,  
And Thelephus the son of Hercules,  
To execute this purpose finally,  
With many worthy in their company.  
Ychosen out through the host anon,  
With Achilles are to Messa gone.  
In which land rich and plenteous,  
reigned a king worthy and famous,  
That Tentran height which in tranquillity,  
Without were or adversity,  
Had hold his Sceptre and his royal seat,  
In this isle so pleasant and so mete.  
Albe that some say that this little isle,  
To the kingdom longeth of Cecyle.  
And hath his name given of plenty,  
After Messane an huge great Cite.  
Full plenteous both on se and land.  
The which kingdom as I understand,  
Is said Messena of Messes in latin,  
Through abundance of fruit corn & wine.  
At the arrival on the plains large,  
Where they are wont for to stuff & charge,  
Merchant ships of strange far country.  
That thither sail by the large sea.  
To fetch victual aye from year to year.  
Fro many cost of lands far and near,  
Only by exchange of merchandise,  
And eke also as books can devise.  
And as Guido full plainly telleth us,  
That of a king called Messanus,  
This country first of Messa took the name,  
That in his time was of great fame,  
Passing rich and wonder plenteous.  
But of all this Dares Frygyus,  
In his book maketh no mention.  
But shortly telleth in conclusion,  
How Achilles and Thelephus also.  
To Messena be together go.  
With three thousand of greeks chosen out.  
Most manly men amongs all their rout.  
The which as fast as they 'gan to land,  
And the king 'gan to understand,  
Of their coming he is descended down.  
With all the worthy of his regiowne,  
On horse and foot in steel armed bright,  
Against Greeks manfully to fight,  
Them to devoid plainly if they can,  
And suddenly thus the skermyshe 'gan,  
Atwixe Greeks and other mortal fone.  
On other part there was many one,  
Slain and hurt & to the death ywounded,  
Never lykly thereof to be sounded.  
¶ For other treat was them not atween,  
But swerdis sharp and spears square & keen.  
Now here now there that they go to ground,  
For every man his foo for to confound,  
His labour did and his business.  
And though grekis through their worthiness  
Had on their foen much land ywon,  
Yet to retire after they begun,  
And marvel none because that their fone,  
Had alway three in number against one.  
For the time it may none other be,  
Till Achilles 'gan behold and see,  
The mortal slaughter upon greeks side.  
turning the back with wounds large & wide.  
Of hasty rancour chaungen 'gan his blood,  
And for ire furious and wood,  
When he beheld his men lose their land,  
He with the sword which he held in his hand,  
Made way killed and bore down,  
And in the field like a fierce lion,  
He fared in sooth when that his men were slawe.  
Making his foen backward to withdraw.  
And his greeks so manly recomfort,  
That maugre them he made them to resort.  
¶ And who that ever in his way stood,  
Without mercy he killeth in his mode.  
There gaineth nought in his cruelty,  
For doubtless ne had his manhood be,  
His passing renown and his worthiness,  
His knighthod eke and his high prowess,  
The Greeks had that day finally,  
Vanquished be without remedy.  
But through his help they recure all,  
For Achilles' sturdy as a wall,  
'Gan search sheltrouns & their ranges broke,  
Tofore whose face his foemen go to wreck.  
¶ And alderlast when he 'gan espy,  
Tentran the king through his chivalry,  
Defend himself like a worthy knight,  
And as a Lion bore him in his fight,  
Now here now there greeks so oppress.  
This Achilles of cruel hardiness,  
Ne would cease in his pursewing,  
Through the ward till he came to the king.  
Of manly force stout and full of pride,  
Making a way round on every side,  
Again whose might nothing might avail.  
¶ And of Tentran first the aventail,  
He razed hath and rend the male asunder,  
And all to hew that it was a wonder,  
To consider that day his cruelty.  
And after that all to broke hath he,  
His bassenet with many cruel wound.  
And by his might smit the king to ground.  
And in all haste he maked hath no let,  
From of his head to rend his bassenet.  
And merciless for to do vengeance,  
His harm he 'gan on height to advance,  
Fully in purpose that he should be dead,  
And raunsomles 'gan amyn at his head,  
With bloody sword and despitous heart,  
Casting plainly he should not asterte,  
In his Ire he was so furious.  
¶ But of fortune it befell right thus.  
Thelephus the young lusty knight,  
casually thereof had a sight,  
And of Achilles the manner full beheld,  
The stroke anon he bore up with his shield.  
And 'gan Achilles meekly for to prey,  
To have pity so to do him die.  
Sith he lay wounded almost to the death.  
Brought to the point to yelden up the breath.  
Beseeching him for his beningnyte,  
Of manly ruth and eke knightly pity,  
Withdraw his hand and to do him grace,  
And grant him life for a little space.  
Sith every knight should of gentleness,  
His enemy spare when he is in distress.  
To utterance brought and specially when he,  
Mercy requireth of humble voluntee.  
¶ To whom Achilles fervent in his ire,  
As he that was of rancour set a fire,  
Answered again what list the so to prey,  
For him that nolde of pride our will obey.  
But begin a were where as was no need.  
Of high disdain and indignation,  
Having a trust of presumption,  
In his manhood which might him not avail.  
Against greeks to holden a battle.  
As it is proved plainly in the end,  
All otherwise shortly than he wend.  
For in the dyche justly he is fall,  
Which he hath made of malices for us all.  
¶ Where we of will nor entention,  
Gave unto him none occasion,  
Upon no side platly fer nor near,  
Nor ministered to him no such matter,  
Nor to his land menten no damage.  
But he himself ground of all this rage,  
Without offence done to him of us.  
¶ And eft again this young Thelephus,  
Humbly required hath of him Achylle,  
Of knightly ruth his asking to fulfil.  
And to have mercy on him in this case.  
For with my father this king whilom was.  
Quod Thelephus by bond confederate.  
Which lieth now here all disconsolate.  
Expectant only with a deadly face,  
Upon the hour when his ghost shall place,  
Through girt alas with many mortal wound.  
¶ And for because that I have in him found,  
Afore this time assured great kindness,  
For of manhood and of gentleness,  
In the bounds of his regiowne,  
He unto me through his high renown,  
Whilom as I casually 'gan ride,  
showed in sooth upon every side,  
Full royal cheer and great humanity.  
That I am bound as of very duytee,  
To remember and to have in mind.  
And doubtless else me seemeth I were unkind  
Which after would my name foul a twyte,  
And for that I in part would him acquit.  
I you beseech of respite of his life.  
And Achilles withouten any strife,  
delivered hath the story telleth thus,  
Tentran freely unto Thelephus.  
Whether him list to saven or to spill.  
And when that he had him at his will,  
He hath considered by his wounds green,  
That were so mortal soothly and so keen,  
Of very need that he must die.  
There was no gain nor no remedy.  
Nor avail may no medicine.  
The hour when Phebus westward 'gan decline  
And the battle brought was to an end,  
While the greeks to their ships wend,  
The mean while Tentran for the pain,  
Of his wounds 'gan more & more complain.  
Without staunch so piteously they bleed.  
His officers fast 'gan them speed,  
In a litter made tho full royal,  
Toward his palace & dung own principal,  
To carry him soft and easily.  
¶ And at his prayer full benignly,  
Thelephus and also Achilles,  
Conveyed him among all the press,  
Till he was brought there as him list to be.  
And they received like to their degree.  
Full royally the king aye languishing,  
As he that drew toward his ending,  
And might not longer drawn forth a length,  
His woeful life so week was he of strength,  
That his spirit must algates wend.  
And he in haste caused for to send,  
For Achilles and for Thelephus,  
And when they came he said unto them thus.  
¶ Sires quoth he full worthy of degree,  
Health and honour with long prosperity,  
Be unto you and goodly adventure,  
All the while that your life may dure.  
And specially of the Oh Thelephus,  
Which haste to me be so gracious,  
Of gentleness in my pains strong,  
Only of grace my life for to prolong.  
But death alas I may not now eschew.  
Nor his sword on no part remove.  
Without recure knit in bitter bonds,  
Upon the brink fall of fates hands,  
And of my life all fully in despair,  
Which of my body never might have heir.  
After my day by succession.  
As to govern this little region.  
Which likely is to stand disconsolate,  
Of governance and fully desolate.  
Which erst I won with full great travail,  
And to this day with were & strong battle  
I have it kept as ye well know eachone.  
And it defended from all manner fone,  
Withouten loss years heretoforne.  
But recurlees of yore I had it lost,  
Ne had I had help and eke succour,  
Of Hercules the great conqueror.  
That whilom was father to Thelephus.  
So strong so mighty and so chivalrous.  
By whose manhood and whose hardiness,  
By his knighthood and great worthiness,  
Which day by day is new of memory,  
Of all my foen I had the victory.  
He daunted them and made them so a feared,  
Only by rigour of his sharp sword,  
That finally through his manlyhood,  
He caused me this reign to possede.  
Maugre their might in peace and quiet.  
With sceptre and crown and my royal seat.  
That none of them till that he was dead,  
Hardy was to lift up the head,  
Against me to speak but words few,  
Whereby I may fully declare and show,  
By evidence that this little isle,  
Is perteynent and longeth to Cecyle.  
Where Hercules for a memorial,  
Set pillars in his conquest royal.  
When he had ride and gone though so far,  
And of Columpna yet the name they bear,  
After him called Herculea.  
Though some say they height Herracula.  
The name changing by corruption.  
The which land was whilom mansion,  
To the people of wild Barbarye.  
The which kingdom for to magnify,  
frederic soothly the second,  
Of gold and good passingly abound,  
That chosen was to be Emperor,  
Of Rome town and mighty governor,  
And whilom eke king was of Cecyle,  
Which made raise in that large isle,  
A mighty tour high and thick of wall,  
As saith Guydo for a memorial,  
To put his name long in remembrance,  
And for the soil was to his pleasance,  
With flowers fresh of many sundry hew,  
In some books the land was named new,  
And ycalled as I understand,  
For his fairness the lusty new land.  
But Tentran aye lying in his pain,  
As he that fast 'gan the hour attain,  
Of cruel death afore his lords all,  
He made in haste Thelephus to call,  
To his presence and with a mortal cheer,  
Said openly that all men mighten here.  
My son quoth he sith needily I must place,  
Out of this world for gain may no grace,  
My life to save through no man's might.  
But for because of equity and right,  
I am compelled justly in sentence,  
To declare clearly my conscience,  
Tofore my death hearing all this press,  
This to say thy father Hercules,  
The wise worthy and that knightly man,  
Whilom this land through his conquest wan:  
The which only of his godlyhead,  
As he that was the stock of manlyhead,  
Took unto me by commission,  
The governance of this region:  
Of his free will with hole the regally.  
And nolde himself the country occupy.  
And soothly yet his right was not the lass.  
For love of whom sith that I shall pass,  
With full intent of my last will,  
To the I grant as it is right and skill,  
As very heir justly to succeed.  
Long in honour therein thy life to lead,  
Making there a protestation,  
That in full token and confirmation,  
This is the will final of mine heart.  
Fro the which no man may me divert,  
Upon no side nor utterly decline.  
¶ For first my will and dissent of line,  
Be together combyne now in one.  
From which thing no man may do me gone,  
For this desire last of my languor,  
That thou plainly be my successor.  
And finally thus I conclude and dame,  
That unto the Sceptre and diadem,  
delivered be with every circumstance.  
But all his will for more assurance,  
He made do write it in his testament.  
The fine concluding of his last intent.  
And after that he full piteously,  
Besought Thelephus most heartily,  
Of manly ruth and knightly gentleness,  
To do his devoir and his business.  
After his death like his estate royal,  
To hallow and hold his feast funeral,  
solemnly and the exequys do.  
And suddenly without words more,  
The king Tentran yieldeth up the ghost.  
And went his way I note to what cost.  
I can not dame of such mystyhede.  
And when Percas broken had the thread,  
On the rock and he was forth his way,  
Then Thelephus out of marble grey,  
Curiously a tomb made do carve.  
The dead corpse therein to conserve,  
Full richly and above the grave.  
An Epythaphe anon he did do grave.  
In his honour plainly to express,  
His knighthood both and his worthiness.  
And how his ghost and he were divorced,  
With letters rich of gold above enboced.  
Round about wonder curious.  
On his tomb that saiden plainly thus.  
Here lieth Tentran the king doubtless,  
Whilom slain of cruel Achilles.  
That his sceptre and the regally,  
holy gave which no man may deny,  
To Thelephus the son of Hercules.  
Which in his tomb resteth now in peace.  
When this performed was in every thing,  
And Thelephus of Messa crowned king,  
And high and low all by one assent,  
Had solemnly in open parliament,  
Made faith to him and ydone homage,  
Like their degrees as they were of age,  
And with hole heart in all their best intent,  
By oath assured and by sacrament,  
As true lieges received him for king.  
¶ Than Achilles without more tarrying,  
When all was set in peace and governance  
Without grutchinge or any variance,  
To their ships anon he made carry,  
Every thing that was necessary,  
To the greeks, corn, fruit, or victual.  
Flesh or, fish, or what that might avail.  
To hosteing or help them in their need.  
Down to the sea he all this did lead,  
Fully their vessel for to stuff and lade.  
And Thelephus after this he made,  
Still in bounds of his region,  
For to abide for this conclusion.  
That through his help and his diligence,  
Business and discrete providence,  
Again all mischief and all scarsytee,  
When they need he might their succour be.   

ALbe that he like as saith Guydo,  
With Achilles' full fain would have go,  
But he abode soothly for the best.  
By bond assured fully and behest.  
In every thing greeks to relieve,  
And than in haste Achilles took his leave.  
Of Thelephus and 'gan anon to sail,  
All his shyphes stuffed with victual,  
Toward greeks as made is menciowne.  
And in short time he at Tenedowne,  
arrived is and taken hath the ground.  
With all his knights likewise hole & sound,  
¶ And after this to Agamenon,  
He first hath made full relation,  
Of his exploit like as it was fall.  
In the presence of his lords all.  
Sitting environ many worthy knight.  
¶ And first in Messa he telleth of the fight,  
When they entered and of their welcoming,  
And seriously he told eke of the king,  
That Tentran height and plainly also how,  
Achilles amid the field him slow.  
And or his death how he of hole intent,  
Fully ordained in his testament,  
Thelephus also to be his heir.  
All this he told and eke of his repair,  
Unto the sea and eke of the victual.  
¶ And Thelephus how he will not fail,  
To send them all that may them please.  
Of which thing the greeks in great ease,  
Were brought of heart and like wonder well.  
When Achilles had told them everydeal,  
And greatly praised his high providence.  
His manhood both and his sapience.  
In his out being that he bore him so,  
And after this Achilles is ygo,  
To his lodging a little there beside.  
Where his knights upon him abide,  
Myrmydones full glade of his coming.  
And him received as longeth to a king.  
Where he abode and rested him a while.  
¶ But for Guydo declineth here his style,  
From the greeks to them of Troy town,  
I must also make digressyowne,  
Of mine author the steps for to sew.  
Like as it is convenient and dew,  
To my matter sith he is my guide.  
And for a while greeks set aside.  
I will rehearse how Dares Frygyus,  
In Troy book declareth unto us,  
And seriously maketh menciowne,  
Of the lords that came to Troy town,  
To helpen them manly in their defence,  
Against greeks to maken resistance.  
With ordinance of many divers things,  
There came to them, earl's, Dukes, & kings.  
As in Dares plainly is made mind,  
Read his book and there ye may it find.  
¶ And alder first I read how that he,  
specially speaketh of kings three.  
Full manly men and also of great fame.  
All be that he rehearseth not the name,  
Of their kyndomes yet he writeth thus,  
¶ The first of them was called Pandarus.  
And as I read Tapor the second,  
The third Andrastrus like as it is found.  
And as Guydo list to specify,  
Three thousand knights in their company,  
And manly men they were everichone.  
¶ And from an isle called Coleson,  
Like as Dares listeth to express,  
There came also of excellent prowess,  
¶ Kings four of which the first was,  
As he hath writ ynamed Carras.  
And the second hight Ymasyus.  
Nestor the third the four Amphymacus.  
And five thousand worthy knights all,  
There came with them manly for to fall,  
Upon the greeks in helping of the town,  
And fro the province known of great renown  
Called Lycye came the king Glaucon,  
And with him brought his son Sarpedon.  
A noble knight in arms full famous,  
And was allied to king Pryamus.  
And three thousand if I shall not fain,  
There came of knights with these lords twain.  
¶ And from Larysse a rich land also,  
As I find there camen kings two,  
And them to quite manly as they ought,  
A thousand knights they to Troy brought.  
¶ And from a kingdom named Lycaowne,  
Euphemus a king of great renown,  
Brought with him as Dares doth witness,  
A thousand knights of great worthiness.  
And five hundred Dares telleth us,  
Came with Hupon and with Epedus,  
Many knights in plates of silver bright,  
And with him eke a king that Remus height.  
Brought iii thousand to Troy many mile,  
From Tabaria his large mighty isle.  
And Dukes four with all their chivalry,  
And Earls viii came in his company.  
Having in arms great experience.  
And all they bore without difference,  
Their men & they when they were in the field,  
The chief of gold everich in his shield,  
Whereby the king and holy his navy,  
Among them all known mighten be,  
Albe that other bore eke the same.  
Also from Trace king Pylex by his name,  
From thilk Trace that is most excellent,  
Which in the plague of the Orient,  
Haveth his scyte from which this mighty king,  
A thousand knights brought at his coming.  
As mine auctor recordeth eke also,  
An hundred knights be to Troy go,  
With Alchamus a worthy Duke famous.  
That came with Pilex Guydo writeth thus.  
Troyans to help in their great need,  
And fro Pavonye soothly as I read,  
Came Pretemessus the noble warrior,  
Lord of that land king and governor.  
And duke Stupex with him also had,  
And of knights a thousand that he lad.  
Toward Troy from his region.  
And as this story maketh mention,  
That province standeth most by wilderness,  
And by woods of plenteous thickness,  
Wherein grow full many divers tree,  
And most is forest that men may there see.  
For they there build houses but a few.  
And in that land full diversly them show,  
Many likeness quaint and monstrous,  
Beasts uncouth to sight marvelous.  
Stoundmele as by appearance.  
By illusion false in existence.  
Wonder gastfull plainly for to seen,  
For divers gods of the woods green,  
Apperen there called Satyrye,  
Bycornes eke Fawny and Incubye.  
That cause often men to fall in rage.  
And of this land the people full savage.  
Hardy knights furious and wood,  
And desirous aye to sheden blood.  
Greatly expert specially to sheet,  
With dart and spear perilous for to mete.  
For they cast even as any line.  
¶ And from an isle that named was Boetine,  
In great array to Troy the city,  
Like as I find there came Duke's three.  
The first of all called Amphymus,  
Samus the second the third Forcius.  
And as saith Dares which listeth not to lie,  
Twelve hundred knights in their company.  
¶ And fro Brotyne as made is remembrance  
The rich land that hath such abundance,  
Of spices, gums, fruits, corn, and wine,  
Wholesome roots, rinds, rich and fine,  
Wonder uncouth and precious also,  
Out of which there comen kings two.  
Full knightly men in arms desirous,  
King Bootes' and Epristuis,  
And with them brought to Troy from far,  
A thousand knights arrayed for the were.  
¶ And fro the land called Pafflagonye,  
Which severed is from all company,  
As books say that be historical.  
Under the plague that is oriental,  
Set so far as made is rehearsal,  
That few or none to that land travail,  
For there to come is near impossible.  
For which that land is called invisible,  
Because only of his remosion,  
And yet it is a rich region.  
Of gold and silver also and of stones,  
And habundaunte of plenty for the nonce.  
It is so full of treasure and of good.  
And hath his scyte on the rich flood,  
Ynamed Tiger not fer from Eufrates,  
As saith mine author that called is Dares.  
From which land in steel armed clean,  
A thousand knights came with Phylomene.  
The worthy king whose shields out of dread,  
Were of cuirboilye in Guydo as I read.  
With gold depaint & fret with stones rich,  
that in this world I trow there was none liche,  
Out of the floods chosen by devise,  
Which have their course out of paradise.  
The which king a Giant of stature,  
And of his making passing all measure.  
Strong and deliver also as I find.  
¶ And fro the land that marcheth upon Ind,  
King Perses came with many knightly man,  
And he also that with his hand him won,  
So moche honour the noble king Menon,  
And eke his brother called Sygomon.  
Which from the land of their subiectiowne,  
Of dukes, earls, and knights of renown,  
Three thousand brought all in plates sheen.  
With spears round whet full square and keen  
From ethiop came this noble rout.  
¶ And from the kingdom also out of doubt,  
That Thereo of Dares called is,  
Came the kyngfull prudent and full wise,  
The manly man named Theseus,  
And eke his son that height Archylogus.  
A thousand knights in their company,  
And Theseus full nigh was of ally,  
To Pryamus by dissent of blood.  
And kings twain passing rich of good,  
And renowned of knighthood as by fame,  
Albe that Guydo rehearseth not their name.  
Yet in this story he maketh mention,  
That from Agresta the little region,  
A thousand knights they brought unto Troy,  
The greeks pride to daunt and to acoye.  
For they were chosen and picked for the nonce.  
¶ And from: he land beyond the Amazons,  
Lyssynya the king Epystrophus,  
So wise, so worthy, and inly virtuous.  
Passing of counsel and discretion,  
And with all this full worthy of renown.  
He proved was also in special,  
And in the arts called liberal,  
He learned was and expert a right.  
notwithstanding he was a worthy knight.  
In were and peace manful and right sage,  
Albe that he was run far in age.  
And as the story maketh rehearsal,  
A thousand knights clad in plate & mail,  
To Troy town I find that he lad.  
And with him Guydo saith that he had,  
A wonder archer of sight marvelous,  
Of form and shap in manner monstrous,  
For like mine author as I rehearse can,  
From the navel upward he was man,  
And lower down like a horse yshaped,  
And thilk part that after man was maked,  
Of skin was black and rough as any bear,  
Covered with here fro cold him for to were.  
Passing foul and horrible of sight,  
Whose eyen twain were sparkling as bright,  
As is a furnaces with his read levene.  
Or the lightning that falleth from that heaven,  
dreadful of look and read as fire of cheer,  
And as I read he was a good archer.  
And with his bow both at even & morrow,  
Upon greeks he wrought moche sorrow.  
And gasted them with many hideous look,  
So stern he was that many of them quoke,  
When they him saw so ugly and horrible.  
And more loathsome than it is credible.  
That many one hath wounded to the death,  
And caused them to yelden up the breath.  
On greeks side as ye shall after here.  
¶ And in this wise assembled been yfere,  
Kings, Dukes, and Earls of renown,  
From sundry lands within Troy town,  
That been ygathred and come fro so far,  
As saith Dares to help them in this were.  
That were in numbered as he maketh mind,  
Two and thirty thousand as I find.  
Of worthy knights and lords of estate,  
That sith the world was formed & create,  
Ne was seen I trow in one city.  
Together assembled of so high degree,  
Nor of knights so great a multitude.  
And yet this Dares soothly to conclude,  
In his book maketh of them no mind.  
That came to Troy out of smaler Ind.  
Nouther of them most famous of renown,  
That were with Priam yborn of Troy town.  
¶ That finally if it be truly sought,  
Sith the hour that this world was wrought,  
I dare affirm under Phoebus' sphere,  
So many worthy were not met yfere.  
Of manly men flowering in lustiness,  
So fresh, so young, and as by likeliness,  
In every point of shape and of array,  
For to do well. for soothly this is no nay,  
Who list consider upon other side,  
For through the world where men go or ride,  
The flower of knighthood and of worthiness,  
Of chivalry and of high prowess,  
Assembled was without and within,  
Fully assented the were so to begin.  
¶ Wherefore ye lysters taketh now good heed,  
That you delight in this book to read.  
first for how little that this were began,  
How light the cause for which so many a man,  
Hath lost his life in mischief piteously.  
And yet no man can beware thereby.  
Almost for nought was this strife begun.  
And who list look they have hereby nought won,  
But only death alas the hard stound.  
So many knight caught his deaths wound,  
Without recure or any remedy.  
¶ And for a woman if I shall not lie,  
'Gan all this strife it was the more pity.  
That so great mischief or adversity,  
Of mortal slaughter ever should betide.  
Better had be to have set aside,  
Such quarrels all dear enough a mite,  
And let them pass or that the vengeance bite.  
For wisdom were to cast afore and see,  
If such sklaunders might eschewed be,  
Or the venom gineth for to ripe.  
For though the men with horns blow & pipe,  
When the house is fired in his heat,  
Of the spark to late is then to treat,  
That caused all wherefore at the ginning,  
The remedy is put of every thing.  
As every wight may dame in his reason.  
¶ And while that greeks lay at Tenedon,  
Them to refresh and to rest in peace,  
The worthy king that height Pallamydes,  
With thirty ships out of greeks land,  
Stuffed with knights full worthy of their hand,  
The best choice of all his region,  
arrived is up at Tenedon.  
Whereof the greeks when they had a sight,  
Rejoicing them were right glad and light,  
Having regard unto his worthiness.  
Where they afore had made heaviness,  
For his absence that he was so long.  
And some of them grudged at him strong,  
For he ne kept his monster at Athene.  
But for to show that he was all clean,  
Of any spot in his conscience,  
Full manfully in open audience,  
Like a knight he 'gan himself excuse,  
Stopping all though that thereon list to muse.  
¶ Of his absence showing the cause why,  
That for sickness and sudden malady,  
He was constrained his presence to withdraw  
And for they saw that sickness hath no law,  
They held excused fully his absence.  
¶ And for he was of most reverence,  
Among greeks so no wight the second.  
And was also full wise and eke abound,  
Of gold and good advice and prudent,  
That what so ever he set on his intent,  
knightly & wisely he would aye well achieve.  
And what soever he 'gan he nolde it leave,  
Maugre his foen in no manner wise.  
Till that he saw a fine of his emprise.  
And for he was most of opinion,  
Among greeks and reputation.  
They him besought that he would be,  
Of their counsel avisely to force,  
What were to do in every manner thing.  
And he assenteth unto their asking.  
benignly of his great gentleness.  
And greeks than did their business,  
To proceed withouten more delay,  
Them to enhaste in all that ever they may,  
To begin a siege and differre it nought.  
And sundry ways they searched have & sought  
In their wits how from Tenedowne,  
They may remove towards Troy town.  
From the haven where their ships be.  
And some thought most commodity,  
For best exploit by night privily,  
Toward Troy town that stood but fast by,  
Proudly to sail with their ships all.  
And some said great peril might be fall,  
Toward night for take the sea,  
Lest with darkness they ennosed be.  
In their passage knowing not the way.  
Whereof great harm after fall may.  
And thus divers of opinion,  
proceeding not to no conclusion,  
For in effect their purpose not ne held,  
But still abiden lodged in the field.  
Like as they had entryked be with dread.  
¶ Till on a day the worthy diomed,  
Of the greeks saying the cowardice,  
Even thus he his counsel 'gan devise.  
¶ Sires quoth he that be here now present,  
If that he list all by one assent,  
Goodly consider adverting prudently,  
What I shall say tofore you openly,  
Which of knighthood have so noble name,  
soothly me seemeth we oughten have great shame,  
Which hold ourself so mighty & so strong,  
And in this land sojourned have so long,  
Nigh all this year and dursten in no wise,  
Remove hence for very cowardice.  
What have we do nought else certainly,  
But to our foen granted foolily,  
Even at their lust space and liberty,  
To make them strong and opportunity,  
Us to withstand plainly at the hand,  
And so they will ye may well understand.  
¶ For day by day to our confusiowne,  
They sought ways full wisely up & down,  
To get them help in the mean space,  
And them enforced about in every place,  
Their large Cite with bars & with palis.  
Their walls mascued and again our skalis,  
Trusteth thereon made great ordinance.  
And with all this of our governance,  
They have espied seeing that for dread,  
We have no heart manly to proceed,  
In our purpose to hold with them the were.  
And aye the more they see that we differre,  
The more they will catchen hardiness.  
Us to resist with all their business.  
Also I see and trust it verily,  
That if we had afore hand manfully,  
As we began knightly forth continued,  
Our journey had better be fortuned.  
If suddenly with strong and mighty hand,  
They vnauysed we had into their land,  
Without abode afore this time arrived.  
Of which a while we must be deprived.  
And delayed where first the victory,  
To our honour with palm of high glory,  
We might soothly ne had be our sloth,  
Our will complyshed this the plain truth  
Where maugre us or we to land arrive,  
With strong defence they will again us strive.  
And put us of or we the strand may win.  
For aye the more we tarry to begin,  
The more in sooth for me list not lie,  
We put ourself eachone in jeopardy,  
What should I say or fage from the truth.  
For our tarrying and our coward sloth,  
Are likely after to turn us to great sorrow.  
Wherefore betimes on the next morrow,  
My counsel is our anchors up to pull.  
In this matter no longer that we dull.  
But to enarme our ships for the were,  
And at the uprise of the morrow star,  
Let us ordain with knightly apparel,  
Out of this haven with the wind to sail.  
Of manly heart and lusty fresh courage.  
Our course holding and our right passage,  
Toward Troy and landen openly.  
What ever fall for trust sykerlye,  
Without scarmishe we may not arrive.  
For they of Troy descend will as believe,  
Like manly men to meet us in the beard.  
But for all that let us not be afeard,  
But dread avoid and manhood set afore,  
That cowardice ne entre at no boar.  
For to adaunt the manhood of your heart.  
And with that word greeks 'gan advert,  
The manly counsel of this Diomedes,  
And in effect to proceed in deed,  
Unto the point and for nothing will spare,  
And in what wise anon I will declare.    

¶ How the greeks landed tofore Troy, where they were stoutly fought with all. Ca xxi.  

THe next morrow wonderly betime,  
Or Phoebus rose long or it was prime,  
When it began full merrily to daw.  
The greeks host to shipward ginnen draw,  
With manly heart fully devoid of dread,  
Only through comfort of this Diomedes.  
But alder first anon as they awake,  
The lords wisely 'gan their counsel take,  
And concluded among them everyone,  
Which of their ships should the formest gone,  
And on the sea how they should them guy.  
So to arrive that no man them aspye.  
This was devised at a certain mark.  
The night passed at singing of the lark,  
Greeks been shipped without more tarrying.  
Both high and low rathe in the dawning.  
¶ And first tofore an hundred ships of tour  
Stuffed with many worthy werrioure,  
'Gan proudly sail as they had in charge,  
And their banners broad bright and large,  
Were displayed out on every side,  
As they depart the foamy waves wide.  
That to sight whelmen up so green.  
And next to them for were enarmed clean,  
¶ Another hundred followed fast by.  
Which bore their sails passing proudly.  
In which there was full many worthy knight  
Armed in mail and in plates bright.  
And after followeth holy their navy,  
That as I trow such a company,  
Of worthy knights and lords of degree,  
Was never afore seen upon the see.  
And Aeolus was to them fortunate,  
And eke Neptune made though none debate,  
with wind nor trouble among the stern waves,  
The attempre wether full merry to them daws.  
That in a tide as they sailed tied,  
Of Troy town they caught anon a sight.  
Whereof in heart full glad and light they be.  
But when Troyans' first their ships see,  
So proudly sail a little from the strand,  
And saw how they cast thenn for to land,  
They bode no more but arm them hastily,  
In plate and mail and jacks richly,  
With Irous heart and that was done anon,  
And took their horse & forth in hast they gone  
Out at the gates and made no tarrying,  
For they ne bide prince duke nor king.  
Nor other lord to guide them or govern,  
But hast them forth so many & so yearn,  
Through out the field so great a multitude,  
amongs whom were no folks rude,  
But manly men thriftily be sayne.  
So cleanly armed on the large plain.  
That when the greeks 'gan them first behold,  
The great number made their hearts cold.  
For there was none so manly them among,  
So young so fresh so hardy nor so strong.  
Of high estate nor of low degree,  
That he ne was atoned for to see,  
The hardy Troyans' so proudly down descend.  
To let Greeks that they not ascend.  
That well they witted and seem utterly,  
There was none other mean tarive by,  
But only death or manly for to fight,  
Or cowardly take them to the flight.  
For other conduit plainly none there was.  
But sharp sword and spears in this case.  
Till suddenly the hardy fierce king,  
Prothesalius which in his governing,  
Formest of all an hundred ships lad,  
'Gan hast him for Ire that he had,  
To win the land first if it would be.  
To meet with them so great desire had he.  
But such a wind 'gan in the sail drive,  
Of his ships when he shope to arrive▪  
That he unwarely s 〈…〉 upon the land.  
On the getteys and the dry sand,  
That his ships shivered all asunder,  
And some dreynt to broke here and yon●er.  
And devoured of the wawy see,  
That it was ruth and pity for to see.  
For greater part as tho gone to wreck,  
And whiles some were busy for to take.  
The dry land with filth and mud ylade,  
Troyans' of them full cruel slaughter made.  
Maugre their might greeks so constrained,  
That which their blood the waves were ystayned  
So mortally that soothly to behold,  
Among the sonde pale dead and cold,  
The greeks lie with wounds fresh & green.  
And all the air with shoot of arrows keen,  
Yshadowed was the Phoebus beams bright,  
Upon the soil was darked of his light.  
And new always trojans them assail,  
That to greeks plainly this rival,  
So mortal was and so infortunate,  
So unwelfull and disconsolate,  
So undisposed through infelicitee,  
That I trow never erst out of see,  
Ne came none host more harder to the land.  
But for all that greeks ne would wonde,  
For life nor death manly to aryve.  
And so befell of adventure as blyve,  
¶ Three hundred ships the next after sew,  
Aduysedly and in a time dew,  
Be entered and in haste not to fast.  
And strike sail and their anchors cast.  
For they were there strongly embattled,  
In their landing lest they were assailed,  
And wisely first they set their arbalesters,  
And their gonners and their best archers.  
With pavysers for to go aforne,  
Knightly to land though troyans hadden sworn,  
The contrary proudly them to let,  
Yet for all that fiercely up they set,  
The greekish shoot made them to withdraw.  
And many of them on the land lay slawe.  
That maugre them the strand they recure.  
And such as might most manfully endure,  
Was set afore till they the land have take.  
And all at once such assault they make,  
Upon Trojans and though began the fight.  
When Prothesylaus the noble worthy knight,  
Wonder lively and right passing strong,  
With the greeks that entered in among.  
The hardy trojans & every where then sought  
For he of arms marvels on them wrought,  
Thilk day through his worthiness,  
That many Trojan he brought in distress,  
Where as he went they felt full unsoft.  
Through whose manhood greeks were aloft,  
For thilk day no had his knighthod be,  
The greeks had in great adversity,  
Be vanquished by fatal purveyance,  
And finally brought unto utterance.  
You aback plainly this no lie,  
But what availeth all his chivalry.  
His worthiness or his fierce courage,  
What might it help or do advantage.  
Sith. seven. thousand greeks had ado  
With an hundred thousand trojans tho.  
It marvel was how they might endure,  
In any wise the strand to recure.  
Or so few for to hold a field,  
But in themself one thing they beheld,  
Full prudently which tho gave them heart,  
That they saw they mighten not asterte,  
To scape with life if they woulden i'll.  
For at their back was nothing but the see.  
And them to fore an host so great and huge,  
And other way was there no refuge,  
But die at once or fight manfully.  
Wherefore they cast and shope them knightly,  
Like manly men their lives rather ieoparte,  
Than cowardly from their foen depart.  
To lose their ground and drenchen in the see.  
And thus as long as it would be,  
Greeks defend them for above their might,  
Albe that many killed were in this fight.  
That the streams of their red blood,  
Ran in the sonde large as any flood.  
So cruelly Troyans' on them set.  
With spear & sword full sharp ground & whet.  
That ruth was and pity for to think,  
Till they almost drove them to the brink.  
Where the greeks in mischief and distress,  
In great anguish and passing weariness,  
themself defend mate and full ywery.  
Where they should have perished utterly,  
Recureless in sooth for evermore,  
Ne had Archelaus and worthy Prothenor,  
From their ships arrived unto land.  
Of sudden hap with them for to stand.  
And yet they had full great adversity,  
For to arrive through the cruelty,  
Of the Troyans' but yet the land they win.  
And greeks than cruelly begin,  
Again their foen to standen at defence,  
With manly force and with great violence.  
though 'gan increase the bloody were new,  
That all the soil depainted was with the dew.  
That first was green turned into red,  
On each side so many one lay dead.  
Upon the ground of his life deprived.  
¶ But duke Nestor all suddenly arrived,  
With his knights fell and full Irous,  
And of heart right melancolious.  
With his spears and archers out aside,  
He entered in stern and full of pride.  
With sword & are ground sharp and keen.  
They ran yfere and met upon the green,  
And hooked arrows always flew among,  
And shafts shiver braced and turn wrong.  
And with their tolls steled and well whet,  
The long day they have together met.  
And the slaughter new alway began.  
On every half of many worthy man.  
With wounds large and despitous.  
¶ For Prothenor and king Archelaus,  
With swords stiff among the renges carve,  
That many Trojan made for to starve,  
They were that day so passingly Irous.  
And them t'avenge inly desirous,  
Never seizing in their pursewing,  
¶ And to relieve them Alagus the king,  
Ylonded is and eke king Attalus,  
Which on Troyans' were full envious.  
Brenning of ire as the fiery gleed,  
And upon them of very old hatred,  
With their knights suddenly be fall,  
And in their ire bitterer than gall,  
Cruelly there they their foen oppress,  
And of assent did their business,  
Maugre them backward to resort,  
Amid the field as I can report,  
There was no choice so they were constrained  
Of very force and of manhood pained,  
To withdraw to their confusiowne.  
But than in haste down from Troy town,  
Of worthy knights freshly armed new,  
With devices of many sundry hew,  
Without abode shortly to conclude,  
There came down so great a multitude,  
Each his arms depaynte upon the shield,  
That in their coming glittereth all the field,  
Of their armure as the son bright.  
And when that they were entered in to fight,  
Greeks meeting felly by envy,  
They set upon fret with melancholy.  
With such a will of heart and of courage,  
With such fury in their mortal rage,  
That to accord was none other mean.  
But slaught and death them to go between.  
Through stroke of axe of dagger and of spear.  
That of force compelled the greeks were,  
Them return backward to the strand.  
To whose rescuse anon there came to land,  
The king Vlixes with his hole navy.  
And full knightly with his chivalry,  
Towards Troyans' enhasteth him anon.  
And of one heart the greeks with him gone,  
And their courage holy they resume,  
And 'gan their foen felly to consume.  
Unto the death their damage to revenge.  
That no wight may justly them challenge,  
Of manhood so well they have them borne.  
To acquit again their harms done before  
At which time like a fierce lion,  
Among Troyans' ranging up and down,  
Vlixes went with his sword in hand.  
He killeth slayeth and knightly 'gan to fond,  
Thilk day like a man be found.  
And here & there with many mortal wound,  
Upon Troyans' he wrought all this wrack.  
Then bearing down on foot & on horse back.  
In his ire his strokes were so keen.  
¶ At which time worthy Philomene,  
Lord and king of Pafflagonye,  
When he beheld with his company,  
So many Trojan of Vlixes slawe,  
Towards him anon he 'gan him draw,  
On horse back and with a spear round,  
Out of his sadyll bore him to the ground.  
But Vlixes rose up anon right,  
Taking his horse like a manly knight,  
The which anon as Philomene hath sayne,  
Took eft a spear and road to him again.  
So mightily and with such violence,  
That finally there gaineth no diffence,  
But that he smote him even through the shield,  
The which flew asunder in the field.  
And through his plates without any fail,  
The spear head and rested in the mail.  
That forged was of steel full sheen & bright,  
Which to pierce the spear head hath no might.  
So truly made was the haberiowne.  
But which that stroke Vlixes was boar down.  
Yet eft again he hasteth up anon,  
Ne of this stroke herme felt he none.  
And reached a spear sharp whet & yground,  
And Philomene he gave such a wound,  
With all the might of his arms twain,  
Of irous heart with so great a pain,  
That through his shield both the plate & mail,  
He smote him up through his aventail,  
Into the gorge that the stock 'gan glide,  
That from his horse he fell down aside,  
Full perilously pight upon his head.  
His knights weening soothly he were dead.  
Which took him up and laid him on a shield,  
And bore him home in haste out of the field.  
With great danger or they might him win,  
Through the greeks with their lord to twin.  
And for Troyans' supposed sickerly,  
That Philomene withouten remedy,  
Had be dead they were atoned all.  
That if this case that day ne had befall,  
Of Phylomene greeks on the strand,  
Had be outrayed arruing up to land.  
Through the knighthod this is doubtless.  
Of Phylomene whom that ulyxes,  
Unhorsed hath with a mortal wound,  
In knightly wise Troyans' to confound,  
Whereof they were atoned everyone.  
¶ But Thoas than and Agamenon,  
Of Greeks host lord and emperor,  
arrived is unto their succour.  
With all his knights and Menelaus,  
And eke the worthy Thelamonious.  
Called Ajax's is to land come.  
And they at leisure have their horse nome,  
While other greeks Troyans' occupy,  
Sore fight and they 'gan fast high,  
Towards them making no delay,  
All in a frushe in all the hast they may,  
They ran yfere and their spears brack,  
With heart envious upon horse back.  
There might men the worthy knights see,  
On their steeds each at other flee.  
With stiff sword shafts great & round.  
With hedes square the points keen ground.  
There might men see in their furious tene,  
So many knights dead upon the green.  
But most the slaughter and confusion,  
Fell thilk time of them of the town.  
The greeks were so mighty and so strong.  
And in the field this continueth long,  
¶ Till Prothesylay the strong mighty king.  
Which all the day in skarmishe and fight.  
Full like a knight had occupied be,  
Again Troyans' in his cruelty,  
Of manhood only and of worthiness.  
Of adventure in his weariness,  
Him to refresh and to taken air,  
And to abrethe him making his repair,  
To the strand where he did aryve,  
Where as he thought his heart 'gan to rive,  
Of cruel ire and also of pity,  
That he hath caught only for to see,  
His men slain endlong on the strand.  
And some of them coming up to land,  
Dreynt in the sea among the floods deep.  
For which thing he 'gan anon to weep,  
Full piteously all were it not espied,  
Whose woeful eyen might not tho be dried,  
For the constraint which sat so nigh his heart.  
Till at the last among his pains smart,  
So cruel ire 'gan his heart embrace,  
That suddenly with a despitous face,  
Without abode thought how that he,  
Upon their death would avenged be,  
Or finally at once with them die.  
And on his stead he took the right weigh,  
Toward his foen full irous in his rage,  
And line right he holdeth his passage,  
Swift as grayhound that runneth out of lose,  
And where he saw that greatest was the proof,  
He preceth through amids of the field,  
And with the sword that in his hand he held,  
That ground was to carve and to bite,  
Full mortally about him 'gan he smite.  
That these Troyans' might him not asterte,  
That he ne riveth some unto the heart.  
And some he woundeth soothly to the death,  
And some he made yelden up the breath.  
And some also unhorseth cruelly.  
And whom he met that day utterly,  
From his horse he made him to alight.  
For where he road they fled out of his sight,  
And his presence as the death eschew,  
But still in one he 'gan them after sew.  
In his chase like as a wood lion,  
For thus he playeth with them of the town.   

Till Perseus of Etheopye king,  
Came from the city suddenly riding,  
With many a knight and many lively man,  
At whose coming of new there began,  
A fresh skarmyshe furious and wood.  
That many greek that day lost his blood.  
So fell assault Troyans' on them make,  
Among them the Ethiopes black.  
To manly bore them fight here and there,  
That where the Troyans' were afore in fere,  
Remounted be and of new assured,  
that through their help they have the field recured  
And made them lose also much again,  
As they tofore wonnen on the plain.  
For they so hole and so mightily,  
Kept them together and so advisedly,  
Governed them with glaive spear and shield,  
That greeks were compelled in the field,  
Maugre who grudge of necessity,  
To the strand backward for to flee,  
Almost despaired mate and comfortless.  
But in that while king Pallamides,  
To their rescous came to aryvayle,  
All lusty fresh entereth into battle,  
With his knights and his hole maynee.  
Taking their horse tho fast by the see,  
And proudly thence embushed all at ones,  
With spear & sword yground for the nonce,  
By wise government in their doing.  
Have so oppressed at their in coming,  
The manly Troyans' that it was a wonder,  
To see them lie slain here and yonder.  
And this continueth till among the press,  
Of adventure that Pallamides,  
Brenning aye in his furious heat,  
Amid the field happeth for to meet,  
A worthy knight called Sygamon,  
Which brother was to the king Menon.  
nephew also as Guido doth rehearse,  
This manly man to the king Perce.  
Which Greeks had that day sore oppressed,  
By his knighthod as it is expressed,  
For he the greeks to his worthiness,  
Had oft scythes brought in great distress.  
The same day to his great increase.  
¶ But of Fortune alas Pallamydes,  
As I you told hath in the field him met.  
And with a spear square and sharp whet.  
When he of knighthod was most in his pride,  
He road at him and smote him through the side,  
And with that last deadly fatal wound,  
From his stead he bore him to the ground.  
And on the plain of his blood all red,  
Pallamydes left him pale and dead,  
amongs them that of Troy were.  
And forth he road & bore down here & there,  
All that ever in his way stood.  
He was on them so furious and wood.  
Maugre Troyans' tofore him on the plain,  
Made resort to the wall again,  
His manly knights always fast by,  
On him awaiting full ententifely.  
Ready to hand at every great emprise,  
But though began the noyle to arise,  
The woeful clamour and the piteous cry,  
Of them of Troy the which utterly,  
Again greeks mighten not sustain.  
The mortal sword was so sharp and keen,  
Of the noble worthy famous knight,  
Pallamydes that with his great might,  
The long day hath yborn him so,  
Again his foen and so knightly do,  
In his person through his high renown,  
That chased hath almost to the town,  
Troyans' eachone and manly made them flee.  
The noise of whom is entered the Cite,  
The hideous cry and the mortal shout.  
¶ Whereof amened Hector issueth out,  
furiously in all the hast he can,  
The son of Mars this knight this manly man,  
Of all worthy yet the worthiest.  
That ever was and the hardiest.  
For as Phoebus with his beams clear,  
Among the stars right so did he appear,  
Excelling all in steel armed bright,  
On whom it was a very heavenly sight.  
For it was he that both nigh and terre,  
Of worthiness was the load star.  
The which when he entered into field,  
Like as I read bare that day a shield,  
The field of which was of pure gold,  
With three Lions in story as is told.  
Of whose colour is made no mention,  
But as I find by description,  
They were passant if I report a right,  
Borne on the breast of this Trojan knight.  
That was the ground & rote of high prowess.  
And flower accounted of all worthiness.  
The which so manly without more abode.  
Among his knights to the greeks road,  
So like a man that they in his coming,  
Astoned were as he 'gan in thringe.  
amongs then which killeth down & slayeth,  
And whom he met there was not but death,  
Afore his sword greeks go to wreck.  
And their wards of knightly force he broke,  
Maugre their head & severed them a sunder,  
And bore all down riding here and yonder.  
And casually he meeteth in his way,  
¶ Prothesylaus which all the long day,  
Had sore fought against them of Troy.  
And slew all though that comen in his way.  
This hardy knight this worthy fierce king,  
Which on Troyans' was ever pursuing,  
He had to them so heartily great envy.  
The which thing when Hector 'gan espy,  
And of his knighthood 'gan to taken heed,  
Towards him though turneth he his stead,  
And line right of hasty Ire he road,  
And with his sword distained all with blood,  
He clove his head through his bassenet.  
With such a might that his stroke nas let,  
By force of mail nor of thick plate,  
But finally as was his mortal fate,  
the sword of Hector through nerve bone & vain  
This worthy king parted hath on twain.  
For utterly there gaineth none armure,  
Again the stroke of Hector to endure.  
But that this king so full of worthiness,  
Strong mighty and of great hardiness,  
received hath his last fatal wound.  
And lieth now dead parted on the ground.  
And Hector forth among the greeks rideth,  
And whosoever his stroke so abideth,  
Refute was none nor diffence but death.  
And many greek thus that day he slayeth,  
For which of them though in his way stood,  
His sharp sword he batheth in his blood.  
That also far as they might him see,  
As the death from his sword they i'll.  
So mortal vengeance upon them he wrought.  
And many a greek at his fellow sought,  
And 'gan inquire what he might be,  
For all their life they could never see,  
None so knightly have him in battle.  
And plainly dempte as by supposayle,  
It was Hector the noble warrior.  
Which of knighthood bore away the flower,  
Among all that ever yet were borne.  
For there nas greek that him may stand aforne  
Of all that day he 'gan them so enchase,  
To the strand even afore his face.  
For they ne durst his mortal stroke abide,  
And when he had this on every side,  
The greeks chased to the wawy sea,  
Wounded and mate in great adversity,  
Then him to rest this Trojan knight anon,  
Like Mars himself home to Troy is gone.   

AT whose parting greeks eft presume,  
Manly again their hearts to resume.  
And of new their foemen to assail.  
And to inparte if it would avail,  
Life and death to set at outraunce,  
On fortunes list if she would advance,  
Their part again in recure of the field.  
And then enforce with might of spear & shield,  
Anon forthwith and maken no delay,  
To win again on Trojans if they may.  
For viii times sithen they begun,  
The field they have that day lost and won.  
Like as fortune list to do their cure,  
Up or down for to turn her eure.  
For as her wheel went about round,  
Right so that day they won & lost their ground.  
But specially they weren most desmayde.  
When Hector came which hath them so outraide,  
Through his knighthod made their hertis rive,  
And to resort where they did aryve.  
And thus continued maugre all their might,  
While in the field was this Trojan knight.  
¶ Till Phoebus' cheer 'gan to westre down,  
That he repaired is into the town,  
Which had greeks wrought afore full ill.  
¶ But now the hardy cruel fires Achyll,  
arrived is with his knights all,  
Myrmydones whom men are wont to call.  
Which from the sea taken have the plain,  
At whose coming greeks have again,  
The field recured and put themself in press  
Only through help of worthy Achilles.  
Which is so felly Troyans fall upon,  
That he of them hath slain full many one.  
For three thousand in steel armed bright,  
With him he brought ready for to fight.  
Knights eachone full worthy of renown.  
Which with Achilles greeks champyowne,  
Have merciless in their cruelty,  
Slain many Trojan out of the City.  
They were so fervent in their mortal Ire.  
So envious of hate to desire,  
New and new for to shed their blood.  
For Achilles thought it did him good.  
With his sword the Troyans' blood to shed,  
And on the soil to see them lie and bleed.  
Rowthlesse in his melancholy.  
For he to them hath so hot envy,  
Without their death that it may not quench.  
And he his sword full deep hath made drenth,  
Throughout the day in the Trojans blood.  
And batheth it as it were in a flood.  
Which forged was and ywhette so knene.  
That many river soothly on the green,  
Ran here and there of the hurts sore.  
And with his knights always more & more,  
Pursued them afore him as they flee.  
Hard to the walls of Troy the city.  
Where dolefully they made a piteous cry.  
And in this while I find in the story,  
¶ The greeks host holy is arrived,  
Like in Guydo as it is described.  
Of men of arms such a multitude,  
And of knights shortly to conclude,  
That from their ships of new landed be,  
That they of Troy atoned were to see,  
And abashed 'gan to wexen all,  
For suddenly there gineth on them fall,  
On every half passyngly great press.  
And ever in one this hardy Achilles,  
With his sword made their sides red,  
For here and there lay the bodies dead,  
He wounded some at entry of the gate,  
And knightly there with them he 'gan debate.  
And furiously this fell cruel knight,  
The children slew in their father's sight.  
That to behold it was great pity,  
And yet the slaughter though greater had be,  
Numbrelesse of them of the town,  
Perpetually to their confusion,  
Likely for ever to have be overcome,  
¶ If Troilus ne had to rescuse come.  
Yenge, fresh, lusty, and inly desirous,  
With whom come Paris and Deiphobus,  
And many worthy their party to succour,  
So that the greeks though ne might endure,  
Against them to standen at defence.  
For all their pride nor maken resistance.  
Worthy Troilus so well that time him quit.  
For this in sooth what greek that he hit,  
either he maimeth or he made him die.  
Wherefore as death they fled out of his weigh.  
And fierce Achilles with his company,  
For it was night homeward 'gan him high.  
Toward greeks with glory and honour,  
And they receive him like a conqueror.  
Which at that time so happily were met.  
¶ And they of Troy have their gates shut.  
And made them strong throughout all the town,  
¶ And in this time king Agamenowne,  
Yserched hath a place covenable,  
Which to him was thought most agreeable,  
By liklyhod and most convenient,  
For every lord to pytchen there his tent.  
And in a field that was full large of space,  
Most competent as for lodging place,  
In dew scyte set for the Cite,  
Each lord was signed where as he should be.  
¶ And 'gan anon ordain mansions,  
pitched their tents and pavilions,  
And such as there might no Tentoryes have,  
From storm and rain themself for to save,  
They devised other habitacles.  
Tiguryes and small receptacles,  
To shroud them in and all the night also,  
From their ships they hadden much ado.  
Or they might well have their horse to land,  
And to ordain where they shoulden stand.  
And they also busy for to carry,  
Other things that weren necessary,  
And needfully unto a siege long.  
And eke they made tie their ships strong,  
For in the port their anchors have they cast.  
And of assent they busied them full fast,  
For to confirm of one entenciowne,  
To set a siege tofore Troy the town,  
And thereupon a bound assured fast,  
For to abide while their life many last.  
Finally without repentance.  
And prudently they made their ordinance,  
As they best could all the long night,  
They beat their fires which brennen wonder light,  
And at a space divided fro the fires,  
They set up like to these barriers,  
And round about where their lodging was,  
They paled them all the field compass.  
And to achieve the fine of their purpose,  
They slily wrought & kept themself aye close.  
¶ And the king that no treason fall,  
Let make watch without his tents all.  
Of such as had rested them afore.  
And his minstrels he made overmore,  
As saith Guydo all the long night,  
To keep their tides tofore the fires bright.  
merrily to sown their Instruments,  
And them he made rest in their tents,  
That had afore weary be of fight.  
And in the sea were fainted of their might.  
And others eke he made in their armure,  
Await wisely again all adventure.  
That no deceit were found upon no side.  
¶ And thus this king knightly can provide  
In his advice that nothing him escape.  
And all the night I find how he did wake.  
¶ Till on the morrow that the rows red,  
Of Phoebus' char gone for to spread,  
And thus each thing disposed as it ought,  
I will proceed to tell how they wrought.  
seriously without and eke within,  
With your support the third book begin.    
Thus endeth the second book.   

The third book.  

¶ Of the first battle wherein Hector showed himself in valyauncye tofore all other. Capitulo xxii  

WVhen Aurora with her pale light,  
Under the mantle of the mirke night.  
And the curtyne of her hews fade,  
Yshrouded was in the dark shade,  
Abashed ruddy as I can define,  
Only as she that is Femynyne,  
For ashamed durst not tho be sayen,  
Because she had so long a bed lain,  
With fresh Phoebus her own chosen knight.  
For which she hid her soothly out of sight.  
Till his stead that called is Flegonte,  
Enhasted him above our horizon.  
And Apollo with his beams clear,  
Hath recomforted her oppressed cheer.  
This to say after the dawning.  
When Titan was up in East rising.  
Of his heat atempre and right soft,  
Their hemisphere for to glad a loft.  
¶ The same hour the Trojan champiowne,  
Governor of wars of the town,  
Worthy Hector which in the Cite,  
next Priam had of all the sovereyntee,  
The town to guide by knightly excellence,  
For his manhood and his sapience.  
Of Trojan knights lord & eke chevetaine,  
Which hath commanded in a large plain,  
To high and low he excepting none,  
Kings, princes, and lords everichone,  
The same morrow for to meet yfere,  
In their array to muster and appear.  
Like as they were of name and of estate.  
Beside a temple whilom consecrate,  
To the goddess that called is diane.  
Most honoured in this rich fane.  
There to array them in all the haste they can,  
Like the devise of this knightly man.  
¶ And in this plain passing fair to see,  
Was set amid of Troy the Cite.  
Smooth & right fair & full of fresh flowers.  
Where all the worthy noble werryours,  
Of Troy town together assembled be,  
And many other to behold and see,  
The famous knights arm them in that place.  
And some of them 'gan full strait lace,  
Their doublets made of linen cloth.  
A certain fold that about him goth.  
And some also dempte most surest,  
To arm them for battle of areste,  
And did on first after their desires,  
Sabatons greves cussues with voiders,  
A pair breach alder first of mail,  
And some there were eke that ne would fail,  
To have of mail a pair brace.  
And therewithal as the custom was,  
A pair gussettes on a petty coote,  
Garnished with gold up unto the throat.  
A paunce of plate which of the self behind,  
Was shot and close and thereon as I find,  
environ was abordure of small mail,  
And some chose of the new entail,  
For to be surmyd of all their foes,  
And hole breast plate with arere dors.  
Behind shut or else on the side,  
And on his arms rynged not to wide,  
There were voiders fretted in the mail.  
With cords round and of fresh entail,  
Vambras with wings and rerebras thereto,  
And thereon set were besaguys also,  
Upon the head a bassenet of steel,  
That within was locked wonder weal,  
A crafty sight wrought in the viser,  
And some would have of plate a baver,  
That on the breast fastened be aforne,  
The canell piece more easy to be borne.  
Gloves of plate of steel forged bright,  
And some for they would armed be more light,  
In thick jacks covered with satyne.  
& some would have of mail wrought full fine,  
An hawberion of late wrought cassade,  
That with weight he be not overlade.  
Himself to weld like a lively man,  
And some will have of chose geseran,  
On his boublet but an hawberyon.  
And some only but a sure gepon,  
Over his polrynges rechinge to the knee.  
And that the sleeves eke so long be,  
That his vambras may be cured ner.  
A pricking palet of plate the cover.  
And some will have also no vizor,  
To save his face but only an aser,  
And some will have a pair of plates light,  
To weld him well when that he shall fight.  
And some will have a target or a spear,  
And some a pavade his body for to were.  
And some a targe made strong to last,  
And some will have darts for to caste.  
Some a poilax headed of fine steel,  
And picked square for to last weal.  
And some a sword his enemy for to meet,  
And some will have a bow for to sheet.  
Some an arblast to standen out a side,  
¶ And some on foot and some for to ride.  
Array themself their foemen for to sail,  
And many one was busy for to nail,  
His fellows harness for to make it strong,  
And to dress it that it set not wrong.  
With points tasshyes & other manner thing,  
That in such case longeth to arming.  
I have no cunning every thing to tell,  
And unto you were to long to dwell,  
Where I fail ye mote have me excused,  
For in such craft I am but little used.  
And ignorance doth my pennelette,  
In order dew my terms for to set.  
And oft changeth such harness and devise,  
And ye that be therein expert and wise,  
Disdain not that I speak in this place,  
Of their arming for all is in your grace.  
Right at your list correct it everydeal.  
¶ And when Hector saw that all was well,  
And every man armed and arrayed,  
This worthy knight no longer hath delayed,  
Aduysedly his wards for to make,  
And prudently bad they shoulden take,  
Their ground in haste to put all in certain,  
And stand in order endlong on the plain.  
So that no man found were reckless.  
¶ And the gate called Dardanydes,  
Without abode Hector made unshut,  
And after bad that men should do fet,  
To his presence that it were done in haste,  
¶ Cyncynabor his brother borne in baste.  
And unto him first of everyone,  
¶ And to a lord that named was Glaucon,  
The kings son of Lycye and his heir,  
With many banner advanced in the air,  
To these two Hector gave the guard.  
And governance of the first ward.  
In which he hath a thousand knights set,  
With spears round and sword keen whet.  
And on their breast full many rich shield,  
And they were chosen out in all the field,  
Among the best that endure might.  
Again greeks manly for to fight.  
And unto them Hector bade anon,  
In god's name that they shoulden gone.  
Out at the gate soothly as I read.  
¶ And lest they fill in mischief or in need,  
He assigned in the self place,  
With manly cheer to the king of Trace,  
Wisely on him to be awaiting.  
A thousand knights to have at his leading.  
In a wing knightly to abide,  
To wait on him upon every side,  
And with him his son Archylogus,  
Of his age a man right virtuous,  
To fulfil that longeth to a knight,  
For both he had heart and also might.  
¶ And next to them Hector 'gan devise,  
The next ward to the king of Fryse,  
That in his time called was zantipus.  
And unto him strong and desirous,  
He assigned to wait on his banner,  
Three thousand knights armed bright & clear.  
With which ward king Alcanus also,  
Of Hector was commanded for to go,  
And to his bidding he meekly did obey,  
And full knightly taken have their way,  
Out at the gate passingly arrayed.  
Toward greeks with banners all displayed.  
And their pennons unrolled everichone.  
¶ And Hector then assigned hath anon,  
To the noble young lusty fresh and free,  
His brother Troilus so goodly on to see.  
Which in knighthood had all suffisance.  
The third ward to have in governance.  
With three thousand knights young of age,  
flowering in force hardy of courage.  
Such as he was of custom wont to lead.  
To whom Hector of very brotherhood,  
Full goodly spoke and said at his parting.  
Brother quoth he my heart is so loving,  
Towards the of very kindness,  
That though I have in party great gladness,  
Of thy manhood that so far is couth,  
And the knighthood of thy green youth.  
Yet doubtless I in my fantasy,  
Full oft a day stand in iupardye,  
Of pensyfehead and in busy dread,  
When I remember upon thy manhood.  
Lest thy courage be to violent.  
Of thy life to be negligent.  
Thyself to put to far in adventure,  
Of surquidrye so moche to assure.  
In thy force knightly to a start,  
Every peril in thy manful heart.  
Having regard in such mortal strife,  
Of wilfulness neither to death nor life.  
Nor advertence to thy savacyowne  
But as fortune turneth up and down,  
Her wheel movable high and after low.  
In Martes Ire as the wind doth blow.  
Which causeth me full oft sigh and think,  
And to wake when that I should wink.  
Revolving aye thy hasty wilfulness.  
But gentle brother for any hardiness,  
Thus ilk day upon every side,  
I pray the so wisely to provide,  
For hate or ire thy foes pursuing,  
Not to exceed more than is setting.  
But let prudence keep the in a mean,  
And wisdom eke hold again the rain.  
Of thy heart and thy fierce courage,  
That fired have thy green tender age.  
devoid of dread each peril to endure,  
That our enemies of thy misadventure,  
Rejoice not mine own brother dear.  
And mighty Mars I pray of heart entere,  
Thus every day on the Trojans ground,  
From their hands the to keep sound.  
Like as I would that he did do me.  
¶ To whom anon with all humility,  
In manly wise this young lusty knight.  
This worthy Troilus in heart fresh & light,  
Answered again and said with glad cheer,  
Mine own lord and my brother dear,  
And god tofore I fully shall obey,  
And all fulfil what you list to say.  
Now unto me of your gentleness,  
And not decline through none recklesnesse,  
In any point from your commandment.  
But with hole heart in all my best intent,  
I shall take heed and plainly do none other.  
Than ye have said mine own lord & bother.  
So loath me were offend you or grieve.  
And in this wise he lowly took his leave.  
And forth he road so like a manly knight,  
That to behold it was a noble sight,  
Among his men he haveth him so weal.  
Three thousand knights armed all in steel,  
environ road with Troilus into field.  
And as that day he beareth in his shield,  
Passant of gold three Lions richly.  
The champ of azure wrought full craftily.  
And by the gate he issued out anon,  
And with him lad his knights everyone,  
To the greeks holding the next way.  
¶ And Hector hasteth all that ever he may,  
Prudently his wards to ordain.  
And to the noble worthy brethren twain,  
To king Hupon and Andelius.  
Assigned he the story telleth thus,  
The fourth ward to guy and to wysse.  
And in the land that called was Larysse,  
The brethren two there had reigned long.  
And this Hupon was passingly strong,  
And of stature like a chaumpyowne.  
And save Hector in all Troy town,  
Was none to him equal as of might.  
More deliver nor a better knight.  
And on his foen passing despitous.  
Which with his brother Andelyus',  
Four thousand knights had for to lead.  
And seven thousand soothly as I read,  
And to them like as write Guydo,  
Worthy Hector assigned hath also,  
One of his brothern called Dimarchus,  
A noble knight in arms right famous.  
And had in manhood passing excellence,  
And of Hector they taken have licence,  
And road their way among all the press,  
Through the gate of Dardanides.  
¶ The fift ward to have at his leading,  
Was by Hector committed to the king,  
That of Cesoyne lord and prince was.  
And to his brother called polidamas.  
These Cysones were of high stature,  
And might in arms passingly endure.  
Upon whom full many man beheld.  
And their king bore nothing in his shield,  
But a field of Gules as I find.  
Of other sign Guydo maketh no mind.  
And forth he road a full stern pace,  
This noble king and polydamas,  
When they had of Hector leanly take.  
Which ever in one full busy was to make,  
The sixth ward with all his diligence.  
And to the king called Pretemense,  
That was full worthy both in were & peace,  
¶ And to a duke that height Sterepes,  
Which was also full worthy of his hand,  
He took the folk of Poenye land.  
Them to govern in the field that day.  
The which people hath in custom aye,  
Without plate hawberion or mail,  
On swift horse their foemen for to assail.  
With mighty bows & arrows sharp ground.  
Through an harness mortally to wound.  
And with this folk of Hector eke also,  
Deyphobus assigned was to go.  
In the field to guide them and to lead.  
And on their way they fast 'gan them speed.  
But or they pass by Dardanydes.  
Full discreetly Hector for them cheese,  
Panysers clad in mail and plate.  
Them commanding at issuing of the gate,  
And with the archers in to field to gone.  
And many worthy well armed everichone,  
To await on them that they were not lore.  
For this folk that I of spoke tofore,  
Of Poenye hadden none armure.  
But prudent Hector for to make them sure,  
Out of Agrest the mighty region,  
Hath chosen out full worthy of renown,  
The best knights of them everyone.  
¶ And with the kings Esdras and Phylon,  
Assigned them for to taken heed.  
To the footmen when that they have need.  
The which Phylon ordained full richly,  
Road in a cheer all of ivory.  
Of which the wheels wrought full curious,  
Were of a tree called Hebanus,  
The which tree groweth far in Ind.  
Black of hew and also as I find,  
When it is corn this tree will were anon,  
Of his nature hard as any stone.  
When it is grave either round or square.  
And of pure gold roved was this char.  
Fret with pearl and many rich stones.  
That such an other I trow now there none is.  
In all this world if I shall not fain,  
And it was lad of mighty knights twain.  
Men of arms within eke and without,  
Armed in steel riding round about.  
These worthy kings Esdras and Phylon,  
And Hector hath called to him anon.  
One of his brethren what so that be fall,  
To be guide and leader of them all.  
The name of whom was Pythagoras,  
¶ And to the great Troyon Aeneas,  
Of whom tofore made is mention,  
Hector by good deliberation,  
The seventh ward assigned hath to keep.  
And upon steeds lusty for to leap,  
Of such as were used moche to ride,  
Full manly knights to have by his side.  
Which with Ewpheny unto Troy town,  
Come so far from their region.  
To secure them and that for Hector's sake.  
And when they had of him leave take,  
They road full proudly forth with Aeneas.  
Out at the gate a wonder knightly pace,  
The broad field till they have attained.  
¶ And in this while Hector hath ordained,  
Like mine author as I can rehearse,  
The eight ward of the folk of Perce.  
Worthy knights manly and right wise,  
The which were committed to Paryse.  
On him that day tawayte busyly.  
To whom Hector though full benignly,  
Spoke and said thus at his departing.  
Oh brother my in all manner thing,  
When thou art passed by Dardanides,  
This day to far put the not in press.  
Among greeks nor in iupardye.  
Lest thy toens in mischief the espy.  
To whom they have of old and new date,  
In their hearts full fresh and mortal hate.  
The fire of which their breast hath so embraced  
That it were hard out to be araced.  
Wherefore brother look that thou ever be,  
In any wise not to far fro me.  
But keep the nigh that no misadventure,  
Fall upon the so that I may succour,  
This day to the mine own brother dear.  
To whom Paris with full humble cheer,  
Answered and said that in every thing,  
He would obey unto his bidding.  
And road his way anon with his main,  
Into the field out of the Cite.  
The ninth ward in order for to dress,  
Which he thought himself for to lead,  
In which he put soothly as I read,  
Five thousand knights borne of Troy town.  
The worthiest and greatest of renown.  
And passingly famous in knighthood.  
Born by descent on the Troyans' blood.  
¶ And of his brethren taketh with him ten,  
Such as he knew the most manly men.  
That were foreign from stock of regally,  
Out of the line borne in bastardy.  
Whom Hector had in great chyerte,  
For the knighthood he could in them se.  
And when he had by knightly purveyance,  
All his wards set in governance,  
Like Mars himself fast 'gan him speed,  
Without abode for to take his stead,  
Which was in books called Gallathe.  
Of all horse having the sovereignty.  
As far as men ride in any cost,  
Of whom Dares maketh so great a boast,  
Of shape of height and also of fairness,  
Of strength of look and of great swiftness,  
So like an horse performed out and out,  
And with a wire men might him turn about.  
Like as Dares maketh menciowne,  
Of whom Hector rideth through troye town.  
Armed at all that came him wonder well.  
From foot to head full richly everydeal,  
That shone as bright as son on summer's day.  
And to Priam he held the right way,  
And when that he was come to the king,  
He rehearseth in order every thing,  
How he hath done and all his ordinance,  
And lowly said so it be pleasance,  
To your noble royal excellence,  
I have chosen with busy diligence,  
A thousand knights full of suffisance,  
With five hundred to have attendance,  
On your person always where ye be,  
With all footmen that be in the city,  
That shall await on you ever in one.  
Wherefore my lord as fast as we are gone,  
Lowly I pray to your worthiness,  
To sew us by good adviseness.  
Out at the town always eke that ye,  
Together keep your knights and main.  
This I beseech with all my full might,  
Within the bounds where as we shall fight.  
That ye suffer none of them pass,  
But keep ye hole in the self place,  
atwix us and this strong city,  
If we have need that ye may aye see,  
Us to relieve keeping you aside,  
And specially there for to abide,  
Where most is lyckly our party to sustain,  
For ever among there shall men go between,  
Of our exploit the truth to report.  
For which part Mars list the field to sort.  
Of his power this ilke day fatal,  
For ye shall be our castle and our wall,  
And our refuge to save us from all smart,  
And specially one thing ye advert,  
That no deceit fraud nor treasowne,  
Compassed be behind to the town,  
Of our foen through our recklesnesse,  
Whiles that we done holy our business,  
Against them in the field to fight.  
In all wise thereto have a sight.  
That nothing turn unto our damage,  
Through their engine but work as the sage,  
With victory that we may conclude,  
So that greeks with fraud us not delude,  
By no engine of unware violence.  
Hoping always that it is none offence,  
To your highness that I have here said.  
And with that word Pryamus abraid,  
Beningely of cheer and countenance,  
And said Hector my soothfast suffisance,  
My final trust and supportation,  
In thy discreet disposition,  
holy I put as thou list ordain,  
For next god if I shall not feign,  
My faith my hope and all my sickerness,  
And my welfare in very soothfastness,  
Committed be hole into thy hand.  
And governance plainly of my land,  
As thou ordaynest it must needs be,  
And this prayer I make now for thee,  
To the gods above celestial,  
The to preserve in party and in all,  
From each mischief and adversity,  
That thou mayst home again to this Cite,  
Repair in honour with laud and victory,  
So that the praise renown and memory,  
Of thy name be put in remembrance,  
Perpetually thine honour to advance,  
And far now well mine own son dear.  
And Hector though with full humble cheer,  
His leave took and forth he road anon,  
Among his lords & knights everichone,  
As he that was the root of noblesse.  
Of knighthood ground of strength & hardiness  
The very stock and thereto invincible,  
For as much as it was possible.  
That nature might to him grant or kind,  
Touching manhood in books as I find,  
He had in him sovereign excellence,  
And governance meddled with prudence.  
That nought asterte he was so wise & ware,  
And in his shield I find that he bore,  
Upon his breast this Trojan champion,  
The chief of gold of gowlies a lion,  
depaint therein and in his banner beat,  
The self same and so amid the street,  
He took the way to Dardanydes,  
That to behold huge was the press,  
Noise of trumpets and of clarions,  
Banners unrolled and long fresh pennons,  
Of red and white green blue and black,  
And in this wise Hector hath tale,  
The field without with heart and hold intent,  
As Mars himself had tho be present.  
And they that he as Guydo maketh mind,  
Road with in ward that left was behind,  
Of his manhood he would not abide,  
But smote his stead sharply in the side,  
Of fell courage he hath his horse so pained,  
The first ward that he hath atayned.  
By vale and hill tofore in the frounteres.  
Not atoned of the fell cheers,  
Of the greeks nor platly not afeard,  
But like a knight even afore their beard,  
He 'gan press in as their foo mortal.  
¶ And in this while upon Troy wall,  
In sundry places on the high towers,  
As fresh beseen as May is with his flowers,  
The ladies be ascended of the town.  
So fair so young standing environ,  
The queen Heleyne passing fair to seen,  
The kings daughters & goodly Pollycene,  
And many other which of womanhood,  
In heart weren full of busy dread,  
Inly aghast and of fear afraid,  
When they beheld in the field displayed,  
The broad banners that some of tenderness,  
Some of love and some of kindness.  
Pale and dreadful for their lords were.  
And some their faces hidden eke for fear,  
That were not bold to lift up their sight,  
For to heholde the armure clear and bright,  
So glittering aye again the son sheen,  
Their hearts tender might not sustain,  
And in their dread thus I let them dwell.   

ANd of greeks forth I shall you tell.  
If so be ye list abide but a while,  
For now must I my fordulled style,  
Again direct to Agamenon.  
Well may I make an exclamation,  
On ignorance that staunt so in my light.  
Which causeth me with a full cloudy sight,  
In my making to speaken of the were.  
For lack of terms I must needily err,  
Cunningly my wards for set,  
Cruel Allecto is busy me to let,  
The nights daughter blinded by darkness,  
By craft of arms the truth to express,  
In order dew a field to describe.  
And Chauncer now alas is not alive.  
Me to reform or to be my read,  
For lack of whom slower is my speed,  
The noble rhetor that all did excel,  
For in making he drank so of the well,  
Under Pernaso that the muses keep,  
On which hill I never yet might sleep,  
uneath slumber for which alas I plain.  
But for all this there is no more to say,  
Though my weed be not pollymyte,  
As of colours forth I will indite,  
As it cometh even to my thought,  
Plainly to write how the king hath wrought,  
The manly knight the great Agamenon.  
Like as the latin maketh mention.  
¶ What trowen ye that he in his intent,  
Was found slow other negligent,  
On greeks half his wards for to make,  
Nay nay not so for him list to wake,  
That time more soothly than to sleep,  
For like a king that day the field to keep,  
No negligence might his heart fade,  
For in that day I find that he made,  
Syxe and twenty wards by and by,  
So well devised and so prudently,  
That no man might amend his ordinance.  
And of the first he gave governance.  
To the manful noble Patroclus,  
That which him lad mine author telleth thus,  
Myrmydones so mighty and so strong,  
With all the folk that to Achilles long.  
Beside thilk that were of his main,  
Which that he brought out of his country,  
At his coming to the siege of Troy,  
And he road forth with them on his way.  
Into the syelde and made no delay.  
Now fell it so on the same day,  
That Achilles kept him in his tent,  
And for sickness that day out ne went.  
For his lechesse made him to abstain,  
For his wounds fresh were and green.  
That he caught on the day tofore,  
Which for to heal of their aching sore,  
He by counsel kept himself close,  
And from his bed that day not ne rose.  
In hope only the better to endure,  
When that he was restored unto cure,  
But all his men he took to Patroclus,  
Which was in arms passingly famous.  
And by descent come of great kindred.  
And was also of him as I read,  
Hoboundaunt of gold and of richesse.  
And far commended for his gentleness,  
And had a name of high discretion,  
¶ Now were they aye of such affection,  
Of entire love truth and faithfulness,  
So great desire and inward kindness,  
Busy thinking and so great fervence,  
So much friendship with thoughtful advertence,  
So huge brenning so passing amorous,  
Betwixt Achilles and this Patroclus.  
That their hearts were locked in a chain,  
And what soever if I shall not feign,  
The tone hath wrought as brother unto brother,  
In heart it was confirmed of the other.  
For will and goods weren both common,  
And to the death they ever so contune,  
Without change their love so abode.  
¶ And Patroclus forth anon road,  
Into the field with Myrmydones,  
And in his tent abideth Achilles.  
¶ The second ward to king Menon,  
Assigned was by Agamenon.  
¶ And to the worthy king Ydumenee,  
And to a Duke called Menestee,  
Three thousand knights in steel armed clean,  
With all the folk that comen from Athene,  
Assigned were with them for to go.  
¶ The third ward to king Ascalapho.  
And to his son that height Phylomene,  
With the knights that came from Cumane,  
¶ The fourth ward without more letting,  
To Archelaus the noble worthy king,  
To Prothenor and to Securydan,  
Which in his days was so strong a man,  
Assigned was holly to these three,  
And all the knights with them for to be,  
Of Boece the mighty land famous.  
¶ The fifth ward to king Menelaus,  
With all the folk of the region,  
Called Spertence of full high renown,  
And of isles that were adjacent.  
All these with the banner went,  
¶ Of Menelay fresh and courageous,  
The vi ward to king Epystrophus,  
Was assigned and to the king Gelyde,  
With many worthy riding by his side,  
Of the province and the famous isle,  
That called is in Guydo Fordesyle.  
¶ The seventh ward to Thelamonius,  
Called Ajax's the great king famous,  
Was assigned shortly to termine,  
With the folks that from Salomyne,  
He with him brought and many another more.  
And four Earls with him went also,  
¶ Theseus and eke Amphymacus,  
And the third that called was Doxus,  
And the fourth named Polyxarye.  
The viii ward if I shall not tarry,  
By good advise that day assigned was,  
Unto the king that called was Thoas,  
¶ Ajax's Cileus the ix ward though lad,  
And the tenth king Philoctetes had,  
¶ And to the king the xi he did assign,  
That soothly was both of birth and line,  
So renowned and of so great increase,  
The mighty king called Pallamides,  
King Naulus son highest borne of blood,  
And Duke Nestor full famous in knighthod,  
The xii ward lad on greeks side.  
melancholic and surquedous of pride.  
And king Honux son of one Maberte,  
Into the field by himself apart,  
In order had of wards the thirteen,  
Proudly mustering endlong on the green.  
Again Troyans' ready for to fight.  
¶ And eke the king that Vlyxes height,  
Lad with him the fourteen as I read,  
¶ And eke Humelius the king did lead,  
The fifteenth mine author writeth thus.  
¶ And a Duke called Curibulus,  
The sixteenth had in governance that day,  
In which the knights of king Prothesylay,  
Assigned were by great ordinance,  
To enforce them to do vengeance,  
Upon the death of their worthy king.  
By Hector slain at greeks arivinge.  
¶ And king Rodus lad the seventeen,  
And he that was the king of Occymene.  
¶ The eighteenth ward had at his ledinge,  
He zantipus that was of Lyde king.  
Had to keep committed to his guard,  
On greeks side the xix ward.  
¶ And the twenty mine author learneth us,  
Had the king called Amphimacus.  
Like a king to guide them and to wysse.  
And Philoctetes that king was of Larysse,  
The one and twenty lad eke as I read,  
The two & twenty had king Diomedes.  
¶ And Eneus king of Cyparye,  
That was whilom so noble and so worthy,  
The three and twenty had in governail.  
And the Troyans' proudly for t'assail,  
The xxiiii with sword spear and shield,  
¶ King Prothecatus lad into the field.  
¶ And Carpenor of Carpedye the king,  
In were expert and right wise in working,  
The five and twenty rich and well besayne,  
On greeks side brought into the plain,  
¶ The six and twenty soothly and the last,  
As he that could see afore and cast,  
Every thing by good inspection,  
The wise king the great Agamenon,  
Had with him this prudent warrior,  
As he that was ordained Emperor,  
Of greeks host as wisest of eachone.  
¶ And in this wise forth the greeks gone,  
In the field with pomp full royal,  
With thensigns and tokens martial.  
Have take their ground passingly arrayed,  
And on their standards richly tho displayed.  
Broad banners and many fresh penowne,  
Again the wind the made an hideous sown.  
And right dreadful plainly for to hear,  
And there men saw many christs clear,  
And many tuft of gold and silver sheen,  
Meynt with feathers red, white, and green.  
And devices wonder marvelous,  
And such of folks as weren amorous.  
The tokens borne to show openly,  
How they in love brent inwardly.  
Some high emprise that day to fulfil,  
And there were heard the loud noises shryle,  
Far in the field and the dreadful sows,  
Both of trumpets and of claryownes,  
That kalends been of shedding out of blood,  
And with the noise almost for rage wood,  
The foamy bridles and the mouths bleed.  
And furious neyhing of many bastard stead.  
¶ Praunsing of horse upon either side,  
With the ensigns that might be of pride.  
On greeks party and on Troy also,  
In knightly wise for to have ado.  
Every ward standing in his place.  
¶ The first asunder but a little space,  
Began to approach with all their full intent,  
And Hector though full unpatient,  
Formest of all on the side of Troy,  
The ire of whom no man might accoye.  
But like a Lion in his hungry rage,  
issued out furious of visage,  
Toward greeks on his mighty stead,  
That with his spurs made his sides bleed.  
His knightly heart so inly was toforne,  
Of mortal ire and as he road forne,  
Brenning full hot in his melancholy,  
The which thing when greeks 'gan espy,  
¶ Patroclus then withouten more abode,  
Of surquidry afore the wards road.  
Out all toforne in both hosts sight.  
For to encounter plainly if he might,  
With worthy Hector when he him saw a far,  
And as line right as is Dyameterre,  
Road unto him in his hateful tene,  
And with a spear sharp ground and keen,  
Throughout his shield though of envious rage,  
He smote Hector without more damage.  
Except only that the head of steel,  
That was afore whet and forged weal.  
Through plate & mail mightily 'gan to glace  
But to the skin for nothing might it race.  
Albe it came which passing violence,  
Yet to Hector it done hath none offence,  
Out of his saddle once him to flit.  
For though that he sturdily him hit,  
He might not backward bend or bow his chine  
Nor on no party make him to incline.  
¶ But fatally to his confusion,  
This mighty man this Trojan champion,  
In his Ire aye brenning more and more,  
Upon him the hate aye fret so sore,  
Left his spear mine Author writeth thus,  
And with a sword road to Patroclus,  
Auysed fully that he shall be dead,  
And furiously 'gan aymen at his head,  
And rove him down there was no manner let  
Into the breast through his bassenet,  
As saith Guydo with so great a pain,  
That with his stroke he parted him in twain  
His mortal sword whetted was so keen.  
That Patroclus might not sustain,  
Upon his horse but fell down to ground,  
As he that caught his last fatal wound.  
¶ Being present his knights everyone,  
And deliverly upon him anon,  
Worthy Hector from his stead adown,  
Descended is like a wood lion,  
Of hateful ire brenning as the fire,  
Having in heart inly great desire,  
To spoil him of his armure there anon.  
In which there was full many rich stone,  
Both of rubies and of sapphires ind,  
For that days plainly as I find,  
kings lords and knights this no nay,  
To battle went in their best array.  
And soothly Hector when he first 'gan see,  
The multitude of stones and perre,  
On Patroclus so orient and sheyne,  
Upon his arm he hinge his horse rain,  
The mean while while he of hole intent,  
To catch his pray was so diligent.  
Of covetise in their alder sights.  
¶ Till king Menon with three thousand knighꝭ,  
Armed in steel round about him all,  
Is suddenly upon Hector fall,  
The dead corpse of Patroclus to save.  
That his purpose Hector may not have.  
At liberty the rich king to spoil,  
Which caused him in anger for to boil,  
To whom the king that called is Menon,  
Irous and wood said among echon,  
Oh greedy Liowne Oh wolf most ravenous,  
Oh hateful Tiger passing envious,  
Of avarice Oh beast insaturable,  
And of desire soothly unstaunchable.  
¶ Upon this pray thou shalt not now the fede.  
Go else where to sewen for thy meed.  
For trusteth well in conclusion,  
thirty thousand to thy destruction,  
Of one intent plainly will not fail,  
Thine hateful pride at once for to assail.  
And suddenly with spears sharp whet,  
On every half they 'gan him beset.  
Maugre his force his might & his manhood.  
enforcing them to reave him of his stead.  
That soothfastly of great violence,  
He was constrained for all his strong defence,  
As saith Guydo to fall upon his knee.  
But through his might and magnanimity.  
He of manhood hath his horse recured,  
And maugre greeks is so far assured,  
In his strength and in his great might,  
That he recured like a worthy knight,  
His stead again amids of all his foen,  
And right as line he road to king Menon.  
Full desirous on him avenged be.  
In his fury of hasty cruelty.  
For thereupon was set his hole delight,  
That in his mortal cruel appetite,  
In very sooth he had him slain anon,  
Save that the king that called was Glacon,  
Came him to rescue with king Theseus.  
And his son that height Archilogus.  
As I have told Menon to rescue.  
And three thousand knights 'gan him sew,  
Full assented at once in battle,  
For life or death Hector to assail.  
In await unware on him to set.  
But all this while with whom that ever he met,  
With his sword he killed and bore down.  
That finally there gaineth no ransom,  
For any greek that durst with him meet,  
But or he went he felt it full unsweet,  
¶ He made a way about him every where,  
That they him fled as the death for fear.  
For where he road he made a patth full plain  
And as I read to Patroclus again,  
He is repaired to spoil him if he might.  
Amid the field in the greeks sight.  
As he that would his pray not lightly let.  
Till Idume the mighty king of Crete,  
With two thousand clad in plate & mail,  
Worthy knights Hector to assail,  
Whiles that he was so inly desirous,  
As I have told to spoil Patroclus,  
And new again to his confusion,  
Like as I find came king Merion,  
And or Hector might of them take heed,  
They of force reft him of his stead.  
That soothly he there was none other boot,  
Compelled was for to fight on foot.  
And of knighthod his heart he resumeth,  
And with his sword about him he consumeth,  
All that withstand both the horse and man.  
And furiously this Trojan knight began,  
Arms legs and shoulders by the bone,  
To hew of amid his mortal fone.  
That greeks might afore him not sustain,  
And as I read that he slew fifteen,  
Of them that were busy him to take.  
And such a slaught he 'gan among them make,  
That they ne durst abide afore his face.  
¶ And Merion in the self place,  
This mean while took up Patroclus,  
With heavy cheer and face full piteous.  
And on his stead he laid it him before.  
And to his tent anon he hath it borne.  
Always greeks in their cruel mode,  
About Hector furious and wode,  
Felly abode fighting upon foot,  
Of which some felt it full unsote.  
That presumed upon him to press.  
But of manhood they ne woulden cease,  
Him to beset round on every side.  
Having a trust in their great pride,  
Finally at mischief him to take.  
For they dempt he might not escape,  
Their hands shortly by none adventure,  
Nor his stead by lyklyhede recure,  
For of force they casten him to let.  
And all at once 'gan on him to set.  
And specially among them everyone,  
I find in sooth how that there was one,  
A greekish knight of right worthy fame,  
¶ And Carion plainly was his name,  
That him enforced Hector to oppress,  
When he was most in mischief and distress.  
Beset with greeks him enuyroning,  
Till of fortune aye on him awaiting,  
The long day in that fell fight,  
To his rescuse there came a Trojan knight.  
Mid of greeks when he was beset,  
And hent two darts sharp and keen whet,  
And furiously first he shaken the toen,  
And through the heart he smote this Carrion,  
That the dart into the field 'gan glide.  
By plait & mail throughout other side.  
That fatally of that deadly wound,  
This carrion glode anon togrounde.  
Among an hundred knights of his feries.  
Afore conspired with their fell chearis.  
To have slain Hector by some manner way.  
But eft again this young knight of Troy,  
Full deliver raught another spear,  
And cast at one that he saw yfere,  
Advance himself on Hector in the field  
And through his plates plainly & his shield,  
Line right that he ne should asterte,  
Of very might rove him through the heart.  
¶ And after that in all the hast he could,  
Upon Troyans' he 'gan to cry aloud,  
To enhaste them knightly to succour,  
Worthy Hector that stood in adventure,  
Among greeks having no refute,  
Sole he himself of help destitute.  
At which cry on greeks all unware,  
¶ first of all came worthy Cincibare.  
That brother was to Hector borne in baste,  
riding himself tofore in all haste.  
And the knights of whom he tho was guide,  
Wonder proudly pricking by his side.  
Suddenly together one and all,  
In a froshe be on the greeks fall,  
That had Hector round beset about.  
And through manhood of this great rout,  
That be enbushed on them at the back.  
Three hundred knights of which that I spacke,  
For atoned 'gan them to withdraw.  
But thirty first cruelly were slawe.  
And maugre them Hector of manhood,  
Amid the field taken hath his stead,  
And entered is in among the prees,  
As he that day of knighthood peerless.  
While he held his bloody sword in hand,  
All though that there in field again him stand,  
There was no help plainly nor no read,  
But that he broke and karfe a two the thread,  
And the knot of cruel Atropos.  
Only for he was let of his purpose,  
At his leisure to spoylen Patroclus.  
Therefore in Ire wood and furious,  
Full cruelly greeks quit he their meed.  
Which from his face fast 'gan them speed.  
Whose sharp sword bathed in their blood,  
Was died red for it did him good,  
Upon them tho avenged for to be.  
For that day a Lion played he,  
Upon greeks his manhood for to haunt.  
For he their pride so mortally 'gan daunt,  
That they him fled where so that he road,  
Making all hot the streintes of their blood,  
endlong to run and shed upon the green.  
¶ Till the time the duke of great Athene,  
That called was whilom Menesteus,  
With three thousand knights full famous,  
Of whom he was both lord and guide,  
The field hath take upon the left side.  
For a deceit in full secret wise.  
¶ Where Troilus was with the folk of Frise.  
Which hath that day who so list to seek,  
By his knighthood killed many greek.  
Like a Tiger greedy on his pray.  
Troilus bore him all the long day,  
slaying of greeks many worthy knight,  
And while that he was busyest in fight,  
¶ Again his foen with king Antipus,  
And the king that height Alchanus,  
Upon greeks ylyche fresh and new,  
Making their sides all of bloody hew.  
By one assent these three through their manhed,  
And specially upon his bay stead,  
Where so ever that this Troilus road,  
Every greek that his sword abode,  
Suddenly he made for to starve.  
Through their plates he 'gan so deep carve.  
¶ And this continued till duke Meneste,  
Of Troilus saw the great cruelty.  
And the slaughter that he of greeks made,  
Of hasty ire with face pale and fade,  
¶ Hent a spear and threw it in the rest.  
And Troilus smytte even amid the breast,  
So sternly that maugre his renown,  
To the earth anon he bore him down.  
In the mids of his mortal foen,  
That cruelly him beset anon,  
And him to train laid out hook and lase,  
Round about in manner of compass.  
With spear & dart and sword forged bright  
But he himself deffendeth like a knight.  
With great manhood his honour to advance,  
Albe his life was hanged in balance.  
Where he stood and felt full unsweet.  
In point of death among the horse feet,  
With great await of duke Meneste,  
How this Troilus might have take be.  
Of mortal hate casting in his thought,  
At mischief take that he escape nought.  
On every half he was so beset,  
With sword & spear keen ground & whet.  
Alone alas mortally bestead,  
They seized him & forth they have him lad.  
Till Mesers a worthy knight of Troy,  
'Gan to cry as he stood in the way,  
Sore abashed in right furious wise,  
Oh ye noble worthy men of Fryse,  
Manly knights aye proved in the field,  
Most renowned both with spear and shield  
Consider now unto your high fame,  
And advert the glory of your name.  
How this day through your negligence,  
By the power and mighty violence,  
Of the greeks Troilus is tale.  
Sool in the field for ye have him forsake.  
That shall rebound to your alder shame.  
For ye in sooth greatly are to blame,  
If he that is of worthiness the flower,  
Betake of greeks for lack of your succour.  
That but if ye taken hasty wretch,  
Shameful report your honour shall apeche,  
Perpetually and say thereof amiss,  
In your default that Troilus taken is.  
Which named be so worthy and famous,  
And with that word the king Alcamus,  
Of melancholy felt his heart rive.  
And in his ire hent a spear blyve,  
And pricking after enchasteth what he might  
Till he of them plainly had a sight.  
That busy were Troilus for to lead.  
And he full knightly sitting on his stead,  
Ran one through that he fell down dead,  
And eft again pale and nothing red,  
In his rancour no longer would he let,  
But a greek the first that he met,  
Through the body smet he with a spear.  
That men might see thereof the point a fere.  
By breast and plate through the shoulder bone,  
That to the ground he fell down dead anon.  
And though forthwith the worthy Fryses all,  
Came flokmele down and on the greeks fall,  
So mightily that maugre their diffence,  
They set upon with so great violence,  
That Troilus is from all danger free.  
And through their knightly magnanimyte,  
They maden him there to recure his stead.  
And specially helping in this need,  
Was zantipus the strong manly king.  
Which of disdain at his coming,  
On Meneste he 'gan his spear grate.  
And through his shield mail & thick plate,  
So sore he smote that this Meneste,  
Had be dead ne had his armour be.  
Which for Ire 'gan tremble tho and shake,  
That Troilus was from his hands take,  
And escaped to be prisoner.  
despite his beard and maugre his power.  
Wherefore he 'gan of hasty hot envy,  
On his knights furiously to cry,  
That were so mighty renowned and strong,  
To pain them for to venge his wrong,  
Upon Trojans to meet them in the face.  
¶ And they in haste 'gan mightily embrace,  
Their sharp spears ground for to bite,  
And felly foin and together smytte.  
¶ For though began the great mortal were,  
The fire braced out sheen as any star.  
On basenettes and their plates bright,  
That through the field flaumeth the fearful light  
To life nor death they took though no heed.  
And down the plain both in length & breadth  
The wards 'gan proudly to avail.  
And with looks right enviously pale,  
They approach and assemble yfere.  
In hate brenning that no man may steer.  
And 'gan hurt with spear sword and dart,  
And mortally upon every part,  
The slaughter 'gan greatly for to rue,  
And ylyche alway new and new,  
Hector greeks through his worthiness,  
Where he road manly did oppress,  
And merciless slow them and bore down,  
Now here now there without excepciowne,  
So furiously that ruth was to see.  
¶ And then of new duke Meneste,  
Repaired is with full envious heart,  
From his hands that Troilus so a start,  
And for the slaughter eke of his main,  
That where he road busy was to slay.  
The trojan people when he might them meet  
For him t'avenge for nothing would he let.  
Till casually amongs all the press,  
¶ A knight he met that height Myseres.  
Which in despite of this Meneste,  
Had at the rescuse of worthy Troilus be.  
And maugre him put him from his pray,  
And so befell on the self day,  
As they meet again of adventure,  
That Meneste by his cote armure,  
Marked him by arms that he bore.  
And suddenly or that he was ware,  
And or that he might taken any heed,  
Furiously on his mighty stead,  
And with a spear amid the renges all,  
Bore him over and made him for to fall.  
maugre his might to the earth adown.  
¶ And than I find how the king Hupon,  
Descended is the story list not lie,  
Two thousand knights in his company,  
Which on greeks felly 'gan to set.  
And in the beard king Prothenor them met.  
And Archelaus the noble warrior,  
Of Boece the lord and governor.  
With help only of this Prothenor,  
Like to a Tiger or a wood Boar,  
'Gan Troyans assaylen to the death.  
And many one himself that day he slayeth.  
But king Hupon through his chivalry,  
Full fell that time in his melancholy,  
Full many greek gave his deaths wound.  
And thus they 'gan each other to confound.  
Such mortal hate amongs them there was  
Till of fortune a knight polydamas,  
¶ On Troy side son of Antenor,  
With his knights and himself tofore,  
Is on greeks right envious of pride,  
Amid their wards fallen in a side,  
And 'gan them break & knightly to dissever,  
Again whose sword they might not persever,  
He was on them so inly furious.  
¶ And him to help came the king Remus,  
With a wing on that other part,  
Breaking in with many spear and dart,  
Again greeks with three thousand knights,  
That to behold how felly that he fighteth,  
It was in sooth unto them of Troy,  
A very lust and heavenly aioye.  
To see how greeks broke there asondre,  
That the noise loud as any thunder,  
In the field of strokes 'gan arise.  
¶ And while Remus as ye have herd devise  
Upon greeks was so envious,  
Into the field came Menelaus,  
With his worthy knights of Spartense,  
Again Remus to maken resistance.  
And full proudly making no delay,  
This worthy Remus and king Menelaye,  
On horse back with sharp spears whet,  
amid the field been together met.  
And through their manly prowess & renown,  
From horseback each bare other down.  
For none the stroke of other though might shone.  
And in that while of Antenor the son,  
polydamas lusty fresh and light,  
As he that was in his deliver might,  
And desirous to honour to attain,  
Met in the field the nephew of Heleyne,  
The mighty duke called Mereus.  
Flouringe in youth and right virtuous.  
Fresh armed new and lusty of courage,  
And was in sooth but twenty year of age.  
Which of so young was a noble knight.  
Right renowned both of heart and might.  
But of fortune it befell alas,  
The Trojan knight Dan polidamas,  
With a spear through shield mail and plate,  
hit him so that by cruel fate,  
Among greeks that he fallen is down dead  
Of which thing when Menelaye took heed,  
And saw him lie slain on the green,  
In his heart remembering on the queen,  
The queen Heleine to whom he nephew was.  
For dole of which a full deliver pass,  
To Remus road in his cruelty,  
Also far as he might him see.  
And full knightly met him in the beard,  
And smytte at him with his sharp sword,  
Upon the head in his hateful tene,  
That on his stead he might not abstain.  
His wound was so passingly mortal,  
That with the stroke and the perilous fall,  
His knights wend dead that he had be.  
¶ And hent him up and began to i'll,  
To Troy ward with him a great pace.  
¶ But it befell that polidamas,  
The manner of them when that he beheld,  
Made them repair knightly into field,  
Except that some as they in bidding had,  
Worthy Remus home to Troy lad.  
Pale and dead with his wounds wide,  
And though came in on the greeks side,  
¶ Celydys the lusty fresh king.  
Of whom Dares sayeth in his writing,  
And for a sooth in his book list tell,  
How Celydies all other did excel,  
Both in beauty and in semelyheade.  
Of shape of port and of goodlyheade,  
Surmounting all as Dares list descrive.  
As in fairness all though that time alive,  
All his limbs compact were so clean.  
And as I read the young fresh queen,  
Of feminye which was of beauty flower,  
King Celidys loved as paramour.  
That upon him was holy her pleasance.  
He was so printed in her remembrance.  
For chief resort soothly of her heart,  
Was upon him each hour to advert.  
For finally he departed nought,  
Day nor night nor hour from her thought.  
For he was fully all her own knight.  
¶ But of fortune he lusty fresh and light,  
Smote his stead sharply in the side,  
Of surquidry and proudly 'gan to ride,  
Of mortal hate a full furious pace,  
Right as line to polidamas.  
And with a spear made him for to flit,  
From his saddle in which he though did sit,  
He marked him with so great a might.  
And eft again this noble trojan knight,  
polydamas with a despitous face,  
Or Celidys departed fro the place,  
With a sword so smyt him on the head,  
From his stead that he fell down dead,  
Which to greeks was great confusion.  
And all this tune fierser than a Lion,  
Hector greeks knightly 'gan enchase,  
And oft made them for to lose their place.  
Where ever he road of necessity.  
Afore his sword he made them for so i'll,  
Such vengeance he hath on them take.  
That they the field were fain to forsake,  
And to pursue would he never fine,  
Till among the people of Salomine,  
Hector met the worthy king famous,  
That was their lord and height Thesalus,  
That many Trojan that day had yslawe.  
And as Hector towards him 'gan draw,  
King Tenter eke that was of grece also,  
A manly knight and prudent both two,  
Reached a spear in all the haste he can,  
And at unwares he to Hector ran,  
And through his shield plate & mail of steel,  
The spear head forged was so weal,  
So sharp square and so keen yground,  
That he to Hector gave a perilous wound.  
But as Hector tournen 'gan his stead,  
Proud Centre to acquit his meed,  
He full wisely in all the haste he might,  
Was right far severed from his sight.  
Whereof Hector melancoleous,  
And of heart wood and furious,  
For the aching of the wound green,  
In haste t'avenge the constraint of his tene,  
What greek after shortly that he met,  
That was so bold his way to with set,  
Without mercy he was his death anon.  
And as I read he encountered one,  
Which of pride his purpose would divert  
Whom with his sword he rove to the heart,  
Through his herneys of melancholy.  
The which stroke when greeks 'gan espy,  
They atoned of one intention,  
perilously be set him environ,  
And such assault 'gan about him make,  
Though their manhood if they might him take  
And of accord with great multitude,  
Cruelly they 'gan him to include,  
By likelihood in that mortal strife.  
He might not escapen with the life,  
On him they were so fell and envious.  
Till that a king which height Theseus,  
On greeks side only of gentleness,  
Such ruth caught upon his distress,  
To see him stand so nigh upon the wreck,  
Thus unto him of manly petty spoke.   

OH flower of knighthood rote of hardiness,  
well of manhood stoke of worthiness,  
Whylyst ye not to have none advertence,  
Thy life to save of knightly providence.  
But wilfully where most is to dread,  
Thy life jupardest and take list no heed,  
In mortal peril how thou art beset,  
Among so many closed and yshette.  
Alone alas devoid of all succour,  
And to thyself wilt do no favour,  
But as fortune liketh to ordain,  
That every wight ought to complain,  
To behold that such a worthy knight,  
Which through the world cast so clear a light  
In worthiness and will him not withdraw,  
Reklesly this day thus to be slawe,  
So piteously thy person for to lose,  
Withdraw thy hand yet sith thou mayst cheese,  
Thy high prowess compelleth me to prey,  
At such mischief that thou not ne die.  
¶ And when Hector of him 'gan take heed,  
He thanked him of his goodly heed,  
And maugre soothly the power and the might,  
He from the greeks like a worthy knight,  
Eft scaped is mid of all his foen.  
And went his way through them everyone.  
His bloody sword always in his hand,  
And in his way polydamas he fond,  
Full like a man with all his busy pain,  
Defend himself again the kings twain,  
Menelay and Thelamonius.  
Which upon him were full furious.  
And with a spear this greek this Thelamowne,  
polydamas smote to the earth adown.  
Compelling him there was none other boat,  
Again them two to fight eu on his foot.  
Assented fully on him to be wroke.  
And first they have hewn and to broke,  
The mighty charnelle of his bassenet,  
And when his vizor after was of smet,  
And his face naked was and bore,  
They fell on him in that mortal snare,  
And have him take the story can devise,  
And sent him forth in full cruel wise,  
Toward greeks with many worthy knight.  
But when Hector thereof had a sight,  
And saw the mischief of polydamas,  
He cast fully to succour in this case,  
And pricked after wooder than Lion,  
And where he road about him environ,  
With his sword he made a large space,  
Till that he came to the self place,  
amongs greeks furious and wood,  
polydamas the self time stood,  
succourless devoid of remedy,  
Till that he on Hector cast his eye,  
That greeks made hastily withdraw,  
And thirty first of them hath he slawe.  
And severed them maugre all their pride,  
Tofore his sword they durst not abide.  
Against him nor make none obstacle.  
But of knighthood by very high miracle,  
polydamas in mischief first awhaped,  
From grekeshe hand freely is escaped.  
¶ But freshly though the king Epystrophus,  
Menelay and Thelamonyus,  
With all their knights together hole & close,  
Again Troyans to gotten them alose,  
Be of new entered in battle.  
With great strength and passing apparel,  
That mightily Troyans they compel,  
In their way that they dare not dwell.  
notwithstanding their great worthiness.  
Nor of Hector the knightly high prowess.  
That fought so manly that time as I read,  
But cowardly they have slain his stead,  
That he constrained was to fight on foot.  
That many greek felt full unsote.  
For there was none that about him stood,  
With his sword that he ne shed his blood.  
Though he so thick about was be lain.  
He voided them and made a space plain.  
In compass round behind and eke afore,  
And on his feet so well he hath him bore,  
That day. that greek was none certain,  
That hardy was hand on him to lain.  
He was so strong and sturdy as a wall.  
And when his brothern called natural,  
Saw him a foot amid of all his foen,  
On a frushe they fell in everyone,  
And founden him the story maketh mind,  
defend himself as Tiger doth in Ind.  
And him to help through their high renown,  
They fallen first on king Thelamowne.  
For he on Hector was so cruel found.  
They gave to him many bloody wound.  
Till one of them named Dyndaron,  
Hath so far among the renges gone,  
And bore him so only of manhood,  
That he hath won a passing mighty stead.  
¶ And brought to Hector soothly there he stood  
Among greeks all bathed in their blood.  
The which in haste full knightly he be strode,  
And then among like Mars himself he road.  
Full many greek making for to starve.  
And with this sword whetted for to karue,  
He daunted hath their envious pride.  
Till Deyphobus entered in a side,  
Into the field with a knightly cheer,  
And with him brought many good archer,  
Of Boeme which with their arrows keen,  
And with feathers of Peacock fresh and sheen,  
Upon greeks have the field recured.  
In their shot they were so much assured.  
That through mail and thick plate of steel,  
They pierced have their harness every deal.  
¶ And Deiphobus full like a manly man,  
To king Tentran on horse back though ran.  
And furiously 'gan his sword embrace.  
And wounded him even amid the face.  
Through the vizor in his fell tene.  
On horse back that he might not sustain,  
And thus on greeks the Trojans are iron,  
That they again hath the field ywonne.  
They were on them so irons and so wood,  
But Theseus full knightly them withstood,  
With the knights that he with him lad,  
¶ And as I read Hector a brother had,  
The story saith that height Quintilene,  
young fresh and lusty armed bright & sheen,  
Which with the king called Modernus,  
Is proudly fall upon Theseus,  
And these twain together of assent,  
Be fall on him with great advisement,  
That finally to his unhappy chance,  
With their knighthood brought him to outtraunce,  
And cast shortly that he shallbe dead.  
Of whose purpose as Hector 'gan take heed,  
He unto them of very gentery,  
With all his might loud 'gan to cry,  
Beseeching them for nothing that he die.  
And lowly they his bidding did obey.  
And them withdrew for to do vengeance,  
For Hector had fully remembrance,  
Now Theseus the same day tofore,  
Toward him so goodly had him bore,  
When he him saw in mischief and distress,  
And knightly thought quite his gentleness.  
Like as it longeth to every gentleman.  
¶ And Theseus full lowly though began,  
To thank Hector that he was escaped.  
¶ But king Thoas though hath fast yraped,  
Into the field with other knights many,  
And specially with them of Calydony,  
¶ Came Phyloctetes the mighty king also,  
Again the Trojans for to have ado,  
And first Thoas with a spear ran,  
¶ furiously to Cassybellan,  
One of the sons of king Pryamus.  
And gave him though a wound so grievous,  
Without recure that he fell down dead.  
Of which stroke when Hector 'gan take heed  
In his heart 'gan his death complain,  
And in all haste did his busy pain,  
On his brother avenge him if he might,  
And many one he made to a light,  
Through his knighthod from his horse back  
That soothfastly all went to wreck,  
On greeks side what came in his way.  
So worthily he bore him all that day.  
¶ Till duke Nestor is entered in to fight,  
With five thousand in steel armed bright,  
Again the Troyans greeks to succour,  
And with him met of very adventure,  
¶ The king Esdras so mighty and so bold,  
And king Phylon in his char of gold,  
With all the worthy noble chivalry,  
That from Agresta came with jaconye,  
The kings son of the same land,  
Full renowned and worthy of his hand.  
And as they semble and together ran,  
The same time many worthy man,  
Hath lost his life upon either side.  
And of the slaught with large wounds wide  
All the soil of bodies that lay dead,  
Like a river ran with streams red.  
With their cheers grisly pale and fade,  
That in the blood men might go and wade,  
To the ankle the slaughter was so huge.  
¶ And king Phylon succour and refuge,  
Unto Trojans so bore him in that strife,  
That many greek he made lose his life,  
The same day so well his sword was whet.  
But he unwarely was so sore beset,  
With multitude of greeks round about,  
That of his life he plainly stood in doubt.  
For likely was he might not escape,  
And of greeks he should anon be take,  
Ne had the help be of worthy jaconye,  
That to Esdras loud 'gan to cry,  
Alas quod he of ruth and pity,  
¶ Worthy Phylon the king shall taken be.  
Among greeks through your negligence,  
But in all haste ye do your diligence,  
For to rescue this noble worthy king.  
And all at once without more tarrying,  
Maugre all though that maden resistance,  
From greeks sword by mighty violence,  
They have rescued the noble king Phylon.  
And at his large with them he is gone.  
Of his escape wonder glad and light.  
¶ And Hector than with many lusty knight,  
Returned is and Deiphobus also,  
polydamas and many an other more,  
Of Trojan knights that desire new,  
To causen greeks sore for to rue.  
For of assent they fully them purpose,  
In such mischief greeks to enclose,  
That if they might few should escape.  
And thereupon knightly they them shape,  
And them began freshly for to assail,  
That in the field greeks 'gan to fail,  
Of their power and to lose their land.  
That finally through the mighty hand,  
And the force of the Trojan knights,  
The greeks had maugre all their mights  
Be brought that day to confusion.  
¶ But Menelay and king Thelamowne,  
When they them saw feebly and apeyre,  
They of knighthood made them to repair,  
And so like men they have themself deffended,  
Till Aeneas from Troy is descended.  
With Ewfremus the duke the manly man,  
And with their knights of new they began,  
Eft again greeks to oppress.  
And Hector aye through his worthiness,  
Like a Lion with a stern face,  
Ever in one so 'gan them to enchase,  
That compelled of great necessity,  
They were eachone afore his sword to i'll.  
And constrained right of very need.  
Of which thing when Ajax's 'gan take heed,  
He had in heart great compassion,  
To see the slaughter and confusion,  
On greeks side Guydo maketh mind.  
And 'gan to look at his back behind,  
And saw where many ward stood abroad,  
And many banner and penowne that abode,  
Amid the field hole and not for broke,  
That ready were at once to be wroke,  
If need were on them of Troy town,  
In which wards without excepciowne,  
Was hole the flower of greeks chivalry.  
¶ To whom anon Ajax's 'gan him high,  
As he that was in heart sore aggrieved,  
And with his cry he hath them so commened,  
That they in haste them comen to reskuse,  
amongs whom was there no refuse,  
And as fast as they 'gan assemble,  
Of noise of horse the earth 'gan to tremble,  
furiously as they together fling.  
There might men the strokes hearen ring,  
Of spears sharp through the harness borne,  
And through shields wrought of steel & horn  
Into the breast sturdy square and broad.  
¶ And there I find how that Ajax's road,  
¶ Too Aeneas and he to him also,  
So great envy was atwyxe them two,  
That not but death might their ire appease.  
For in heart neither might have ease,  
Till with spears sharp ground and whet,  
On horse back they together met,  
And at coping so sore have they hit,  
That everich other to the earth smytte.  
That to behold was a knightly sight.  
And after they both on foot fight,  
By lyklyhead though in their wood rage,  
Other to fall in full great damage,  
Among the horse because that they stood,  
Upon the soil all over spread with blood.  
¶ But Phyloctetes is to Ajax's come,  
And hath him up among the horse nim,  
That knightly fought as made is memory,  
For soothly else Troyans' with victory,  
Had had the field plainly for to say.  
Till Philoctetes with his wards twain,  
Even in the face manly them withstood.  
And with a spear he first to Hector road.  
And upon him the shaft I find he broke,  
But soothly he upon his horse bake,  
Kept him so well for all that fell stroke,  
Remevinge not but sturdy as an oak,  
Sat in his saddle upright with his chine,  
And with a spear right as any line,  
Into the body deep through the shield,  
Philoctetes he smote into the field,  
That of his life his knights were in doubt.  
¶ But tho came in with so great a rout,  
¶ King Humerus and Vlixes eke,  
And with them brought many worthy greek.  
Ten thousand knights manly men eachone,  
That 'gan trojans for to assail anon.  
And cruelly on every half certain,  
With multitude they have them so belayne,  
That despaired and disconsolate,  
And of long fight a waped and a mate,  
'Gan withdraw fainted in battle,  
And eke their horse soothly 'gan to fail,  
That on their side all went up so down.  
¶ But Paris though with them of Troy town,  
Is entered in in full manly wise,  
And first he met with the king of Fryse.  
That to ulyxes nigh was of ally,  
Whom Paris smote with so great envy,  
That he him slew whereof greeks were,  
Sore abashed and after with a spear,  
¶ Vlyxes' road to avenge him if he might.  
And first when he of Paris had a sight,  
Into the breast he 'gan his spear throw,  
That finally for he bore to low,  
Failing of Paris soothly as I read,  
Under him he slew his mighty stead.  
That maugre him he to ground is gone.  
And he on him would have fall anon,  
¶ But Troilus though met him in the beard,  
And furiously with his sharp sword,  
He smote ulyxes throughout his viser.  
That like a conduit or a small river,  
Down by his face of blood the streams ran.  
But ulyxes though like a manly man,  
Of that stroke atoned not at all,  
But on his stead stiff as any wall,  
With his sword so mightily 'gan race,  
Through the umber into Troilus face.  
That he him gave a large mortal wound,  
Of which struck passingly ioycounde,  
The greeks were supposing in their thought,  
How Troyans' finally were brought,  
Unto utterance and soothly so they had,  
Save that Hector with knights which he lad,  
And with him Paris and Deiphobus,  
And all his brethren in knighthod most famous  
Troilus also for all his last wound,  
That was always so noble knight yfound.  
All at ones be joined into one,  
And upon greeks suddenly be gone.  
¶ And worthy Hector alder first began,  
Greeks to enchase that afore him ran,  
Like as beasts that fled fro the death,  
And ever in one thus he killeth and slayeth,  
Whom he met or durst his stroke abide.  
And on his foen with fresh wounds wide,  
The slaught he made always to renew,  
And thilk day in bloody rosin hew,  
He hath their plates & their harness stained,  
And thought it had blood from heaven reigned.  
The soil redder might not tho a been,  
And aye ylyche as a swarm of been,  
The greeks flockmele fled out of his way.  
And Guydo saith that all that ilk day,  
Hector had formest on the plain,  
In the frounter of the greeks lain.  
That behind the knights of his guard,  
For lack of him were all out of ward.  
Wherefore when he had sought full long,  
And greeks saw of new wexen strong,  
To his knights he is again repaired.  
Which in themself greatly were despaired,  
For his absence. but though when they him see,  
Full inwardly recomforted they be,  
And with glad heart have their lord received.  
And their gladness when he hath perceived,  
¶ Spoke unto them full affectiously.  
And likewise prayed them full benignly,  
To remember knightly in their heart,  
And consider wisely and advert,  
First the wrongs that greeks have them do.  
Of yore ago and overmore also,  
If greeks had that day the victory,  
Farewell for aye the honour and glory,  
Of Trojan blood in conclusion.  
For finally we and eke our town,  
Shall mortally tournen to ruin.  
And our honour that was wont to shine,  
Throughout the world and our worthiness,  
Eclipse shall and tournen to dercknesse.  
But ye this day like as men you quite.  
Wherefore I pray that no man ne atwyte,  
Your high renown of any cowardice,  
To set upon in full manly wise,  
And not to spare for dread of death I pray.  
¶ And they eachone full lowly 'gan obey,  
To his desire withouten longer tale.  
And entering in by a certain vale,  
Upon greeks these worthy knights all,  
Following Hector suddenly be fall,  
Full mortally or that they were ware.  
And Hector though no greek would spare,  
But every where to their confusion,  
He killed and slew about him environ.  
And his knights riding by his side,  
Made their foen maugre all their pride,  
To lose their land & flew out of their sight.  
¶ Till that the king which the Thoas hight,  
On greeks side inward 'gan him dress,  
And of new fulll knightly 'gan oppress,  
Them of Troy this knight this manly man.  
¶ That had afore slain Cassybellan,  
One of the sons of king Pryamus.  
But as he road of fortune it fell thus,  
That all the brethren on a frushe he met,  
Which of assent environ him beset,  
And from his saddle that many greek beheld,  
Among the horse smyt him into field.  
And of they rent first his bassenet,  
And cruelly they had his head of smet.  
For he unarmed all at mischief stood.  
¶ Save that the Duke furious and wood,  
Of Athenes riding though a great pace,  
Rescued him in this mortal case,  
With his knights that about him road.  
And him to help without more abode,  
With a spear sharp whet and keen.  
¶ first of all he fell on Quintiline,  
That busy was Thoas to have slawe.  
And the bretherene made also withdraw,  
When Quintiline of his horse was throw.  
¶ But Paris then drew up his mighty bow,  
And to this Duke let an arrow glide.  
And through his plates it him in the side,  
Upon a rib that made him sore to bleed.  
Of which stroke he ne took no heed,  
Because only that he so fervent was,  
Amid his foen to help thus king Thoas,  
Among the horse that was boar to ground,  
In point of death with many mortal wound.  
Only for he was naked on the head.  
But this Duke fully devoid of dread,  
Of his knighthod in this perilous case,  
Amid his foen hath holp the king Thoas,  
And with his life made him scapen free.  
And Hector aye of cruel enmity,  
Iliche fresh for nothing would leave,  
Upon greeks his manhood for to prove.  
Enforsing him to their destruction.  
¶ And as he road among them up & down,  
¶ King Humerus hath a bow take,  
And to shoot 'gan him ready make.  
And hatefully therein set an arrow,  
And to Hector he marked hath so narrow,  
That he smote him even amid the face.  
But or he might any further pace,  
Hector smyt him with so great a pain,  
That which his sword he rove his head atwayn.  
¶ The death of whom when the greeks know.  
Mine author saith they have an horn yblow  
That unwarely with that dreadful sown,  
Seven thousand knights came at ones adown  
About Hector without more abode.  
But of force through them all he road.  
Maugre their might that him tho withsette.  
And slow all though that his way let.  
And would do stint plainly till he came,  
To his father the worthy king Priam.  
With many worthy full famous of renown,  
That with his knights fast by the town,  
Say all the day with men on horse & foot,  
As he that was of knighthod crop and root,  
And kept him close in full high prudence,  
Till Hector came unto his presence,  
And him besought in this great need,  
With three thousand that he would him speed,  
Upon greeks in their full rage,  
To fall on them at most advantage.   

ANd then in haste this worthy Priamus,  
With his knights fresh & desirous,  
Toward greeks hath the way tale,  
And such a mordre 'gan upon them make,  
That many greeks lay dead on the plain.  
For Pryamus hath them so sore belayne.  
On every half through his great might,  
That they full fast fled out of his sight.  
So sore of new he upon them set.  
¶ And as I find they tohether met,  
¶ Hector and Ajax's of cruel adventure.  
And on their steeds strong and wonder sure,  
The story saith in all the haste they konne,  
Like wood Lions they together run.  
With so great might that were they lief or loath,  
Upon the plain they were unhorsed both.  
¶ And in this while Menelay the king,  
Suddenly as he camen riding,  
He slew of Troy a worthy admiral.  
And thus the slaughter passingly mortal,  
Renewed aye for that Celidonas,  
The nephew slew of the king Thoas.  
And Madam met mine author writeth thus,  
A greekish king called Cedeus.  
Which with his sword such a stroke him set,  
That through the umber out his eye he smette.  
¶ And Sardellus that was of Troy eke,  
The same while slew a worthy greek,  
A lord of name and of high prowess,  
Although Guido his name doth not express.  
¶ And then also came Margaryton,  
On Troy side again Thelamon,  
And both two inly set a fire,  
Of high disdain and of hateful ire.  
As they met on horse back both yfere,  
King Thelamon soothly as I lere,  
Gave unto him a deadly wound cruel.  
¶ But tho came in the Trojan phanuel.  
And Prothenor smote down of his stead,  
And thus the sons plainly as I read,  
Of Pryamus nothing not dismayed,  
The greeks have on every part outrayed.  
And so knightly all the day them borne,  
That many greek fatally hath lost,  
His life in sooth of hate and enmity.  
And king Anglas is fall on Meneste,  
Of Athenes Duke and governor,  
And with a spear of ire and old rancour,  
He ran and smet him tho amid the shield.  
But for all that his saddle yet he held.  
¶ And for that the Duke spear had none,  
He with a sword to Anglas road anon,  
And through that owmber rove of nigh his nase  
That he atoned stood as in a maze,  
When that he saw the conduit of his blood,  
So stream out but for all that he road,  
Out aside fully devoid of fear,  
Unto the time that he staunched were.  
¶ But Deamor his own brother dear,  
When he beheld his mortal bloody cheer.  
¶ Of high disdain he road to Meneste,  
And him unhorseth but up anon start he,  
And or he might fully up arise,  
Another brother in full cruel wise,  
Is fall on him so that of them three,  
Attones weten upon Meneste,  
Fully in purpose he shall lose his life.  
But he so knightly bore him in that strife,  
Against them that wonder was to see.  
And upon him most cruel of them three,  
Was one Thoas eldest of eachone.  
Which him to slay was busy ever in one.  
For all to broke they have his bassenet,  
¶ But when that Tenter saw him so beset,  
A greekish king as made is mention,  
Had in his heart great compassion,  
And thought plainly of manhood him relieve  
And if he might his foemen for to grieve.  
But all for nought was his busy pain,  
For Hector though fallen is on both twain,  
¶ Upon Tenter and on Meneste,  
¶ And had them slain ne had Ajax's be.  
Which unto Hector fast 'gan him high,  
A thousand knights in his company,  
Him to withstand and Meneste to save.  
From his hands if he might him have.  
¶ But Paris tho and the king of Perce,  
With five thousand as I can rehearse,  
Of worthy knights and many trojan more,  
Be unto Hector all at ones ygo.  
In thrifty wise cyding on a row,  
For Paris made a trumpet to be blow,  
At which there came knightly enbattayled,  
Many Trojan full well appareled,  
Which in the field of Hector were conveyed.  
For of one heart they fully have obeyed,  
Unto the bidding of this Trojan knight,  
All fresh and new to begin a fight,  
Upon greeks as far forth as they can.  
Of whom was slain many manly man.  
And aye the slaughter piteously reneweth,  
That many greek sore in heart rueth,  
Their great loss and destruction,  
Wrought upon them by them of Troy town.  
And specially of Hector as I find.  
Which on that day as Dares maketh mind,  
With his hand a thousand knights slow.  
That never were adawed of their sow,  
For greek none dare in his way dwell.  
For which his sword he could them so compel,  
To lose their ground of necessity,  
And like as sheep afore the wolf to i'll.  
¶ And as I read amids this victory,  
Hector hath met under a Tentoree,  
¶ amongs greeks Mereon the king.  
To whom he spoke without more tarrying.  
Oh thou tratoure thy hour approacheth fast,  
For thou art come soothly to thy last,  
Thy fatal day hath his course yronne,  
For trust well or westring of the son,  
I cast platly to quyten the thy meed.  
And with my sword in haste thy blood to shed.  
For thou so bold were on me to day,  
Me to disturben of my rich pray,  
At the spoiling of king Patroclus.  
That for cause thou were presumptuous,  
Me to disturb thou shalt anon be dead.  
And down he start & smote of first his head.  
¶ And him to spoil also 'gan him haste.  
¶ But Meneste came on him as fast,  
When he beheld traverse at his back,  
And with a spear in which was no lack,  
Smote him in with so great violence,  
Without sight or any advertence,  
Of worthy Hector or any taking heed,  
The wound of whom sore 'gan to bleed.  
But out he went and made it fast bind.  
¶ And Meneste stolen away behind,  
Not in purpose soothly if he may,  
To meet Hector of all that ilk day.  
¶ But when that he was ybound sore,  
His wound to staunch that it bleed no more,  
More furious than he was erst tofore,  
repaired is with anger all to tore,  
So aye the ire on his heart fret.  
That he bore down all that ever he met.  
Slayth and killeth he was so merciless,  
All though that put themself in the press,  
Or hardy were with him for to mete.  
For in his book like as write Darete,  
For very sooth and in the story saith,  
If it be so that men may given faith,  
And full credence of possibility,  
As in Guydo clearly ye may see,  
After that he caught his latter wound,  
Finally the greeks to confound,  
So as it is affirmed in certain,  
A thousand knights with his hand were slain,  
Without them though that I spoke of rathe.  
And new always he 'gan his sword to bathe,  
In greeks blood that suddenly they be,  
So overlay through his cruelty,  
That greek was none of high nor low estate,  
That he ne was awhaped and amate,  
Of his knighthod and manly excellence.  
For there was none to maken resistance,  
Nor utterly that durst take on hand,  
Of all that day Hector to withstand.  
¶ And as is made also mention,  
Thilk day king Agamenon,  
As saith Guydo came not into field,  
For causes great his presence he withheld,  
On greeks side that all goeth up so down,  
Hector on them so playeth the wood Liowne.  
That to their tents they fled for socours,  
And they of Troy proudly as victors.  
Sewed after them by traces of their blood,  
And there they won treasure and great good.  
And spoiled them in full great distress,  
Of their armure and of their richesses,  
And fell on them or that they were ware,  
And home to Troy all that good they bore.  
For finally that day with mischance,  
Greeks had be brought unto outraunce,  
Without recure in sooth for evermore,  
On every part they were belayed so sore,  
Through the manhood of Hector & the might,  
With help of many other worthy knight,  
That so felly again the greeks wrought,  
For to such mischief plainly they them brought,  
That ne had be their own piteous sloth,  
Of pride only and of folly ruth,  
They had of them at their volunte,  
That day for ever had the soneraynte.  
And recured through their high renown,  
lordship of them and dominacyowne,  
Which should have last and be continual,  
victoriously and perpetual.  
Have endured save that cruel fate,  
Is ready aye with fortune to debate,  
Again things that gin in wilfulness.  
To make them fine aye in wretchedness.  
Through their envious disposition,  
Of sudden chance and revolution,  
And unware turning of her false wheel,  
That will not bide when a thing is weal.  
Alas frail devoid of sickerness,  
The cause was dimmed so with dercknesse,  
That hath trojans through false opinion,  
Yblinded so in their discretion.  
And specially fordercked so the sight,  
Of worthy Hector the prudent manly knight.  
To see afore what should after sew,  
By good advise the mischief to eschew.  
That followed them at the back behind.  
Alas they were wilfully made blind.  
The same day when they sitten soft,  
By victory on the hill aloft.  
That they ne could of negligence not see,  
The after fall of their felicity.  
So put aback was their advertence.  
For lack of reason and of high prudence.  
For they their hap have voided & their grace,  
That presently were set afore their face.  
For in a man it is not commendable,  
If fortune be to him favourable,  
And blandeshing with a forehead clear,  
To smile on him with a pleasant cheer,  
Only of favour for to help him out,  
When he in mischief is beset about,  
If he refuse his hap of wilfulness,  
Fortune avoiding through unkindness,  
When she ministereth to him of her grace,  
Another time he shall not her embrace.  
When he hath need to her help at all,  
To secure him or he catch a fall.  
But rather than for his ingratitude,  
Frowardly with mows him delude,  
When he best weeneth to stand in sickerness.  
Fortune is aye so full of brotilnesse,  
Removable and ready for to flit.  
¶ Her welfull hour that who list not admit,  
With her favour for to be allied,  
Another time it shall be denied,  
When he were levest find her favourable.  
For in some hour soothly this no fable,  
Unto some man she granteth his desires,  
That will not after in a thousand years.  
Peraunter ones condescend,  
Unto his will nor his lust him send.  
¶ As it hath fall this day unhappily,  
To worthy Hector that so wilfully,  
Wrought of head greeks for to spare,  
Fatally when they were in snare.  
For he of them like a conqueror,  
With victory triumph and honour,  
Might have brought through his high renown  
The palm of conquest into Troy town.  
Which he that day refused foolily.  
¶ For as he road this Hector cruelly,  
amongs greeks slow and bare all down,  
Casually he met Thelamowne,  
I mean Ajax's nigh of his ally,  
That of hate and cruel hot envy,  
To Hector road like as he were wood,  
Albe to him he was full nigh of blood.  
Yet for all that this young lusty knight,  
Did his power and his full might,  
Without feigning to have borne him down.  
Whose father height also Thelamowne,  
That him begat the story telleth us,  
Of Eryon sister to Pryamus.  
And this Ajax's flowering in young age,  
Fresh and deliver and of great courage,  
Set on Hector of knightly high prowess.  
And as they met both in their woodness,  
On their steeds these manly champions,  
everich on other like Tigers or Lions,  
Began to fall and proudly to assail,  
And furiously severe plate and mail.  
First with spears long large and round,  
And afterward with swords keen ygrounde.  
And fighting thus long they do contune,  
Till it befell of case or of fortune,  
Token or sign or some appearance,  
Or by natures kindly influence,  
Which into hearts doth full deep mine,  
Namely of them that borne be of one line.  
Which cause was peraunter of these twane.  
Naturally their rancour to restrain,  
And their ire for to modify,  
Only for they so nigh were of ally,  
Vnwyst of other and thereof unsure,  
Till they were taught only of nature.  
For naturally blood will aye of kind,  
Draw unto blood where he may it find.  
Which made Hector kindly to advert,  
To be moved and stired in his heart,  
Both of knighthood and of gentleness,  
When he of Ajax's saw the worthiness,  
¶ Spoke unto him full beningnely.  
And said Cousin I say the truly,  
If thou list greeks here forsake,  
And come to Troy I dare the undertake,  
To thine allies and to thy kindred,  
Thou shalt be there withouten any dread,  
Full well received in party and in all,  
Of them that be of the blood royal,  
soothly decended and highest of degree.  
That it of right shall suffice unto thee,  
And kindly be to the great pleasance,  
For to repair unto thine alliance,  
Of gentle heart sith nothing is so good,  
As be confedered with his own blood.  
For I conceive by thy worthiness,  
Which nature doth kindly in the impress,  
Of Trojan blood that thou art descended.  
Which of greeks long hath be offended.  
Wherefore I read to leave them utterly,  
And he answered again full humbly,  
That sithen he of birth was a greek,  
And was of youth among them fostered eke,  
From the time of his nativity,  
And taken had the order and degree,  
Of knighthod eke amongs them aforne,  
And over this bound was and sworn,  
To be true as to their nation.  
Making of blood none exception,  
He swore he would conserve his behest.  
And to Hector he made this request,  
That if that he of manful gentleness,  
Would of knighthood and of worthiness,  
Show unto him so great affectiowne,  
To make them that were of Troy town,  
Only withdraw greeks to pursue,  
And for their tents make them to remove,  
And resort again unto the town.  
Of knighthood ruth and compassyowne,  
Without assailing or any more affray,  
Made on the greeks for that ilke day,  
Sith unto them ought enough suffice,  
That of the field in so knightly wise,  
They were of manhood fully possessors,  
And of their foemen finally victors,  
Like as tofore fully is defined.  
To whose request Hector is inclined.  
Alas the while of hasty wilfulness,  
And made anon without adviseness,  
amid the field trumpet for to blow,  
Whereby trojans fully mighten know,  
His will was that they should them withdraw,  
After custom plainly and the law,  
And the usance both of nigh and far.  
amongs them that be expert in were.  
When they were most fervent for to fight,  
Upon greeks for to prove their might.  
And had them chased low to the strand,  
That they were weak of power to withstand  
For they of Troy all of one desire,  
'Gan set on with shot of wild fire,  
To burn their ships & of high mischance,  
Finally to put them at utterance.  
¶ And so they had this the very troth,  
Ne had Hector had upon them routh,  
Making Troyans repair again to town,  
ungraciously to their confusion.  
As the story shall after specify,  
For though he put alas in iupardye,  
Life & death which else might have be sure,  
And which again they shall never recure.    

¶ How the greeks through their suit obtained of king Priam a truce for eight weeks and of their battles after the truce ended. Capitulo xxiii  

THey have matter to complaynen sore,  
For fro that day farewell for evermore,  
Laud victory and fro them of the town,  
To them denied by disposyowne,  
Of mortal fate which contrary,  
In this matter me list no longer tarry.  
For they of Troy be entered their City,  
And shut their gates for more surety,  
For of that day like as made is mind,  
Thus was the end in Guydo as I find,  
They wend have done peraunter for the best.  
¶ And when the son was ygo to rest,  
They took their ease all that ilk night,  
Till on the morrow Titan clear and bright,  
shed his beams on their hemispherye,  
Making the day for to show merry.  
At which time Troyans anon right,  
They that were hole and lusty for to fight,  
'Gan arm them in purpose full that day,  
Their foen to meet platly if they may.  
For that was hole their will & plain intent.  
And eke they had in commandment,  
Tofore of Hector ready them to make.  
Out of their sleep a morrow when they wake  
Of which thing they were not negligent,  
But to Priam the greeks have send,  
There messengers the same day or prime,  
To take truce only for the time,  
Of eight weeks the which Pryamus,  
With Hector's will the story telleth thus,  
Hath granted them and by authority,  
Of all the wise that were in the City.  
In which time while they leisure have,  
The greeks 'gan to bury and to grave,  
The bodies that afore weren slawe,  
Like their rites in their paynim law.  
With all their might and their busy cure,  
For some brent and some by sepulture,  
Enclosed were like their estate in all,  
And thus they held the feast funeral,  
From day to day during aye the peace.  
¶ In which space I find how Achelles,  
Of Patroclus the death hath sore plained.  
As he that was with tears all be rained,  
So inwardly he loved him in heart.  
That for the anguish and the cruel smart,  
He long abode in lamentation,  
And did make by great affection,  
A large tomb for a remembrance,  
Mid the field as though was the usance,  
Among greeks with great reverence.  
Like the honour and the excellence,  
¶ Of royal burying. so this Patroclus,  
Ygrave was and Protheselaus,  
In their tombs korue of marble grey.  
And nigh together in a plain they lay.  
The work about them richly was ywrought  
And to the earth they were together brought.  
solemnly like the observances,  
Of their rites with the circumstances,  
Of greeks used soothly in though days.  
Fro point to point as longeth to their lays.  
Of such as weren of estate royal,  
So holden was the feast funeral,  
Of these two whiles the truce doth last.  
¶ And they of Troy busied them full fast,  
With all their might and their bufy eure,  
The green hurts and wounds for to cure.  
By their advise that were in surgery,  
Full well expert to shapen remedy,  
Their swolle sores to soften of their pain.  
That in the space of these months twain,  
They were restored to health in every thing,  
In which time Priamus the king.  
¶ Such sorrow made for Cassybellan,  
In his heart that no wight ne can,  
Him recomfort of his heaviness.  
For day by day of inward tenderness.  
Full piteously he 'gan to sob and weep.  
¶ And the body he made for to keep,  
Above the earth for a certain space,  
Till he had chosen out some worthy place,  
To his burying and his sepulture,  
And as Guydo us fully doth assure,  
¶ In Venus' temple rich as any shrine,  
He made his men a tomb for to mine,  
In marble grey and metal richly,  
In which he put full solemnly,  
The dead corpse of this Cassybellan.  
Being present full many manly man.  
In the fane of Cytherea.  
The which thing when that Cassandra,  
Within herself considered and beheld,  
And saw up offered his helm & eke his shield,  
His sword also and unto Mars his stead,  
Of inward woe she felt her heart bleed.  
Hearing the noise and the piteous cry,  
The tender weeping and sorrowing utterly,  
Of them of Troy and lamentaciowne,  
Which for their frendis throughout all the town,  
They 'gan to make that were slawe afore.  
With sudden rage her heart was all to tore.  
So inwardly she might her not restrain,  
furiously to cry and to complain,  
And said alas full oft and wellaway.  
¶ Oh woeful wretches that ye be this day,  
Unhappy eke and graceless also,  
Infortunate and inly woe bego.  
How ye may suffer the great harms keen,  
Which ye are likely hereafter to sustain,  
During the siege in this town belocke,  
saying your foen ready to be wroke,  
About you beset on every side.  
To be venged on your great pride.  
I wot right well ye may them not eschew.  
That they ne shall unto the death pursue,  
You everichone besyeged in this place.  
Without mercy rewth or any grace.  
Alas alas why will ye busy be,  
Ye woeful wretches shut in this Cite.  
With the greeks for to seken peace,  
Or the sword of vengeance merciless.  
On high and low do execuciowne,  
And or this noble worthy royal town,  
Euersed be and ybrought to nought.  
Why list ye not consider in your thought,  
How the Modres with their children small,  
In streets shall with face dead and pale,  
Lie murdered there through greeks cruelty,  
And young maidens in captivity,  
Be weep shall in misery and wo.  
Their servitute and this town also.  
So famous rich alas it is pity,  
With greeks fire shall destroyed be.  
In short time soothly this no were.  
Heleyne of us alas is bought to dear.  
Sith for her sake we shall everichone,  
Poor and rich excepting never one,  
An end make woeful and piteous.  
The ire of them shallbe so furious.  
Upon us all there is none other mean,  
Save only death us to go between.  
¶ This was the noise and the pyteons cry,  
Of Cassandra that so dreadfully,  
She 'gan to make about in every street.  
Through the town whom ever she might meet  
Like as she had be out of her mind,  
Till Pryamus fast made her bind,  
And shit up it as the more ruth,  
She was not hard albe she said troth.  
¶ For neither wisdom nor discretion,  
Counsel nor wit prudence nor reason,  
Troth nor read withouten any lie,  
Nor the spirit of true prophecy.  
Availeth not nor all such sapience,  
In place where there is no audience.  
For be a man inly never so wise,  
In counselling or in high devise,  
In working other or in eloquence,  
Each thing to see in his advertence,  
Or it be fall afore in his reason,  
Amid the eye of his discretion.  
Yet for all this it is the more dole,  
Without favour he holden is a fool.  
For unfavoured wisdom 'vaileth nought,  
Neither troth how dear that it be bought.  
As Cassandra for all her wise read,  
despised was and taken of no heed.  
Of them of Troy to their confusion,  
But cruelly ythrowen in prison,  
Where as a while I will let her dwell.  
And of greeks forth I will you tell.   

ANd first of all how Pallamydes,  
'Gan to grudge against them that cheese,  
He being absent king Agamenon,  
To have lordship or domination,  
On them all namely sith that he,  
Was not worthy to such dignity,  
For to govern so great a mighty host.  
Throughout the world come from every cost,  
Of kings, princes, so worthy of renown.  
For he thereof had indignaciowne.  
¶ And said himself was of more poustee,  
Among greeks and greater of degree,  
Concluding that by no manner weigh,  
To his power he ne would obey.  
In peace and were as by subjection.  
Sith he ne was at his election.  
Platly affirming how there were but three,  
When he was chose kings of degree,  
Where as thirty were that time absent,  
For which he swore it was not his intent,  
Nor according with his opinion.  
¶ In any wise that Agamenon,  
Of greeks should have such governance.  
¶ Lo what mischief lieth in variance.  
Among lords when they not accord.  
For to draw fully by one cord.  
Envy is cause of such division,  
And covetise of domination.  
That everich would surmounten his fellow,  
This cursed vyse often hath withdraw,  
Hap and grace in many region.  
For when discord and false dissension,  
Allied been in hearts for to strive,  
Among lords that kingdom may not thrive.  
Till they reform be again to peace.  
Among themself plainly this no lease.  
Of which thing greeks token heed,  
And thought not good ferther to proceed,  
In the matter that Pallamydes,  
Ymeved had amongs all the press.  
And through their wit they set all in quiet,  
And made him his rancour for to let.  
And to accord fully in his heart.  
But now must I my style again divert,  
Unto the were and tell on the manner,  
After the truce how they met yfeare.   

Like as the story maketh mention.  
The worthy king the great Agamenon,  
When the truce were passed and gone,  
In all haste he 'gan ordain anon,  
With all might and waker diligence,  
devoid of sloth and all negligence,  
To set his wards full avysely.  
¶ And to Achylle he full prudently,  
The first ward committeth for to lead,  
And the second unto Diomedes.  
The third also to king Menelay,  
And the fourth on the same day.  
¶ He had Meneste the duke of Athene,  
At his loading in steel armed clean.  
And other wards following by and by,  
Agamenon the king full manfully,  
Ordained hath how they shall proceed,  
As he that was in all his work and deed,  
Full circumspect both in were and peace.  
¶ And worthy Hector was not reckless,  
To set his wards of them of the town.  
In knightly wise of discretion,  
And to Troilus so young fresh and light,  
The first ward with many lusty knight,  
He hath assigned and other wards set,  
So prudently they ne might be no bet.  
And forth in haste him list no longer bide,  
With many worthy riding by his side.  
Out at the gates he went of the town,  
Toward greeks this Trojan champiowne.  
And first when he saw the fierce Achylle,  
He ne could no longer keep him still,  
But smote his horse felly in the side,  
And toward him cruelly 'gan ride.  
The which thing with a dispyteous eye,  
When Achilles soothly 'gan espy,  
Again Hector of manful hardiness,  
With heart envious 'gan his stead dress.  
And in the field together as they met,  
With round spears the points keen whet,  
At the encountering of knightly excellence,  
everich other through great violence,  
By very force bore other unto ground.  
As full oft it happeth and is found,  
When strong doth meet with his peregall.  
There is no more but everich had a fall.  
But Hector first of strength most assured,  
His stead again hath anon recured.  
And left Achylle though of gentleness,  
And in great haste forth he 'gan him dress,  
Among greeks and where so that he road,  
He killed and slew all that him with stood.  
For which his sword he made their wounds wide  
And through the breast & some through the side,  
He pierced hath and waged them for ever,  
And sheltrouns broke & made them to dissever.  
For in his heart him thought it did him good,  
To hath his sword in the greeks blood.  
And this continued till that Achilles,  
Caught his stead again among the press.  
And entered in amongs them of Troy,  
And with his sword he made large weigh.  
Sleeth and bare down whom that ever he met,  
For there was none hardy him to let.  
Till it befell in his melancholy.  
¶ Hector he met riding suddenly,  
And when they saw each other come a far,  
Without abode everich caught a spear,  
And ran together there was no more a rest.  
¶ But Hector first smette him in the breast,  
That his spear plainly this no tale,  
All to shivered into pieces small.  
That Achilles of necessity,  
To ground goth it would none other be.  
And unhorsed at the earth lay.  
And Hector then in all the haste he may,  
Enforced him for to catch his stead.  
But many a greek in this great need,  
Came to rescues of this Achilles.  
And for his love put themself in press.  
Through help of whom his horse he doth attain  
enhasting him with all his might & pain,  
To be avenged of his great injury.  
And suddenly in his wood fury,  
With a sword full sharp ground and whet,  
¶ He smote Hector upon the bassenet,  
That from his saddle he made him to remove  
The which stroke he might not eschew,  
But for all that this noble worthy knight,  
Of very force through his great might,  
Maugre his foen his saddle hath recured.  
As he that was in manhood most assured.  
And suddenly in heart he waxed so wroth,  
That in arage to Achilles he goth,  
And with his sword so smyt him on the head,  
Through the bassenet that the blood all red,  
By his face 'gan to ronnen down,  
Like a river his cheeks environ.  
But he himself deffendeth as a knight,  
And though of new began the cruel fight.  
atween them two to see that it was wonder.  
For every stroke great as dent of thunder,  
Range in the air for none would other spare.  
And this the sooth in their fight they far,  
Like wood Tigers or Boars in their rage,  
Or stern Bulls when they be savage.  
That it seemed in very soothfastness,  
If these two so full of worthiness,  
Contune long in fighting and endure.  
The tone or both of cruel adventure,  
Must have be dead of necessity.  
The which thing had great petye be.  
Because they weren worthy knights both.  
But while that they in fighting fell & wroth,  
Most busy were the greeks though begin,  
With their wards for to enter in.  
And they of Troy the story maketh mind,  
On their party left not behind,  
But in the field enhaste them everichone.  
In knightly wise to meet with their fone,  
That with the press here and also yonder,  
The knights two severed were a sunder.  
¶ And though came in stern diomed.  
With the knights which he there did lead,  
Full lustily and in the selue place,  
With whom hath met proudly in the face,  
Worthy Troilus on his horseback.  
That never had yet in manhood lack.  
And as they country the story doth us lere,  
everich unhorsed knightly hath his fear.  
¶ But first his horse recureth diomed,  
And in all haste 'gan him for to speed,  
Tassail Troilus standing upon foot.  
And when he saw there was none other boat  
And knightly yet as did erst any man.  
Against him to defend though he began.  
But diomed hot as any fire,  
Wonder envious and hateful of desire,  
With his sword of rancour for the nonce,  
The rich Cercle full of Ind stones,  
That was that time on Troilus bassenet,  
Full cruelly hath razed of and smet.  
But Troilus nolde for that him withdraw,  
For him deffending he hath the stead slawe,  
On which sat that time diomed.  
That maugre him he must alight need.  
And when they were on foot both twain,  
They did their might and their cruel pain,  
everich of them other to assail.  
With sword sharp so that plate and mail,  
They 'gan to severe and a sunder race.  
As wood Lions with mortal cheer and face,  
Till the Greeks strong stout and fell,  
As mine author in his book can tell,  
Have through their might caused diomed,  
All suddenly to recure his stead.  
And Trojan knights on the other side,  
Have Troilus brought a stead for to ride.  
¶ And when they were horsed both two,  
Without more they eft together go.  
With strong foins and yfeare ran,  
Each at other as felly as they can.  
Till at the last cruel diomed,  
Like as ye may in mine author read,  
Were it by case hap or adventure,  
In which no man fully may assure,  
Or by fortune with her false visage,  
Had that time of Troylous advantage.  
For he on him was fallen at mischief,  
The which thing to him was no reproof,  
Though he him took among so great aroute  
On every half with greeks set about.  
Sith doubtous ever is the fine of fight.  
Now up, now down, now dark, & after bright,  
For no wight may be aye victorious,  
In peace nor were nor ylyche eurous.  
Let every man sith hap it set in doubt,  
Take his turn as it cometh about.  
Though troilus now was take of Diomedes,  
An other time he shall him quite his meed.  
For as the story telleth in this place,  
This diomed but a little space,  
Troilus lad forth as prisoner,  
That to rescues in steel armed clear,  
Many Trojan came pricking in this need,  
That maugre all the might of diomed.  
They Troilus have from his hands take,  
And though began the slaughter for his sake,  
On every half that wonder is to tell,  
Of the Trojans and the greeks fell.  
¶ Than into field is entered Menelay,  
Which on Trojans all that ilk day,  
Full busy was avenged for to be.  
To them he had so cruel enmity.  
¶ And when Paris saw him in the field,  
Towards him the right way he held.  
And of purpose they their wards set,  
Each on other till they together met.  
And though the skirmish & the slaughter 'gan,  
On other part of many manly man.  
¶ And all this while Hector ne would cease,  
Among greeks cruelly to press.  
And new and new of him as I read,  
Alike fresh the blood of them to shed.  
For of his sword the traces were yseen,  
That the greeks ne myghten not sustain,  
To resist nor stand afore his face.  
But where he road aye they gave him place.  
¶ Till that a knight which Bootes' hight,  
Young of age when he had a sight,  
How Hector slew the greeks mortally,  
On every side having no mercy.  
He pressed in to increase his name.  
Perpetually to purchase him a fame.  
And furiously in heart not afeard,  
He cast platly to meet him in the beard.  
The which thing when Hector 'gan advert,  
So high rancour embraced hath his heart,  
That with his sword of indignaciowne,  
He roof him even to the navel down.  
Fro the crown with so great a pain,  
That in the field he parted lay in twain.  
And Hector though assigned hath his stead,  
To a squire and bad he should it lead,  
To Troy town without more abode.  
And all this while furiously he road,  
Among greeks and ever mercilese,  
He slew all though that put themself in press.  
And shed their blood of heart despiteous.  
The which thing when king Archylogus,  
Riding beside saw and 'gan espy,  
How Bootes' his cousin and ally,  
So cruelly was of Hector slawe,  
Towards him in hast he 'gan him draw.  
Upon his death avenged for to be.  
And road at him with great cruelty,  
Fully in purpose Hector for to quite.  
And suddenly as he 'gan at him smite,  
Hector unwarely it him on the head,  
So mightily that he fell down dead.  
Parted on two by cruel adventure.  
Notwithstanding his mighty strong armure  
Again his stroke it was of no defence,  
For it was given with such violence,  
That it holp him in no manner thing.  
¶ And then anon Prothenor the king,  
Of hateful ire and fool hardiness,  
Of surquedy and of hastiness,  
Of melancholy and indignation,  
Caught in his heart a presumption,  
To assail Hector of in ward foolish pride,  
And goth to him attraverse on the side,  
furiously with a dispiteous heart.  
That his commonge he might not advert,  
Only for he came at his back behind.  
And unwarely in Guydo as I find.  
And Hector smote from his horse to ground,  
In whom there was so much manhood found  
That he anon with a knightly heart,  
Without abode into his saddle start,  
And right fiercely Prothenor purseweth,  
That finally his hand he not escheweth,  
For with his sword he marked him so weal,  
Through the bassenet by his breast of steel,  
That into twain without any fail,  
He rove him down into his paunce of mail.  
And he fell down in full piteous wise.  
Of which stroke the greeks sore agryse.  
¶ And specially the hardy fierce Achille,  
When he beheld liked it full ill.  
¶ For Prothenor was nigh his cousin,  
And descended of the same line,  
For death of whom he hath such heaviness,  
So inward thought and so great distress,  
In all this world he ne wist what to do.  
For him he had so much pain and wo.  
And for the death of him Archilogus,  
To be avenge he was full desirous.  
And in his heart many way he cast,  
And in the wards 'gan to seek fast,  
With many greek on Hector to have fall.  
Conspired fully in sooth among them all,  
Of one intent Hector to assail.  
But all for nought it would not avail,  
He was that day so cruel in his rage,  
They might of him have none advantage.  
And Trojan knights by favour of Fortune,  
Upon greeks so mightily contune,  
Through conveying of Hector and his might,  
That they anon have put them to flight.  
And to their tents maugre who that strive,  
In their pursuit forwounded they them drive.  
That here and there they lay as in a swowe,  
And many a greek merciless they slow.  
The long day till it drew to night.  
And soothly then for very lack of light,  
These trojans knights full worthy of renown  
About Hector repayrens to the town.  
And enter in with honour and with glory,  
That day of greeks having the victory.  
And thus I leave them in their town within,  
And forth of greeks to tell I will begin.   

When Hesperus the fair bright star,  
Against eve hath cast his streams far,  
And in the west rathest 'gan appear,  
When the twilight with a pale cheer,  
In manner mourneth th'absence of the son.  
And night approacheth with his coops dun.  
The same time when Titan took his leave,  
That clerks call Crepusculum at eve,  
Which is not else but the mean light,  
Of Phoebus' absence and the dark night.  
And twilight hat for it is a mean,  
Of day and night departing them between.  
Fully neither but of both ymeynt,  
Or the heaven be clustered and depaint,  
With bright stars in the evening.   

AT which time Agamenon the king,  
For his lords suddenly hath sent,  
To come eachone anon into his tent.  
And when they were assembled all yfeare,  
Tryst and heavy with a ruthful cheer,  
They 'gan the slaught of Hector to complain.  
Affirming plainly they ne may attain,  
Unto victory while he were alive.  
Wherefore they 'gan to conspire blyve,  
The death of him in many sundry weigh.  
eachone concluding while he were in Troy,  
It was not likely greeks for to win.  
For he alone of them that were within,  
Was chief defence and protectiowne.  
And sovereignly upholder of the town.  
Their mighty Castle and their strong wall,  
And unto greeks deadly foe mortal.  
For they ne might his great force endure,  
Nor never aright again their foes be sure.  
He standing hole they said in no degree,  
Nor while he flowereth in felicity.  
Wherefore eachone of one entention,  
They condescend to this conclusion.  
That by some slight of await lying,  
When he were most busy in fighting,  
Among them in mischief or distress,  
That Achilles do his business,  
With all his might unwarely him to assail.  
That him to slay for nothing that he fail.  
¶ And greeks all 'gan their prayer make,  
To Achilles for to undertake.  
Of this Empress finally the suit.  
Through his manhood that it be execute,  
The hasty death of their mortal foe,  
And Achilles without words more,  
Their request assenteth to perform.  
And to their lust 'gan holy him conform.  
From that time let him beware I read,  
To be to hasty this journey for to speed,  
Upon Hector his power for to kith.  
Lest fortune awronge her face writhe,  
To look on him with a froward cheer,  
Him to bring unto his hands near.  
Through sort or hap of Hector foolily,  
To put his life of death in jeopardy.  
Lest unto him it hap even lyche,  
To fall himself in the same dyche,  
That he for Hector compassed hath & shape,  
For it is wonder if that he escape.  
Sith Hector had without any dread,  
As brenning ire and as great hatred,  
To Achilles his death for to purvey,  
If he him found or in any place to say,  
convenient for execution.  
I trow there should gain him no ransom,  
Nor other meed his heart to quiet,  
But only death when so that they meet.  
This the end and fine of my matter,  
As in this book after ye shall hear.  
And thus Greeks made have an end,  
Of their counsel and anon they wend,  
everich of them home to their lodging,  
And took their resten till in the morning.    

¶ How the trojans took king Thoas prisoner and led him captive to Troy. Ca xxiiii.  

When Aurora the silver drops sheen,  
Her tears shed upon the fresh green,  
Complaining aye in weeping & in sorrow,  
Her children's death every summer morrow,  
That is to say when the dew so soot.  
Enbalmed hath the flower and eke the root  
With lusty liquor in April and in may,  
When that the lark messenger of day,  
Of custom aye Aurora doth salve,  
With sundry noties her sorrow to transmewe.  
Or Phoebus rise with joy and gladness,  
Through harmony to leave her heaviness,  
Taking her leave with saint john to borrow,  
The same time Greeks by the morrow,  
With lusty heart early did arise,  
And armed them in all their best wise.  
For they them cast that day for to gone,  
Into the field to meet with their fone.  
¶ And Hector hath the same morrow also,  
I cast him fully with Greeks have ado.  
And issued is knightly out of Troy,  
In heart he hath so great desire and joy,  
The same day with greeks for to fight,  
And with him lad many lusty knight,  
Of such as were of the city borne,  
And forth he road himself all aforne,  
¶ And Aeneas with many a worthy,  
Followed after wonder fast by.  
¶ And Paris then and next him Deiphobus,  
¶ And sith Troilus that was courageous,  
With all the wards made of Troy town,  
In which as Dares maketh menciowne,  
Within his book there were on Troy side,  
Of fight men that went and that did ride,  
And hundred thousand armed for to go,  
Into the field and thirty thousand more.  
Which have them cast that day or at eve,  
Of one intent Greeks for to grieve.  
¶ And so they met strongly on other side,  
And 'gan assemble and together ride,  
Full cruelly and with great hatred.  
And with them though that Paris had to lead,  
He entered in full mighty strong archeres,  
Of Perce land with many arbalesters,  
That with their arrows filled sharp & round,  
And with quarrels square whet and ground,  
Full many greek hath reaved of his life.  
And amids of this mortal strife,  
¶ Agamenon into the field is come.  
Towards whom Hector hath nim,  
The right way & threw him from his stead,  
Among his knights that he there did lead.  
He spared nought for all the great press.  
¶ And therewithal anon came Achilles,  
That in await of Hector though had lain,  
And suddenly with all his might and pain,  
¶ Hector he smote on the head so sore,  
That with the stroke mine author saith no more  
His bassenet was bowed and ycrased.  
¶ Of which stroke Hector not amazed,  
On Achilles should anon yfall,  
Ne had Aeneas with his knights all,  
And worthy Troilus come and go between.  
The which twain with their swords keen,  
'Gan Achilles' felly for to assale.  
To hew his playtes and to pierce his mail.  
And though began the slaught on every side,  
Of men of foot and of them that ride.  
¶ Like a conduit their wounds 'gan to bleed,  
And in this while cruel diomed,  
Were it by hap adventure or case,  
So as he road met with Aeneas,  
And right anon as he had him found,  
He smet at him and gave him such a wound,  
That likely was he should it not recure,  
But if thereto be do the better cure.  
¶ And thereupon full despyteously,  
This Diomedes in his melancholy,  
reproved hath this Trojan knight Enee,  
And said to him all hail for thou art he,  
That whilom gave to Pryamus the king,  
A fell counsel hasty and biting,  
Me to have slain by sudden violence,  
When I was last at Troy in his presence.  
That trust me well and have it well in mind,  
Amid the field if I the eft find,  
Thou shalt thy counsel mortally repent.  
If that fortune hereafter will assent,  
To bring the aright unto my hand,  
At good leisure here in thine own land,  
¶ I am full set thy labour for to quite.  
& here my troth this sword shall carve & bite  
So kenely thy Trojan blood to shed,  
That finally death shall be thy meed,  
The which I bear atween my handꝭ twain  
And with that word he might him not restrain,  
This Diomedes but road all suddenly,  
Upon Enee and though so furiously,  
He smote at him this hardy cruel knight,  
With such a pain and so great a might,  
That from his horse he made him for to fall.  
Maugre the might of his knights all.  
The which struck he liked but full ill.  
¶ And in this while Hector hath Achylle,  
Assailed so that through his bassenet,  
He pierced hath and with his sword him smet  
And hath so narrow brought him to the point,  
Of high mychefe and in such disjoint,  
Constrained him that of necessity,  
He had him take ne had only be,  
Sudden rescues of this chivalrous.  
¶ That called is the son of Tydyus,  
I mean the fell fyrse diomed.  
Which Achilles hath helped in his need.  
For he through force of his arms twain,  
Smote Hector though with so great a pain,  
That he him gave a wound full grievous.  
But he nothing mine author writeth thus,  
Astoned was this knight this manly man,  
But with his sword in all the haste he can,  
Smote Diomedes so furious and wroth,  
That from his horse to the earth he goeth.  
For all his pride and his surquidrye.  
¶ The which anon as Troilus did espy,  
Without abode down of his stead alight,  
With diomed a foot for to fight.  
And each of them in soothfastness than,  
acquit himself like a manly man.  
That neither was in much nor in light,  
In no degree of manhood for to wite.  
¶ And while they fought, Hector & Achilles,  
Together met again among the prees.  
And ran yfeare fiercely in their rage,  
As wood Lions when they be ramage.  
Right so in sooth they faired in their fighting.  
And in that time Menelay the king,  
Full proudly shope him Troyans' for to meet,  
¶ ulyxes eke and also Pollymete,  
And after him came Neptolonyus,  
¶ Pallamides and eke Scelemus.  
¶ Duke Meneste, Nestor and Thoas,  
¶ Currynulus and Phyloctheas.  
¶ And Theseus as it is made mind,  
With his knights proudly came behind.  
¶ And on the party of them of the town,  
Came all the kings without excepciowne,  
That were assembled into their deffence,  
Again Greeks to maken resistance.  
Except the knights which that Hector lad,  
And the wards that he made had,  
The same day as sayeth the Latin book,  
In knightly wise the field when that he took.  
And though began the fell mortal fight,  
In which that day full many worthy knight.  
In fate's hands finally are fall.  
And of fortune among the wards all.  
¶ Agamenon the noble mighty king,  
All suddenly as he came riding,  
¶ Pantysylaus in his way he met,  
Against whom anon his horse he set,  
And he to him full knightly road again.  
And as they met there is no more to say,  
On horse back whiles they weren wroth,  
Of violence they were unhorsed both.  
¶ And Menelay Paris met of new,  
The which two well together knew,  
Full desirous each other for to dear.  
¶ But Menelay caught first a spear,  
And hit Paris with all his busy cure.  
But for sureness of his strong armure,  
And mighty plates his wound was but small.  
Which in effect grieved not at all.  
But with that stroke unto ground he goeth.  
Of which fall Paris waxed wroth,  
Wonder confuse and also red for shame,  
Lest the report in hindering of his name,  
Came to the ears of queen Heleyne,  
How he that day might not attain,  
With Menelay to hold chaumpartye,  
likely to sown unto his villainy.  
The which at heart grieved him full sore.  
And Adrastus the king withouten more,  
So as he road the king Vlyxes fond,  
And knightly both they fought honde to honde,  
And as they fought down to the earth low,  
From his horse ulyxes hath him throw.  
And full proudly in sign of his victory,  
He sent his horse home to his Tentorye.  
¶ And in that time amongs all the press,  
¶ Full suddenly king Pallamydes,  
Is fall on Hupon with his locks door,  
And in his ire wounden him so sore,  
That he fell dead and grovelling to the ground.  
His mortal sword was so keen yground.  
Beside whom Neptolonius,  
Assailed hath king Archylogus,  
The which himself manly 'gan defend,  
But as they fought and many strokes spend,  
In their diffence it would be none other.  
everich of them hath unhorsed other.  
¶ And though came in riding on his stead,  
¶ polidamas and 'gan to taken heed,  
Among the renges a little him beside,  
Where as the king Pollamides doth ride.  
And fiercely though full like a manly man.  
He smote his stead and to him he ran.  
And maugre his might and his worthiness,  
As the story plainly beareth witness.  
Only to venge the death of king Hupowne,  
From his stead he proudly bore him down.  
And in his rancour and his cruel heat,  
Of that despite 'gan him to rehete,  
¶ And though beside the king Scelenus,  
Of deadly hate and heart full irous,  
With king Carras by adventure hath met,  
And furiously from his stead him smet.  
¶ And then also the king Philomene,  
Is on the Duke fall of Athene.  
That maugre both his manhood & his might  
He hath his horse bereft him in this fight,  
And lad with him proudly by his side,  
Where as him list that it should abide.  
¶ And Philoctetes the worthy king also,  
The self time with Remus had ado.  
And every other soothly as I read,  
His fellow made to voiden from his stead.  
¶ And Theseus the king that was so strong,  
Amid the field so as he road among,  
In great press hath met Curyalus.  
The worthy king of knighthod most famous  
And both two in arms wonder strong,  
By themself fought at leisure long,  
Till each other with wounds fresh & green,  
His fellow threw from horseback on the green.  
And afterward I find how they two,  
Upon foot knightly had ado.  
They were in arms so inly desirous.  
And of manhood passingly famous.  
¶ And all this while the sons natural,  
Of Pryamus bare them wonder well,  
Among Greeks up and down riding,  
And prudently together abiding,  
Made a slaught of greeks full piteous.  
Of kings, dukes and lords right famous.  
And as I read how worthy Thelamowne,  
That time met king Sarpedowne,  
And with their spears squared full sharply,  
everich hath wounded other mortally,  
Through shield & plate & haberion of mail.  
That as the story maketh rehearsal,  
How their harness waxed of blood red,  
And how they fell almost both dead.  
At great mischief among the horse feet.  
Of whose bleeding the soil 'gan wax wit,  
Through their harness as it 'gan destylle  
Whiles king Thoas and the fierce Achille,  
As they that were of kin and allied.  
¶ Amid the field Hector have espied,  
Where as he fought beset amid his foen,  
And upon him of one accord they gone,  
And mortally if that it would avail,  
On every half they 'gan him new assail.  
And of hate in heart borne of yore,  
They have beset this Trojan knight so sore.  
That they alas from his head hath smet,  
By violence his rich bassenet,  
And wounded him felly on the head.  
But for all that he ne took none heed,  
This worthy man flower of chivalry,  
But him defending tho so mightily,  
¶ King Thoas smet him in the face so,  
That with a stroke he rafte his nose a two.  
And shorted it by the half deal.  
To which stroke the brother naturele,  
Of manly Hector fast 'gan them high,  
To succour him when they first espy,  
His great mischief and at their in coming,  
They so manly bore them in fighting,  
¶ Again Greeks the Thoas they have take,  
And Thelamon so they made a wake.  
With new assault of sharp wounds keen.  
That he was take and left upon the green.  
And of his men borne home to his tent.  
¶ And king Thoas home to Troy is went,  
Maugre greeks which may him help no more  
For Deiphobus and also Anthenore,  
Have sent him forth to Troy the city.  
¶ And Menelay though began to see,  
¶ So as he road Paris stand aside,  
And shope him shorty of hate & cruel pride.  
If it would fallon on his chance,  
Suddenly to given him mischance.  
¶ But he was ware & kept himself so narrow  
¶ That Menelay he marked with an arrow,  
The head of which with venom was anoint,  
Intoxycate at the square point,  
That the king of that dreadful wound,  
All despaired of his men was found.  
Which in great haste bore him to his tent.  
And he anon for surgeons hath sent,  
Which first the head took out of his wound,  
Albe it was yperced full profound,  
Through his harness deep into the bone.  
But cunningly they did their craft eachone,  
To draw it out with their instruments,  
And subtilely with certain ointments.  
They searched have the wound environ.  
To make it clean from corruption.  
And prudently first they token heed,  
That the venum further not proceed.  
Round in compass cleansed it about,  
And after that bound it sure without,  
And defensyves made on every side.  
And Menelay no longer would abide,  
And bad in haste to bringen forth his stead,  
¶ In purpose full Paris to quite his meed,  
If he him find the self same day,  
Him list no longer put it in delay,  
What ever fall of his green wound.  
And forth he road till he hath him found,  
By adventure unarmed in the field,  
Without sword pole-axe spear or shield,  
Or bow in hand were it of recklysnesse,  
Or to refresh him after weariness.  
¶ And Menelay a spear anon hath take,  
And in his ire felly 'gan it shake,  
Toward Paris by great adviseness.  
And should have slain him as by lyklinesse,  
Ne had Aeneas which all this thing beheld,  
Bore of the stock with his strong shield,  
To defend him in this adventure,  
destitute and naked of armure.  
¶ Paris that time in such peril was,  
Wherefore in haste hath this Aeneas,  
Ordained knights armed bright in steel,  
¶ About Paris for to keep him weal,  
From all mischief and confusion,  
Him to convey unto Troy town,  
Right in despite of king Menelay,  
Which in await so for Paris lay.  
¶ Whom Hector had ytaken suddenly,  
And unto Troy lad him utterly.  
Ne had Greeks come in his defence,  
Against him to maken resistance.  
¶ Of which Hector as they came in his weigh,  
Full many Greek made for to die.  
And the remnant put unto the flight,  
That through his manhood that day & his might,  
Troyans' made the Greeks for to i'll,  
Unto their tents of necessity.  
And them to sew ne would never leave,  
But slay and kill till it drew to eve.  
That Phoebus 'gan fast for to west,  
To draw them home they thought for the best.  
For Titan was at his going down,  
When they 'gan entre into Troy town.  
Their gatis shut they to their lodging wend.  
And of this day thus they made an end.  
Till on the morrow that the rows red,  
Of Phoebus' cart 'gan to over spread.  
Afore his uprist in the Orient.  
At which time king Pryamus hath sent,  
For such as were with him most prive.  
And of his counsel inwardly secre.  
¶ And specially he sent for by name,  
¶ For worthy Hector the greatest was of fame  
¶ For Paris eke and for Deiphobus,  
¶ And for Troilus fresh and desirous.  
¶ For Antenor and for polidamas,  
¶ And for the Trojan called Aeneas.  
For he that day cast him not to gone,  
Into the field to meet with his foen.  
And when they were to his palace come,  
These lords have the right way nim,  
Unto the king within his closet.  
And when the usher had the doors shut,  
And everich had like to his degree,  
His place take and his dew see,  
This worthy king as made is mention,  
'Gan to declare his hearts motion,  
And his meaning afore them specify,  
And said sires in whom I most affy,  
¶ To you is known how the king Thoas here,  
Is in this Cite taken prisonere.  
And is as yet belocked in prisowne,  
Which ever hath be unto Troy town,  
An enemy great unto his power.  
And us offended aye both far and near.  
In many wise albe we little retch,  
As far as he his force might do stretch.  
And now with Grekis came to besiege our town,  
As he that willeth our destruction.  
And thereupon hath do his business,  
Wherefore of doom and of rightwiseness,  
Both of reason and of equity,  
I say plainly as seemeth unto me,  
So that it be to you acceptable,  
And that ye think my counsel commendable,  
Like as he hath cast our death and shape,  
I hold it rightful that he not escape.  
But that by death he receive his guerdon.  
For right requireth and also good reason,  
That death for death is skilful guerdonning.  
Unto my wit and right well sitting.  
¶ Say your advise now plainly in this case,  
¶ And first of all though spoke this Aeneas,  
And said lord so it be none offence,  
To your highness to give me audience,  
Through support here of them that be full wise,  
I shall rehearse plainly my devise,  
What is to work as in this matter.  
Me seemeth first my lyege lord so dear,  
That your noble royal excellence,  
consider should with full high prudence,  
In every work and operation,  
To cast afore in conclusion,  
The final end that may after sew.  
For to a wise man only is not dew,  
To see the gynning and the end nought.  
But both at once peysen in his thought,  
And weigh them so justly in balance,  
That of the fine ensue no repentance.  
Why I say this and platly why I mean,  
Is for that ye ought for to seen,  
How king Thoas one of the principal,  
Among the greeks is and of that blood royal.  
If ye consider descended as by line.  
Wherefore if he have thus foul a fine,  
As to be slain while he is in prison,  
It happen might as in conclusion,  
That ye and yours that thereto assent,  
Here afterward should it sore repent.  
¶ I prove it thus that by adventure,  
Of fortune's rule that no man may assure,  
Some of your lords were another day,  
Of greeks take as it hap may.  
Or of your sons full worthy of renown,  
Or of kings that here be in this town.  
Trusteth me well that such like gentleness,  
As ye to them shown in their distress,  
They will you quite when in case semblable,  
Fortune to them they find favourable.  
The which no man constrain may or bind  
Wherefore my lord haveth this thing in mind.  
¶ For if Thoas of short advisement,  
Shall now be dead through hasty judgement,  
Another day Greeks will us acquit,  
And for rigour make their malice bite,  
On some of yours who ever that it be.  
And neither spare high nor low degree.  
Though he were peraunter of your blood.  
The which thing for all this worlds good,  
It might fall that ye ne would see.  
Wherefore I read to let king Thoas be,  
Honestly kept in your presowne,  
Like his estate still here in this town,  
Lest as I said that another day,  
Some lord of yours as it hap may,  
casually were take of adventure,  
By his exchange ye might best recure,  
Without strife your own man again,  
In this matter I can no more sayne,  
But finally this is my full read.  
¶ To which counsel Hector took good heed,  
And for it was according to reason,  
He it commendeth in his opinion.  
¶ But Priam ever of one entention,  
Stood always fix to this conclusion.  
Plainly affirming if greeks may espy,  
That we this king spare of gentry,  
They will arrecte it cowardice anon,  
That we dare not venge us of our foen,  
For very dread having none hardiness,  
Nor heart neither to do rightwiseness.  
Yet nevertheless after your assent,  
That he shall live I will in mine intent,  
To your desire fully condescend.  
¶ And of this counsel so they made an end,  
Without more. save Aeneas is ygo,  
¶ And Troilus eke and Antenor also,  
Into an hall excelling of beauty,  
The queen Heleyne of purpose for to see.  
With whom was eke Hecuba the queen,  
And other ladies goodly on to seen,  
And many maid that young & lusty was.  
And worthy Troilus with this Aeneas,  
Did their labour and their busy pain,  
For to comfort the fair queen Heleyne,  
As she that stood for the were in dread.  
But for all that of very womanhood,  
Thilk time with all her heart entere,  
As she well could made to them good cheer.  
Having of cunning july suffysannce,  
Both of cheer and of dalliance.  
And Hecuba being in this hall,  
Very example unto women all,  
Of bounty having sovereign excellence,  
In wisdom eke and in eloquence,  
Besought them though wonder womanly,  
And counseled eke full prudently,  
For any haste both of nigh and far,  
Auysely to keep them in the were,  
And not ieoparte their bodies foolily,  
But to advert and cast prudently,  
In diffence knightlyy of the town,  
Them to govern by discresciowne.  
She spoke of faith & could nothing feign,  
And then of her and after of Heleyne,  
They took leave and no longer dwell,  
But went their way & forth I will you tell,  
¶ How the Greeks on the same morrow,  
Among themself complain & maken sorrow,  
Their harms great in murmur and in rage,  
The loss the costs and the great damage,  
That they have there endured foolily.  
Lasting the were and wisten never why.  
The death & slaught of many worthy man,  
That there were dead sith that the were began.  
Hunger and thirst watch and cold also,  
Full great unrest sorrow, thought, and woe,  
And all together for a thing of nought.  
In soothfastness if the ground be sought.  
This was the noise & rumour eke that ran,  
Throughout the host that day from man to man.  
And most among the poor soldiers.  
Which bore the brunt ever of such showers.  
And the mischief of were commonly,  
And though they plain they have no remedy.  
Of sundry things which sit them full unsoft.  
And thus greeks complained have full oft.  
Of many mischief that hath on them fall,  
The which they might have eschewed all,  
If they ne had of folly gone a were.  
Out of Grece not come half so far,  
To their mischief and confusion.  
This was that day their lamentation.  
¶ Which to increase the same next night,  
So darked was without star light,  
So cloudy black and so thick of air,  
Dimmed with skies foul and nothing fair,  
So windy eke with tempest all belayne,  
Almost for drenched with the smoky rain.  
And in the field atoned here and yonder,  
With sudden stroke of the dreadful thunder,  
And with opening of the hideous levene,  
That it seemed in the high heaven,  
The Cataracts hadden be undo.  
For both the clouds and the skies two,  
Suddenly wexen were so black,  
Like as the gods would have taken wreck,  
And had of new assented be in one,  
The land to drench of Deucalyon.  
And all this world without more refuge,  
To overflow with a fresh deluge.  
The wind also so sternly 'gan to blow,  
That their tents standing on a row,  
Forpossid were and ybeten down.  
And furiously to their confusion,  
The flodꝭ reached them from their standing place  
And bore them forth from thence a large space.  
Whereof in mischief and in great distress,  
In great labour and hearty heaviness,  
The greeks bid all the same night.  
What for the tempest and for lack of light,  
Till the flood 'gan again withdraw,  
The wind to appease and the day 'gan daw,  
And the heaven 'gan again to clear,  
Without clouds freshly to appear,  
And Phoebus eke with a fervent heat,  
Had on the soil dried up the wit.  
And the moisture environ on the plain,  
And greeks had their tents set again,  
And were adawed of their nights sorrow,  
Through the apering of the glad morrow.  
They them arrayed nothing for the peace,  
And into field first went Achilles,  
As ye shall here of entencyowne,  
That day to fight which them of Troy town.   

When dried was the lusty large plain,  
with Phebus beams as ye have hard me said  
The trojan knights full worthy of renown,  
Descended be and ycomen down.  
And in the field took their fighting place,  
But Achilles to meet them in the face,  
Tofore went out like as I you told,  
With his lords and his knights bold,  
And first I find without more abode,  
Unto Hupon furiously he road.  
I mean Hupon that was of his stature,  
Like a Giant as books us assure.  
Whom Achilles with his sharp spear,  
Through the body pierced him so fere,  
That he fill dead his wound was so keen.  
And after this the king Octamene,  
As he fiercely on Hector would have gone,  
Without abode Hector hath slain anon,  
And cruelly quit him his fatal meed.  
And suddenly against Diomedes,  
¶ As zantipus the worthy king 'gan draw,  
Full piteously he of him was slawe.  
And right anon the king Epystrophus,  
And eke the king that height Cedius,  
Of one assent proudly in battle,  
Begun Hector mortally t'assail.  
And with a spear first Epystrophus,  
Ran at him with heart despyteous,  
And as Guydo also doth devise.  
Rebuked him in ungodly wise.  
At him so sore in heart he was a moved.  
Whereof Hector furiously aggrieved,  
Hath mortally his wound made so large,  
That him ne geyneth plate shield nor targe.  
For he fell dead among his men eachone.  
To whom Hector bade he should be gone,  
And to the Furies deep down in hell,  
Such proud words amongs them to tell,  
For here quoth he men take of them no heed.  
And thus when he was waged for his meed,  
¶ Anon his brother called Cedyus,  
Such sorrow made for Epystrophus,  
So hearty dole and so woeful cheer,  
That pity was for to see and here.  
So inwardly on his death he thought,  
And with a thousand knights that he brought,  
To be avenged by manhood of them all.  
Despyteously on Hector he is fall.  
Where he him found fighting with his foen,  
That through the force of th●m everycone,  
So sore environ they have him beset,  
That from his stead down they have him smit.  
¶ Whom Cedyus aye in his cruel rage,  
When that he saw to his ovauntage,  
Hector unhorsed and he on his stead,  
His sword he left of inwardly hatred,  
Marking at him with so great a pain,  
With all the force of his arms twain,  
Fully in purpose withouten more delay.  
To slay Hector plainly if he may.  
But or his stroke descend might down,  
Hector of hate and indignaciowne  
With his sword that was full sharp whet,  
From his shoulder hath his arm of smet.  
And after that he revyd him his life.  
Than Aeneas amids all this strife,  
Came riding in right wood and furious.  
And as he met the king Amphymacus,  
He fell on him and slew him in his rage.  
And from the greeks holding their passage.  
¶ There be descended first Menelaus.  
¶ And after him king Thelamonius.  
¶ The great duke also of Athene,  
In whom there was so moche manhood seen.  
Vlixes eke and cruel Diomedes.  
And eke also to help them in their need,  
There came with them the king Machaon,  
And alderlast the great Agamenon.  
With all their wards and fell in suddenly,  
Upon Trojans and they full manfully,  
defend themself again the greeks proud  
And put them of full knightly as they could.  
And each on other soothly as they met,  
With spear and sword enviously they set,  
So mortal hate there was them between,  
And when the son was merydyen,  
In midday angel passing hot and sheen,  
The greeks 'gan felly in their tene,  
So mightily to fall on them of Troy,  
That they them made for to given weigh,  
Of very force and necessity.  
¶ And Achilles so full of cruelty,  
Among the renges as he 'gan him draw,  
The king Phylem enviously hath slawe.  
¶ And amid of greeks the same time Hector,  
Maugre them all slew king Alphenor.  
¶ And eke the king called Dorius,  
On them he was so cruel and Irous.  
That through virtue of his knightly hand,  
Trojans won have again their land,  
Upon greeks and made them for to flee.  
¶ And thilk hour from Troy the Cite,  
Epystrophus full of manliness,  
The field have take through his worthiness.  
And on greeks proudly for the nonce,  
With his knights he falleth all at once,  
And severed them & made them for to twin,  
And 'gan the field fast upon them win.  
¶ Having that time in his company,  
amongs other that he though did guy,  
¶ A certain archer the which as I find,  
Was monstrous and wonderful of kind.  
For from the middle up unto the crown,  
He was a man and the remnant down,  
Bare of an horse likeness and figure.  
And horses heir this monster in nature,  
Had on his skin growing environ.  
Full rough and thick & of his voice the sown,  
Was like the neyhing of an horse I read.  
And though his face both in length and breed,  
Of shape were mannyshe yet in soothfastness,  
His colour was semblable in likeness,  
Unto the fiery hoot brenning gleed.  
Whose cyens eke flawming also read,  
As the blaze is of an oven mouth.  
And for he was in sight so uncouth,  
Where soever he was met in the beard,  
Both man and horse sore were a feared,  
His face was so hateful and so audible.  
And his look so hideous and horrible.  
And aye he had in custom and usance,  
As in books is made remembrance,  
For to go unarmed into field.  
Without sword, spear, axe, or shield.  
For he nothing could of that mister.  
But as I find he was a good archer.  
And bore a bow stiff and wonder strong,  
And for he was also of tiller long,  
His arrows were like to his tiller.  
In a ambushment trussed wonder ner,  
By his side aye ready to his hand.  
Where so he were either on sea and land.  
And as I find how that none armour,  
Again his shot plainly might endure.  
And there was horse stead nor couser,  
That durst abide neither fer nor ner,  
But fled anon with all their full might,  
As fast as they of him had a sight.  
To them he was so passing odious.  
So like a devil and so monstrous.  
And there was found none so hardy a knight  
On horseback that had force or might,  
To hold his horse when they might him see,  
But that anon a back he would do flee.  
And of this archer I find written eke,  
That he that day slew full many greek.  
And wounded them with his arrows keen,  
Throughout the plates forged bright & sheen.  
For there was none afore him that abode,  
But to their tents fast away they road,  
They might not his hideous look endure.  
Till there befell a wonder adverture,  
While they of Troy by help of this archer,  
Sew on the chase to their lodging ner,  
And slew of them in mischief and in dread,  
¶ Beside a Tent met him diomed,  
With this archer of necessity.  
For it stood so that he ne might him flee.  
No manner way nor a back remewe,  
For life nor death he might him not eschew.  
So many Trojan was tho at his back.  
That in his flying he had go to wrack.  
¶ Wherefore anon this worthy diomed,  
With cruel heart fast 'gan him speed,  
And toward him proudly for to dreffe,  
But this archer by great adviseness,  
first with an arrow smytte diomed,  
Through his harness that he made him bleed,  
Of which stroke he waxed so wood & wroth,  
That to this monster so hideous and so loath,  
He went apace and him unarmed fond.  
And with that sword that he held in his hand,  
He gave to him his last fatal wound.  
That he fell dead grovelling unto the ground.  
The death of whom greeks rejoicing,  
And in all haste their hearts resuming,  
Began themself for to recomfort.  
And into field proudly they resort.  
¶ By conveying of Policenare,  
The worthy Duke that so well him bare,  
Upon Trojans that day in the field.  
But when Hector the slaught of him beheld,  
Upon this Duke anon he 'gan to set.  
And on their steeds fiercely as they met,  
¶ Hector him slew of full great hatred,  
And after that on Gallathe his stead,  
So as he road forth among the press,  
Or he was ware he met with Achilles,  
And with their spears long large and round,  
In purpose fully each other to confound,  
They ran yfeare irous and right wroth.  
That with the stroke they were unhorsed both  
¶ But Achilles with a dispyteous heart,  
first as I read into his saddle start,  
And busy was with all his inward pain,  
Gallathe to taken by the rain,  
Thereof for ever Hector to deprive.  
And bad his men to lead it home as blyue.  
So that Hector there was none other boat,  
Full like a man fought standing on his foot.  
amongs the greeks and his foemen all.  
And to his knights loud he 'gan to call,  
For his stead that they shoulden sew,  
And they in haste his horse to rescue.  
Ben at once fallen upon Achylle.  
¶ And maugre him of force again his will,  
They have from him bereft it on the plain,  
And unto Hector restored it again.  
Which in knighthod so much himself assureth  
In their despite his saddle he recureth,  
Which afterward full dear they aboughte.  
For like a lion all that day he wrought.  
amongs them riding here and there,  
And as the death they fled his sword for fere,  
Through whose manhood trojans eft begin,  
Upon greeks the field again to win.  
¶ But it befell amid their great fight,  
That Antenor a certain Trojan knight,  
Among the press is so far gone,  
That of greeks he was take anon.  
And to their tents sent in haste he was,  
Albe his son called polydamas,  
To rescue him did his diligence.  
So manfully that no negligence,  
Was found in him who so list to seek.  
And that full dear a bought many greek,  
The same day through his worthiness.  
But for cause only of derckenesse,  
And for that it 'gan draw toward night.  
They made an end only for lack of light.  
And greeks went home to their lodging,  
And eke Trojans till on the morning,  
¶ That Phebus 'gan his bright beams show.  
And Aurora new 'gan to dew.  
The herbs sote and the green leaves,  
Both on hays and in fresh greues.  
Silver bright with round pearls fine.  
That so clearly again the son shine,  
And show themself so orient and sheen,  
On hill and vale and on every green,  
The rody morrow till the hot beams,  
Of bright Phoebus with his fiery stems,  
Vapoureth up their moisture into air.  
The wether clear agreeable and fair,  
And attempre also of his heat.  
When the Troyans' cast them for to meet,  
With their foemen platly if they may.  
And out they went in their best array,  
With their wards into field by row.  
¶ Against whom greeks were not slow,  
But shope them forth without longer let,  
Till they together manfully have met.  
And with their spears and their sword clear  
They ran together with a dispyteous cheer,  
Till shivered was a sunder many spear.  
On sheldes strong themself for to were,  
And riven was on pieces many targe,  
And with axes round broad and large,  
On basenettes as they tho smite and shred,  
Full many knight mortally 'gan bleed.  
In soothfastness and as I tell can,  
The same day was slain many a man,  
On other part but most of Troy town.  
Albe Guydo maketh no mention.  
Of no person as in special.  
On nouther side but in general,  
Save he concludeth plainly that this fight,  
Lasted fro morrow till that it was night.  
The which Troyans have full dear about.  
For that day fortune holp them nought,  
But turned hole to their confusion,  
And so they be repaired to the town.  
And to their tents greeks fast them speed.  
¶ Till on the morrow they senten diomed,  
With Vlixes to Troy the city,  
For a truce only for months three.  
If king Priam thereto would assent.  
And as they two on this message went,  
A certain knight borne of Troy town,  
That height Dolon of great discretion,  
And also was right famous of richesse,  
Of courtesy and of gentleness,  
His devoir did and his diligence,  
Them to convey unto the presence,  
¶ Of Pryamus in his palace royal.  
And in his sea most chief and principal.  
Where as he sat his lords enuirowne,  
With many knight full worthy of renown.  
They 'gan to him first to specify,  
holy the substance of their ambassadry.  
And of the truce their intent they told.  
If it so were that he assent would.  
And the king benignly them herd,  
And by advise prudently answered,  
That thereupon his honour for to save,  
At good leisure he would a counsel have.  
With his lords and fully him govern,  
In this matter like as they discern.  
¶ And to conclude shortly everichone,  
Assented be except Hector alone,  
Unto the truce and would it not deny.  
But Hector said that of treachery,  
Only of slaughter and false treason,  
Their asking was under occasion,  
first to bury greeks that weren dead,  
And under colour thereof out of dread,  
afterward themself to victual.  
For he well knew that their stuff 'gan fail.  
And enfamyned lest they shoulden die,  
They sought a space themself to purvey.  
By outward signs that he did espy.  
Wherefore quoth he me liketh not to lie,  
By appearance as I dare presume,  
Whiles that we waste thus and consume,  
Our stuff within as it is to dread,  
They will provide of what that they have need,  
For all that is to them advantage,  
Might be to us hindering and damage.  
And whiles that they increasen and amend,  
We shall our store discrease and dispend.  
Yet nevertheless how ever that it be,  
Touching this truce as for months three,  
sithen ye all assent and it accord,  
From your sentence I will not discord.  
In no wise as to be variant.  
And thus the truce confirmed was by grant  
On other side they thought for the best.  
Because they should in quiet and in rest,  
The mean while ease them and relieve.  
And they that felt their wounds sore grieve,  
Might leisure have their sores to recure.  
And in that mean while truce did thus endure  
They fell in treatee and in communing,  
¶ Of Antenor and of Thoas the king.  
That Antenor delivered should be,  
For king Thoas to Troy the city.  
¶ And Thoas should to greeks home again,  
By this enchaunge as ye have herd me sane,  
One for an other as it accorded was.  
¶ And in this while the trojan bishop Calchas,  
Remembered him upon his daughter dear,  
Called Cryseyde with her eyen clear,  
Whom in Troy he had left behind,  
When he went thence as books maken mind:  
For whom he felt passingly great smart,  
So tenderly she was set at his heart.  
And enprented both at eve and morrow,  
And chief cause and ground of all his sorrow  
For she was left behind him in the town.  
Without comfort or consolaciowne.  
As he cast soothly in his absence.  
And specially for his great offence,  
That he hath wrought against them of Troy,  
And as him thought he should never have joy  
Till he his daughter recured hath again.  
¶ Wherefore Calchas the story saith certain,  
In his wits many ways cast,  
How he best might while the truce doth last,  
Recure his daughter by some manner way.  
And as I find upon a certain day,  
In his port wonder humbly,  
With weeping eye went full piteously,  
In his complaining of tears albe rained.  
Whose inward woe soothly was not feigned,  
And on his knees anon he falleth down,  
Tofore the great king Agamenowne,  
beseeching him with all humility,  
Of very mercy and of high pity,  
With other kings sitting in the place,  
To have ruth and for to do him grace,  
And on his woe to have compassion.  
That he may have restitution,  
Of his daughter whom he loved so.  
Praying them all their devoir for to do,  
That through their prudent mediation,  
For Antenor that was in their prison,  
With king Thoas she might eschaunged be.  
If that them list of their benignity.  
To his request goodly to assent.  
And they him grant & forth anon they sent,  
To king Priam for to have Creseyde,  
For Calchas sake and therewith all they laid,  
The charge for her wonder specially,  
On them that went for this ambassadry.  
¶ To Troy town and to king Pryamus,  
To whom Calchas was so odyus,  
So hateful eke throughout all the town,  
That this report was of him up and down,  
That he a traitor was and also false,  
Worthy to be enhonged by the halse.  
For his treason and his doubleness.  
And evermore they said eke express,  
That he deserved hath by right of law,  
Shamefully first for to be draw,  
And afterward the most horrible death,  
That he may have to yelden up the breath,  
Like as a traitor in as dyspyteous wise,  
As any heart can think or devise.  
everich affirming as by judgement,  
That death was none fully equypollent,  
To his desert nor to his falseness,  
As young and old plainly bare witness.  
Concluding eke for his iniquity,  
That they would assent in no degree,  
Unto nothing that might his heart please.  
Nor of Creseyde for to do him ease.  
They cast not to make deliverance.  
liefer they had to given him mischance,  
If they him might have as at good large.  
¶ But finally the effect of all this charge,  
Is so farforth driven to an end,  
That Priamus hath granted she shall wend,  
With king Thoas shortly there no more,  
Unto her father for Dan Anthenore.  
Who ever grudge the king in parliament,  
Hath thereupon given judgement,  
So utterly it may not be repealed,  
For with his word the sentence was assealed  
That she must part with her eyen glade.  
And of the sorrow plainly that she made,  
At his departing hereafter ye shall here,  
When it again cometh to my matter.    

¶ How during a truce of iii months Hoctor walked into the greeks host, and of the talk had betwixt Achilles and him. Capitulo xxv  

THe truce affirmed as ye have herd devise  
On other side of them that were full wise,  
And full assented of them everichone,  
Till three months comen be and gone.  
Like as I read on a certain day,  
When agreeable was the morrow grey,  
Blandyshing and pleasant of delight,  
Hector in heart caught an appetite,  
Like as Guydo liketh for to write,  
The same day he would greeks visit,  
Full well beseen and wonder richly.  
With many worthy in his company.  
Of such as he for the nonce cheese,  
And to the tent first of Achilles,  
I find in sooth that this Trojan knight,  
Upon his stead hath take the weigh right.  
Full like a man as made is mention.  
¶ Now had Achilles great affection,  
In his heart both by day and night,  
Of worthy Hector for to have a sight.  
For never yet by none occasion,  
He might of him have full inspection,  
Nor him behold at good liberty.  
For unarmed he might him never see.  
But wonder knightly aswell in port & cheer.  
They had them both as they met yfere,  
And right manly in their countenance,  
And at the last they fell in dalliance.  
¶ But Achilles first began abraid,  
And unto him even thus he said.  
Hector quoth he full pleasing is to me,  
That I at leisure naked may the see.  
Sith I of the never might have sight,  
But when thou were armed as a knight.  
And now to me it shallbe full grievous,  
Which am to the so inly envious,  
But thou of me there is no more to say,  
Be slain anon with my hands twain.  
For this in sooth were holy my pleasance.  
By cruel death to take on the vengeance.  
For I full oft in were and eke in fight,  
Have felt the virtue and the great might,  
Of thy force. through many wounds keen,  
That upon me full fresh been and green,  
In many place by shedding of my blood.  
Thou were on me so furious and wood,  
Ay compassing to my destruction,  
For many a mail of mine haberiowne,  
Thy sharp sword racyd hath a sunder.  
And cruelly severed here and yonder.  
And mortally as I can signs show,  
My plates strong pierced and yhewe,  
And my harness forged bright of steel,  
Might never yet assured be so weal,  
In thine ire when thou list to smite,  
That thy sword ne would them kern & bite,  
Into my flesh full deep and full profound.  
As showeth yet by many mortal wound,  
On my body large long and wide,  
That yet appear upon every side,  
And day by day full sore ache and smart.  
For which thing me seemeth that my heart,  
Enbolleneth new now when I the see.  
Of high despite avenged for to be.  
So am I fret of old envious rage,  
That it may never in my breast assuage,  
Till the vengeance and the fatal suit,  
Of cruel death be on the execute.  
¶ And of one thing most is my grievance,  
That when I have fully remembrance,  
And in my mind consider up and down,  
How thou hast made final devysyowne,  
¶ Of me alas and of him Patroclus,  
So young, so manly, and so virtuous.  
Whom I loved as it was skill and right,  
Even as myself with all my full might.  
With as whole heart and inly kindness,  
As an tongue may tell or express.  
Now hast thou made a departisyon,  
Of us that were by hole affection,  
Yknyt in one of hearty alliance.  
Without parting or disseverance.  
So entirely our faithful hearts twain,  
Ylaced were and locked in a chain,  
Which might not for none adversity,  
Of life nor death a sunder twynned be.  
Till cruelly thou madest us depart.  
Which through my heart so inwardly doth dart  
That it will never in sooth out of my thought.  
And trusteth well full deer shallbe bought.  
The death of him and be nothing in were,  
peradventure or ended be this year.  
For upon the only for his sake,  
Of cruel death vengeance shallbe take,  
I the ensure without other bond.  
If I may live with mine own hand,  
I shall of death do execution.  
Without abode or long delation.  
For right requireth without any dread,  
Death for death for his final meed.  
For I myself thereon shall be wroke.  
That through the world hereafter shallbe spoke  
How Achilles was venged on his so,  
¶ For Patroclus that he loved so.  
And though that I be to the envious,  
And of thy death inly desirous,  
Ne weet me not nor put on me no blame.  
For well I wot thou art to me the same.  
And hast my death many day desired,  
And thereupon inwardly conspired,  
And thus shortly as atwene us two,  
There is but death without words more.  
When fortune list the time thereto shape.  
I hope fully thou shalt not escape,  
Trust none other I say the utterly.  
¶ To whom Hector not to hastily,  
answered again with sober countenance,  
Auysed well in all his dalliance,  
As he that was in nothing rekles,  
¶ And even thus he spoke to Achilles.  
Sir Achilles without any fail,  
Thou ne oughtest greatly to marvel,  
Though with my power and my full might,  
With heart and will of very dew right,  
Day by day I thy death conspire.  
And ever in one it compass and desire.  
And do my labour early and eke late,  
It to pursue by full cruel hate,  
Thou oughtest not to wonder in no wise.  
But fully know by sentence of the wise,  
In no manner who so taketh heed,  
Of rightwiseness it may not then proceed,  
That other I or any other wight,  
Should do him love that with all his might,  
My death purseweth and destruction.  
And over this to more confusion,  
Hath laid a siege about this city.  
On my kindred and also upon me.  
And thereupon felly doth presume,  
With mortal hate of were to consume,  
Us everichone iwis I can not find,  
In my heart as by law of kind,  
Such one to love of right nor equity.  
Nor have him cheer soothly in no degree.  
For of were may no frendlyhead,  
Nor of debate love aright proceed.  
¶ For soothly love most in special,  
Of faithfulness hath the orygenall.  
In hearts joined by convenience,  
Of one accord whom no difference,  
Of doubleness may in no degree,  
Nother in joy nor in adversity,  
For life nor death asunder nor dissever.  
For where love is it contuneth ever.  
¶ But of hate all is the contrary.  
Of which soothly from hertis when they vary  
proceedeth rancour at eye as men may see,  
Debate, envy, strife and enmity,  
Mortal slaughter both to nigh and far.  
Mother of which in soothfastness is were.  
The fine whereof long or it be do,  
Severeth hearts and friendship cut atwo.  
And causeth love to be laid full low.  
¶ But for all this I will that thou know,  
Thy proud words in heart nor in thought,  
In very sooth agasten me right nought.  
And if I shall furthermore out break,  
Without avaunt the truth for to speak,  
I say the plainly hence or two year,  
If I may live in the wars here,  
And my sword of knighthod forth achieve,  
I hope in sooth so mortally to grieve,  
The Greeks all when I with them may meet  
That they and thou shall feel it full unsweet.  
If ye continue and the wars haunt.  
I shall your pride and surquidry adaunte,  
In such a wise with my hands two,  
That or the were fully be ado,  
Well many greek full sore shall it rue.  
For well I wot of old and not of new,  
That the greeks gathered here in one,  
Of surquidry are found everichone,  
Only for lack of discretion,  
To undertake of presumption,  
So high a thing a siege for to lain.  
And yourself to over charge in vain.  
With emprises withouten any fable,  
That been to you of weight importable.  
And the peys of so great heaviness,  
That finally it will you all oppress,  
And your pride avail and low incline.  
Which burden shall enbowe back and chine,  
And unwarely causen you to fall.  
Or ye have done I say to one and all.  
¶ And over more be full in surety,  
¶ Thou Achilles I speak this unto the.  
That fatal death first shall the assail,  
Tofore thy sword in any thing avail.  
Against me for all thy worthiness.  
¶ And if so be that so great hardiness,  
Courage of will, vigour force or might,  
Meve thy heart by manhood as a knight,  
To take on the as in derring do,  
For to deraign here between us two,  
Thilk quarrel how so that befall,  
For the which that we strive all.  
I will assent plainly to jeopardy,  
Till that the death one of us depart,  
There is no more but that these lords here,  
Kings and princes will accord yfere,  
That it be do fully by one assent.  
And hold stable of heart and of intent,  
So that the field only by us twain,  
As I have said this quarrel may deraign,  
And ended be by this condiciowne  
That if it hap through thy high renowue,  
Me to venquishe or drive to utterance,  
I will you make fully assurance,  
That first my lord Priamus the king,  
Shall unto greeks in all manner thing,  
With crown and sceptre holy him submit,  
And in a point vary neither flit,  
Fully to yield to our subiectiowne,  
All his lordship within Troy town.  
¶ And his lieges in captivity.  
Shall go their way out of this city.  
And leave it quite as to your governance,  
Without strife or any variance,  
And thereupon to make security,  
To devoid all ambyguyte,  
Tofore the gods by oath of sacrament,  
We shall be sworn in full good intent.  
And overmore our faith also to save,  
To assure you in pledge ye shall have,  
The mean while and keep them on your side,  
At your choice hostages to abide.  
From Troy town of the worthiest,  
That ye list cheese and also of the best.  
So that ye shall of nothing be in were,  
Of all that ever that I say you here.  
¶ And Achilles without words more,  
If that you list accord thereunto,  
That I have said thy honour to increase,  
To make this were suddenly to cease,  
That likely is for to last long,  
Between Troyans' and the Greeks strong,  
Thou shalt not only with honour & with fame,  
Throughout the world winnen the a name,  
But therewithal and that is not a light,  
Through thy knighthod to many man profit,  
That fro the death shall escape alive.  
And to his country hole and sound aryve.  
That likely are by cruel adventure,  
For to be dead if the were endure.  
Come of therefore and let not be prolonged,  
But let the day atween us two be joined.  
As I have said in condiciowne,  
If in diffence only of this town,  
I have victory by fortune over thee,  
I axe not else but anon that ye,  
Break up siege and the were let,  
And suffer us to liven in quiet,  
Into Grece home when ye are gone.  
To which thing Achilles there anon,  
Hot in his ire and furious also,  
Brenning full hot for anger and for woe,  
Assented is with a despitous cheer.  
¶ And 'gan anon to Hector dress him near,  
And said he would deliver him utterly,  
From point to point his asking by and by,  
And therein made none excepciowne,  
But of hole heart and entention.  
His request accepted every dell.  
And as it seemed leked it right well.  
And for his part he cast his glove adown,  
In sign and token of confirmaciowne,  
For life or death that he will hold this day,  
Again Hector hap what hap may.  
Unto the which Hector lively start,  
And took it up with as glad an heart,  
As ever yet did any man or knight,  
That quarrel took with his foe to fight.  
There can no man in sooth a right devise,  
How glad he was of this high emprise.  
¶ Of which the noise and the great sown,  
Ran to the ears of king Agamenowne.  
And he anon himself came to the tent,  
With all the lords of his parliament,  
¶ Where Achilles and Hector were yfere,  
To wit their will as in this matter,  
Where they would assenten finally,  
To put the quarrel full in jeopardy,  
Of other part atween these knights tweyn  
As ye have herd fully to dareyne.  
¶ And with one voice Greeks it deny,  
And said they nolde of such a company.  
Of kings, Dukes, and of Lords eke also,  
Both life and death jeoparte atween two.  
Nor to the course of fortune them submit,  
That can all day her face change & flit.  
And some of Troy in conclusion,  
jeopardy ne would their lives nor their town  
In the hands only of a knight,  
To put all in adventure of fight.  
¶ Priam except which soothly in this case,  
Within himself fully assented was,  
Plainly to put and set in jeopardy,  
holy the honour of his regally.  
Supposing aye as made is memory,  
That Hector should have had the victory,  
Of this emprise if he took it on hand.  
¶ But for Priam might not tho withstand,  
Again so many of one entention,  
That were contrary to his opinion,  
Both of Greeks and on Troy side,  
He held his peace and let it over slide,  
And so the Greeks parted be eachone.  
¶ And Hector is from Achilles gone,  
Home to Troy where I him leave a while,  
Whiles that I dyrecten shall my style,  
To tell of Troilus the lamentable woe,  
Which that he made to part his lady fro.   

ALas fortune gery and unstable,  
And ready aye for to be changeable,  
When folk most trust in thy stormy face,  
Like their desire the fully to embrace,  
Then is thy joy away to turn and writhe,  
Wpon wretches thy power for to kith.  
Record of Troilus that from the wheel so low,  
By false envy thou hast overthrow.  
Out of the joy which that he was in,  
From his lady to make him for to twin.  
When he best wend for to have be sured,  
And of the woe that he hath endured,  
I must needily help him to complain.  
Which that in heart felt so great pain,  
So inward woe and so great distress,  
More than I have cunning to express,  
When that he knew the parting of Creseyd  
Almost for woe and for pain he died.  
And fully wist that she depart shall,  
By sentence and by judgement final,  
Of his father given in parliament,  
For which with woe and torment all to rent,  
He was in point to have fallen in rage,  
That no man might appease nor assuage,  
The hid pains which in his breast 'gan dare.  
For like a man in fury he 'gan far,  
And such sorrow day and night to make,  
In complaining only for her sake.  
For when he saw that she should away,  
He liefer had plainly for to die,  
Than to live behind in her absence.  
For him thought without her presence  
He was but dead there is no more to say.  
And into tears he 'gan to berayne,  
With which his eyen 'gan for to bollen,  
And in his breast the sighs though up swollen,  
And the sobbing of his sorrows deep,  
That he ne can not do but roar and weep,  
So sore love his heart 'gan constrain.  
And she ne felt not a little pain,  
But wept also and piteously 'gan cry,  
desiring aye that she might do die,  
Rather than part fro him out of Troy.  
Her own knight her lust her lives joy.  
That by her cheeks the tears down distil,  
And fro her eyen the tears round drops tryl  
That all fordewed have her black weed,  
And eke untrussed her heir abroad 'gan spread  
Like gold wire forrent and all to torn,  
Yplucked of and not with shears shorn.  
And over this her fresh rosin hew,  
Whilom ymeynt with white lilies new,  
With woeful weeping piteously distained,  
And like the herbs in April all bereyned,  
Or flowers fresh with the dews sweet,  
Right so her cheeks moist were and wit.  
With crystal water up ascending high,  
Out of her breast into her heavenly eye,  
And aye among her lamentaciowne,  
Full oft sith she fell in swoon adown,  
Deadly pale fordimmed in her sight,  
And oft said alas mine own knight,  
Mine own Troilus alas why shall we part  
Rather let death with his spear dart,  
Through my heart and the veins carve,  
And with his rage do me for to starve,  
Rather alas than fro my knight to twin.  
¶ And of this woe Oh death that I am in,  
Why nilt thou come & help to make an end,  
For how should I out of Troy wend,  
He abide and I to Greeks gone,  
There to dwell among my cruel fone.  
Alas alas I woeful creature,  
How should I there in the were endure,  
I wretched woman but myself alone,  
Among the men of arms everichone.  
Thus 'gan she cry all the long day,  
This was her plaint with full great affray.  
Her piteous noise till it drew to night,  
That unto her her own true knight,  
Full tryst and heavy came against eve,  
If he might ought comfort or relieve.  
¶ But he in sooth hath this Creseyde found,  
All in a swoon lying on the ground.  
And piteously unto her he went,  
With woeful cheer and her in arms hente.  
And took her up and then atween them two.  
Began of new such a deadly woe,  
That it was ruth and pity for to seen,  
For she of cheer pale was and green.  
And he of colour like to ashes dead,  
And fro her face gone was all the red.  
And in his cheeks devoided was the blood,  
So woefully atween them two it stood,  
For she ne might not a word yspeake,  
And he was ready with death to be wreak,  
Upon himself his naked sword beside.  
And she full oft 'gan to the ground glide.  
Out of his arms as she fell a swoon,  
And he himself 'gan in tears drown.  
She was as still and dumb as any stone,  
He had a mouth but words had he none.  
The weary spirit flykered in his breast,  
That of the death stood tho under a rest,  
Without mainprize soothly as of life.  
And thus there was as it seemed a strife,  
Which of them two should first ypasse.  
For death portrayed both in heart and face,  
With colour such as men go to their grave.  
And thus in woe they 'gan together rave,  
Disconsolate all the long night.  
That in good faith if here I should aright,  
The process hole of their both sorrow,  
That they made till the next morrow,  
From point to point do it specify,  
All to long it would me occupy,  
Of every thing to make mention.  
And tarry me in my translation.  
If so I should in her woe proceed,  
But me seemeth that it is no need,  
¶ Sith my master Chaucer here afore,  
In this matter hath so well him bore,  
In his book of Troilus and Creseyde,  
Which he maid long or that he died,  
rehearsing first how Troilus was contrary,  
For to ascend up on loves stair.  
And how that he for all his surquidry.  
After became one of the compaynye,  
Of loves folk for all his old game.  
When Cupid had subdued him full tame,  
And brought him low to his subiectiowne.  
In a temple as he walked up and down,  
When he his gins and his hooks laid,  
Amid the eyen circled of Creseyde,  
Which on that day he might not asterte,  
For through his breast pierced hath his heart.  
He went him home pale dead and wan,  
And in this wise Troilus first began,  
To be a servant my master telleth thus,  
Till he was after holp of Pandarus.  
Through whose comfort and mediation,  
As in his book is made relation.  
With great labour first he came to grace,  
And so continueth by many years space.  
Till gery fortune 'gan upon him frown,  
That she fro him must go out of the town,  
All suddenly and sith him se.  
Lo here the end of false felicity.  
Lo here the end of worldly brotilnesse,  
Of fleshly lust lo here thunstableness,  
Lo here the double variation,  
Of worldly bliss and transmutation.  
This day in mirth and in woe to morrow,  
For aye the fine alas of joy is sorrow,  
For now Creseyde with the king Thoas,  
For Antenor shall forth gone alas,  
Unto Greeks and ever with them dwell.  
¶ The hole story Chaucer can you tell.  
If that ye list no man better alive,  
Nor the process half so well descrive.  
For he our english gilt with his says,  
Rude and boisterous first by old days.  
That was full far from all perfection,  
And but of little reputation.  
Till that he came and with his poetry,  
'Gan our tongue first to magnify,  
And adorn it with his eloquence.  
To whom honour laud and reverence,  
Throughout this land given be and song,  
So that the laurer of our english tongue,  
Be to him given for his excellence.  
Right as whilom by full high sentence,  
Perpetually for a memorial,  
¶ Of Columpna by the Cardinal,  
To Petrack fraunceis was given in italy,  
That the report never after fail.  
Nor the honour dirked of his name,  
To be registered in the house of fame,  
Among other in the highest seat.  
My master Galfride as for chief Poet,  
That ever was yet in our language,  
The name of whom shall pallen in none age,  
But ever yliche without eclipsing shine,  
And for my part I will never fine,  
So as I can him to magnify,  
In my writing plianly till I die.  
And god I pray his soul bring in joy,  
¶ And where I left I will again of troye,  
The story tell and first how that he Guydo,  
Within his book thus speaketh Troilus to.  
Rebuking him full uncourteously,  
That he so set his heart foolily,  
Upon Creseyde full of doubilnesse.  
For in his book as Guydo list express,  
That her tears and her complaining,  
Her words white soft and blandishinge,  
Were meynt with feigning & with flattery,  
And outward farsed with many a false lie.  
For underhid was all the variance,  
Cured above with feigned countenance.  
As women can falsely tears borrow,  
In their heart though there be no sorrow,  
Like as they would of very truth die,  
They can think one and an other say,  
As a serpent under flowers fair,  
His venom hideth where he doth repair,  
The sugar afore the gall hid behind,  
As propered is aye unto their kind.  
To be diverse and double of nature,  
Rathest deceiving when men most assure.  
For under colour every thing they work,  
The fair above the foul in the dark,  
They hid so that no man may espy.  
And though so be that with a woeful eye,  
They can outward weep piteously,  
The other eye can laugh covertly.  
Whose sorrows all are tempered with alleys,  
And their colour is ever meynt with rays,  
For upon change and mutability,  
Stand hole their trust and their surety.  
So that they be sure in doubleness,  
And always double in their sickerness,  
seeming one when they best can vary,  
Likest to a cord when they be contrary.  
And thus they be most variant in accord,  
And hoolest seem when there is discord.  
And Guido saith how there are few or none  
That in heart apaid is in one,  
And yet they can be it to one or twain,  
To three or four in their speech fain,  
Like as they were to one and to no more,  
Hoole in their love for well and eke for wo.  
That eneryche shall of himself dame,  
That he be next like as he doth seem.  
And thus in hope standeth each in of them all,  
The truest aye readiest forto fall.  
Who serveth best next to be appaired.  
And thus in change all their love is fayred,  
Let no man trust but catch when he may,  
Farewell to morrow though it be sure to day.  
The fair of change lasteth all the year.  
But it is folly for to buy to dear,  
Thilk treasure which hard is to possede,  
But flieth away when men thereof most need.  
And if it hap that no chapman be,  
As saith Guydo yet all day men may see,  
It showeth out at large fenestralles,  
On chambers high & low down in halls.  
And in windows eke in every street,  
And also eke men may with them meet,  
At pilgrimage and oblations,  
At spectacles in Cities and in towns,  
As saith Guydo and all is for to sell.  
But after him I can no further tell,  
And eke he saith in his sentement,  
There is no fraud fully equypolent,  
To the fraud and sleighty compassing,  
Of a woman nor like in their working.  
For who that set all his faithfulness,  
weening in them to find stableness,  
He shall them find steadfast as the moan,  
That is in point for to change soon.  
If he be young they cast him in rage,  
If he be old he falleth in dotage.  
Wherefore my counsel is to both two,  
Cast of the bridle and lightly let them go.  
¶ This teacheth Guido god wot and not I  
That hath delight to speak cursedly,  
Always of women throughout all his book.  
As men may see who so list to look.  
To them he had envy in special,  
That in good faith I am right wroth with al.  
That he with them list so to debate,  
For ire of which the Latin to translate.  
Inwardly my heart I felt bleed.  
Of high despite his clauses for to read,  
That resowned in conclusiowne,  
Only of malice to accusasiowne,  
Of those women full evil moat he thrive.  
So generally their sect do describe,  
Which made not through in discretion,  
Of good nor bad none exception.  
He was to blame foul might he fall,  
For cause of one for to hinder all.  
For I dare well affyrmen by the road,  
Again one bad their been an hundred good.  
And though some one double be and new,  
It hindereth not to them that be true.  
And by example also though he show,  
That some one whilom was a shrew,  
They that be good take shall no heed,  
For it no hindering is to womanhood.  
Though twain or three can double be & feign  
For there again soothly at Colayne,  
Of virgins weren inly full of grace.  
A leaven thousand in that holy place.  
A man may find and in our calendar,  
Full many maid perfect and enter,  
Which to the death stable were and true,  
For some of them with the rosin hew,  
Of martyrdom the bliss of heaven won  
And some also as books tell can,  
With the lily of virginity,  
And vyolettes of perfit chastity.  
Ascenden be above the stars clear.  
And the sercle of the ninth sphere.  
Where joy is aye with gladness eterne.  
Wherefore in sooth as I can discern,  
Though some clerkis of shrews have missaid  
Let no good woman thereof be mispayde,  
For lack of one all are not to blame.  
And eke of men may be said the same,  
For to the true it is no reproof,  
Though it be so another be a thief.  
For what is he the worse in his degree,  
Though that the other be hanged on a tree.  
Nor unto women hindering it is none,  
Among an hundred though that there be one,  
Of governance that be vicious.  
For there again that been full virtuous,  
If that ye list a thousand ye may find.  
And though Guido writ they have of kind,  
To be double men should it goodly take,  
And there again no manner grudging make.  
Nature in working hath full great power,  
And it were hard for any that is here,  
The course of her to hold or to restrain,  
For she will not be guided by no rain,  
To be coarted of her dew right,  
Therefore each man with all his full might,  
Should thank god and taketh patiently.  
For if women be double naturally,  
Why should men lay on them the blame.  
For though mine author hinder so their name  
In his writing only of Cryseyde,  
And upon her such a blame laid,  
My counsel is lightly overpass.  
Where he myssayth of her in any place.  
To hinder women other eve or morrow,  
Taketh no heed but let them be with sorrow.  
And pass it over where ye list not read.  
Till ye be come where that Diomedes,  
For he was sent into Troy town.  
Where seriously as is made menciowne,  
first how that she to him delivered was,  
¶ For Antenor and for the king Thoas.  
And how Troilus 'gan her to convey,  
With many other to bring her on the weigh.  
¶ And after this how that diomed,  
By the way 'gan her bridle lead,  
Till he her brought to her father's tent.  
And how that Calchas in full good intent,  
received her lodged there he lay,  
And her speech during all that day,  
And all the manner hole and everydeal,  
All is rehearsed seriously and we'll,  
In Troilus book as ye have heard me sane,  
To write it oft I hold it were but vain.  
¶ But Guydo saith long or it was night,  
How Cryseyde hath forsake her own knight  
And gave her heart unto this Diomedes.  
Of tenderness and of womanhood.  
That Troilus in her heart is now as cold,  
Without fire as been these ashes old.  
I can none other accusation,  
But only kinds transmutation,  
That is appropried unto her nature.  
seld or never stable to endure.  
By experience as men may oft lere.  
But now to turn again to my matter,  
I must resort though that I be far,  
As I began to written of the were.    

¶ Of their battles after that truce, the description of the Palace of Ilium, of a great pestilence in the greeks host, whereby they were enforced to seek for truce, which upon their suit they obtained for thirty days. Capitulo. xxvi.  

THe time passed of the truce tale,  
the next morrow when Titan hath forsake,  
The under party of their hemysperye,  
Where all the night he had be full merry,  
With Aurora lying by his side.  
But in his bed him list no longer bide,  
But shope him up & cast his streams sheen,  
¶ On Troy wall when Hector armed clean,  
Into the field fast 'gan him high.  
With fifteen thousand in his company,  
Of worthy knights and of manly men.  
And as I find Troilus had ten,  
Of knights eke that his banner sew.  
And in all haste Paris 'gan remove,  
Out of the town with them of Perce land,  
With each of them a mighty bow in his hand,  
And arrows sharp trussed by their side.  
And of knights that about him ride,  
He had also three thousand as I find.  
¶ And Deiphobus next him came behind,  
With three thousand knights armed clean,  
On whose plates the son shone full sheen,  
¶ And next him came the Trojan Aeneas,  
And as I read sothiny that there was,  
The same day with them of Troy town,  
An hundred thousand knights of renown,  
Like as recordeth Dares Frygyus.  
And in his book Guydo writeth thus.  
¶ And with the greeks all toforre that day,  
With seven thousand goeth Menelay.  
Knights eachone which he though did lead,  
And with as many went this diomed.  
And next them seweth the hardy Achilles,  
With his main called Myrmydones.  
¶ And zantipus the worthy king eke had,  
Three thousand knights which with him he lad,  
Into the field again them of the town.  
And alderlaste the great Agamenowne,  
With such a number of the greeks fell,  
That wonder is for to hearen tell.  
And when the wards in the field abroad,  
Had take their place without more abode,  
¶ A greekish king which that Phillis hight,  
Anon as he of Hector had a sight,  
Towards him sitting on his stead.  
With his spear he 'gan him fast speed,  
But when Hector hath his coming sayne,  
He hent a spear and road to him again,  
And through his shield & his plates round,  
He gave to him his last fatal wound.  
Upon whose death avenged for to be,  
Full many greek 'gan on Hector flee.  
And first of all the worthy king famous,  
¶ That of greeks was called zantypus,  
Of high disdain only for Phyllys sake,  
Toward Hector hath his course tale,  
And with a spear ran at him full right,  
But Hector first it him with such a might,  
Through his harness with his spears head,  
That zantyhus fell to the ground dead.  
The death of whom the greeks sore complain  
And did their might and their busy pain.  
On every half furious and wood,  
Them to avenge on the Trojans blood.  
And through their passing cruel hardiness,  
They 'gan Troyans though so sore oppress,  
That many one that day ne might asterte,  
Through the breast yperced and the heart,  
For to be dead and slain among the press.  
Among which cruel Achilles,  
Slew Lychaon and Eutorbyus,  
Noble knights right worthy and famous.  
That were ycome out of their country,  
Again greeks to helpen the city.  
And while trojans constrained were so narrow  
Were it with spear quarrel dart or arrow,  
Hector was wounded throughout the vizor,  
Into the face that like a river,  
The red blood down began to rail.  
By his harness through his aventail,  
Whereof atoned when they had a sight,  
Full many Trojan took him to the flight,  
And to the city fast 'gan them draw.  
And in the chase full many one was slawe.  
Or they might eft out of the field remewe.  
And ever in one greeks after sew,  
Unto the walls almost of the town.  
Till that Hector the Trojan champion,  
Of his knighthood 'gan to taken heed,  
Albe his wound sore 'gan to bleed.  
Yet of manhood he 'gan them recomfort,  
And maugre them into the field resort,  
Namely when he had inspectiowne,  
On the walls and towers of the town.  
How that Heleyne and Hecuba the queen,  
And his sister fair Polycene,  
With many other lady 'gan behold,  
Him thought anon his heart 'gan to cold,  
Of very shame his knygytes shoulden flee.  
And like a Lion in his cruelty,  
He made them turn manly everichone,  
And in his way he meeteth Meryon,  
A greekish king that was nigh of ally,  
To Achilles as books specify.  
And with his sword Hector smote him so,  
That he his body cloven hath on two.  
And when Achilles saw that he was dead,  
Parted atwo even fro the head,  
He hent a spear and thought he ne would fail,  
To it Hector through shield plate & mail,  
And road to him though full enviously,  
And mid the shield he smet him cruelly.  
But with the stroke Hector never addle,  
removeth not he sat so fast and well.  
But with his sword anon & tarrieth nought  
He to Achilles with envious thought,  
But knightly ran upon his courser,  
And on his crest that shone so bright & clear,  
With such a might Hector hath him smit,  
That he pierced through his bassenet,  
And razed eke from his aventail,  
With that stroke many piece of mail.  
That Achilles constrained was of need,  
Maugre his might to stagre on his stead.  
To incline and to bow his back,  
At which time Hector to him spoke.  
And said Achilles I do well advert,  
The great envy of thy cruel heart,  
And specially that thou haste to me.  
But be well aware therefore I counsel thee,  
Thyself to put so far in adventure,  
For of one thing I plainly the ensure,  
As I desire at my lust some day,  
Here in the field if I the meet may,  
Trust me right well there gaineth no succour,  
That I ne shall acquyten thy labour,  
So mortally I do the understand,  
With this sword that I hold in hand,  
That with thy life thou shalt not thens● escape.  
So cruelly the vengeance shallbe take,  
Eft when we met even upon thy head.  
¶ Of which thing when Achilles took heed  
Aduerting all that he heard him sayne.  
Right as he would have answered again,  
¶ Vorthy Troilus knightly entered in,  
And made them a sunder for to twin,  
And through the manhood of his company,  
Of worthy knights that he though did guy,  
And high prowess of his own might,  
He hath the greeks put again to flight.  
And slain of them that day out of dread,  
Syxe hundred knights soothly as I read.  
For loss of which the greeks fast 'gan flee.  
To their tents as of necessity.  
Till Menelay did his busy cure,  
To make them the field again recure.  
Through whose manhood that day out of doubt  
And worthy knights that weren him about,  
The field of greeks recured was anon.  
¶ But tho fro Troy came king Odemon.  
And in all hast possible that he may,  
He came enbushed upon Menelay,  
And him unhorseth in the self place.  
And such a wound gave him in the face.  
That from the death he wend not escape.  
And doubtless anon he had him take,  
With help of Troilus and lad unto the town  
But of greeks such a press came down,  
To rescue him in this great need,  
¶ That Odemon might though no further lead,  
King Menelay toward the city.  
When diomed came with his main.  
And many worthy riding him about,  
When Troilus met amongs all the rout,  
All suddenly of hap or adventure,  
Hath him unhorseth as it was his eure,  
And after that anon he hent his stead,  
And bade a squire that he should it lead,  
Unto Cryseyde only for his sake,  
beseeching her that she would it take,  
As for a gift of her own man.  
Sith he that day for her love it won.  
Amid the field through his great might.  
Of him that was whilom her own knight.  
And he in haste on his way it went,  
And thereof made unto her present.  
¶ praying her in full humble wise,  
This little gift that she not despise.  
But it receive for a remembrance,  
And with all this that it be pleasance,  
Of very pity and of womanhood,  
On her servant called diomed,  
To remember that was become her knight.  
And she anon with heart glad and light,  
Full womanly bade him repair again,  
Unto his lord and plainly to him sayne,  
That she ne might of very kindness,  
Of womanhood nor of gentleness,  
Refusen him platly from her grace,  
That was to her there in strange place,  
So kind found and so comfortable.  
In every thing and serviceable.  
That it may not likely out of mind,  
To think on him that was so true & kind.  
¶ With which answer the messenger is gone,  
Unto his lord and told it him anon,  
word by word like as she hath said,  
And he thereof was full well apaid.  
That him thought plainly in his heart,  
He was recured of his pains smart.  
And forth he had him in arms as a knight,  
¶ But that day during the strong fight,  
They of Troy so manly have them borne,  
That greeks might not stand them aforne,  
For to their tents they have them chased down  
That ne had be king Agamenowne,  
Greeks had be driven clean out of the field.  
The which thing anon as he beheld,  
He came upon with many worthy man,  
And though of new the slaught again began.  
On every half upon the large plain.  
That greeks have Troyans so be lain,  
That eft again they have the field ywon.  
So that Trojans canstrayned tho begun,  
To lose their land till polydamas,  
Which with his knights there beside was,  
'Gan fall upon endlong on the green,  
Them of Troy full manly to sustain.  
And the greeks he 'gan so to enchase,  
When he came in that they lost their place,  
And to the strand even upon the see,  
Through his knighthood he made them for to i'll  
Of their life that they were in dread.  
The which mischief when that Diomedes,  
Beheld and saw how polydamas,  
Mortally pursued on the chase,  
On horseback both and in the field yfere,  
With cruel heart hent anon a spear,  
And springing out road to him full right,  
And he again tacquyte him like a knight,  
As he that list on no party fain,  
Of his stead held again the rain,  
¶ And reached a spear & threw it in the rest,  
And diomed he smote so on the breast,  
That mortally like as it is found,  
He him unhorseth with a grievous wound.  
And right anon with a knightly heart,  
polydamas all at once start,  
Unto the horse of this diomed,  
And by the rain proudly 'gan it lead,  
¶ Unto Troilus where he on foot stood.  
All forbathed in the greeks blood,  
On every half which that he shed,  
amongs them so knightly he him had.  
That they ne might endure nor sustain,  
His sharp sword ground was so keen.  
¶ And deliver maugre all his foen,  
Into the saddle up he start anon,  
Of very force armed as he was,  
And unwarely by adventure or case,  
With sharp swords for the nonce whet,  
As Achilles and he together met,  
Worthy Troilus of rancour and of pride,  
Achilles smote that he fell a side,  
Down of his horse low to the ground.  
And notwithstanding his green mortal wound,  
He rose again and fast 'gan him speed,  
If that he might recure again his stead.  
But all for nought it would not avail.  
For suddenly with a fresh battle,  
They of Troy as made is mention,  
In compasewyse beset him environ.  
everich of them armed bright and clean,  
And Hector though in his furious tene,  
¶ As Dares telleth all the manner how,  
The same day a thousand knights slow.  
Which them withstood only in diffence,  
For Achilles to maken resistance.  
That time of death standing in jeopardy.  
That certainly but if that books lie,  
By likelihood he might not tho escape,  
In that mischief to be dead or take,  
Hector on him was so furious.  
¶ But as I read king Thelamonyus,  
Rescued him in this great need.  
And caused him there to recure his stead.  
notwithstanding all that it disdain.  
For he the duke and lord of Athene,  
Was in case of heart and hold intent,  
To help Achilles wonder diligent.  
That with him lad many noble knight,  
¶ But for because that it drew to night,  
As the story maketh rehearsal,  
They made an end as of that battle.  
And they of Troy entered be the town,  
And after that as made is menciowne,  
By and by having no delays,  
Mortally they fought thirty days.  
Without let or interruption.  
On other part to great destruction.  
But aldermost nathles their great pride,  
They lost most on the greeks side.  
¶ Save Pryamus lost in special,  
Syxe of his sons called natural.  
For whom he made great dole and heaviness.  
And as the story liketh to express,  
This mean while Hector in certain,  
In his face wounded was again,  
And thus they have in this cruel rage,  
On every part received great damage,  
Till Priam hath from Troy sent down,  
For a truce unto Agamenowne.  
For six months if he assent would.  
And thereupon he hath a counsel hold  
With his lords what were best to do.  
And they eachone accorded be thereto,  
And grant his axing conclusion.  
¶ And all this while within Ylyon,  
During the peace on other part assured,  
Of his wounds fully to be cured  
¶ Lay worthy Hector protector of the town.  
But of this rich royal chief doungeowne,  
That Ilyon in Troy bore the name,  
Which of building had such a fame,  
If that I should commend it up and down,  
As Dares doth in his discrypciowne,  
I want cunning my terms to apply,  
For in his book as he doth specify.  
In all this world was there new so rich,  
Of high devise nor of building lyche.  
The which stood the more to delight,  
As he there saith on twelve stones white,  
Of Alabastre shortly to conclude,  
And twenty pace was the latitude,  
That ground ypaved throughout with crystal,  
And up an height performed every wall,  
Of all stones that any man can find,  
Of Dyamountes and of sapphires Ind.  
The royal ruby so orient and light,  
That the darkness of the dim night,  
enchased was with the beams sheen.  
And ever among were emeralds green.  
With stones all that any manner man,  
In this world devise or reckon can.  
That were of prise, value, or richesses,  
There were wrought of large & great roundness  
As saith Dares, and ivory the pillars,  
And thereupon set at the corners,  
Of pured gold all above on height,  
There were images wonder huge of weight.  
With many pearl and many rich stone,  
And every pillar in the hall had one.  
Of massyfe gold burned clear and bright,  
And wonderful to any man's sight,  
For of this work the marvelous fashion,  
Was more like by estimation,  
A thing maked and founded by fairy,  
Than any work wrought by fantasy,  
Through wit of man as by likeliness.  
For in his books Dares doth witness,  
That it was like to reckon sight and all,  
In appearance a thing celestial.  
Seeth in this book ye get no more of me.  
For but in writing I might never it see.  
Albe that it all other did excel,  
No more thereof I think now to tell.  
But to return again to Pryamus.  
Which all this while was inly curious,  
With all his might and his busy cure,  
To ordain for the sepulture,  
Of his sons that afore were dead.  
¶ And all that time sick lay diomed,  
With loves stripe wounded to the heart.  
As he that felt inwardly the smart,  
Of woeful sighs which in his breast abreide.  
Full oft adaye for love of her Creseyde.  
For he was shake with a fever new,  
That caused him to be full pale of hew.  
And to wexen megre poor and lean,  
For piteously he 'gan him to abstain,  
For meat and drink and from all solace,  
As it was seen in his deadly face.  
And oft a day to her he would complain,  
Of his disease and of his mortal pain,  
praying of grace that she would do se,  
Upon his woe for to have pity.  
And of mercy for to taken heed,  
Of her servant only of womenhead.  
Or plainly else there is no more to say,  
For her sake he said that he would die.  
¶ But cunningly and in full sleighty wise,  
To keep him low under her service,  
With delays she held him forth on hand▪  
And caused him as in a were to stand.  
Full unsure between hope and despair.  
And when that grace should have had repair  
To put him out of all this heaviness,  
Danger of new brought him in distress.  
And with disdain to increase his pain,  
Of double were she brought him in a train.  
As women can hold a man full narrow,  
When he is hurt with Cupydes arrow.  
To set on them with many fell assays,  
Day by day to put him in delays.  
To stand unsure betwix hope and dread.  
Right as Creseyde left this diomed.  
Of intent to set him more a fire,  
As this women kindly aye desire.  
When they a man have brought in to a trance  
Vnevenly to hang him in balance,  
Of hope and dread to link him in a chain,  
And of the fine unsure of both twain.  
To drive him forth years them to serve,  
And do no force where he live or starve,  
This is the fine of loves fiery rage.  
And for she would have him in servage,  
She locked him under such a key,  
That he wot not where to live or die.  
Whereof in doubt thus I let him dwell.  
And forth I will of the story tell.  
And to my matter eke resort again,  
And as mine author recordeth in certain,  
After the truce were were out and gone,  
Twelve days suing all in one,  
The greeks have fought which them of the town.  
To great damage and confusion,  
Of other party and adversity.  
And in this while a great mortality,  
Both of sword and of pestilence,  
Among greeks by fatal influence,  
Of noyous heat and of corrupt air,  
Engendered was that though in great despair,  
Of their life in the field they leye,  
For day by day suddenly they die.  
Whereby their number fast 'gan dyscrece,  
And when they saw that it ne would sense,  
By their advise the king Agamenowne,  
For a truce sent unto the town.  
For thirty days. and Priamus the king,  
Without abode granted his asking.    

¶ How Andromecha was by a dream forewarned of the death of her husband Hector, if he the day following entered the field, where of she admonished him, and he thereto having no respect, was the next day slain of Achilles. Capitulo xxvii  

When the moreyne and the woeful rage,  
Of pestilence began for to assuage.  
And the truce were were out and gone,  
The greeks cast to meeten with their foen,  
Upon a day in plates armed clean.  
When Phoebus rose with his beams sheen,  
Full pleasantly and 'gan to shed his light.  
¶ But as I find tofore the self night,  
Andromecha the faithful true wife,  
Of worthy Hector him loving as her life,  
By whom he had get children two,  
Wonder seemly and inly fair also,  
¶ And Lamedowne called was the tone,  
So young the t'other that it ne might gone.  
¶ And Astyonax I read that he height,  
Fetured well and passing fair of sight,  
And as Guydo lysteth to indite,  
Of his mother at the paps white,  
For very young that time was sucking.  
And with his arm his breasts embracing.  
And she that night as made is mention,  
Had in her sleep a wonder vision,  
I note in sooth what I may it neven,  
Other a dream or verily a swevene,  
Or fro above a revelation,  
As whilom had the king Scypyon,  
Or a showing other an Oracle,  
Or of gods a warning by miracle,  
For in soothness sleeping as she lay,  
Her thought plainly if the next day,  
¶ Hector went his foemen for to assail,  
As he was wont armed in battle,  
That he ne should escape utterly,  
In fates hands to fall finally.  
And overmore Atropos shall fine,  
For evermore his lives thread to twine.  
And show the force of her fell might,  
When the Parodye of this worthy knight,  
A proche shall without words more,  
Into the field plainly if he go.  
Of which atoned street and short of breath,  
Where as she lay abraid upon the death,  
And with a sigh stint for to sleep,  
And piteously braced out for to weep,  
For the constraint of her hearty sorrow.  
And specially on the woeful morrow,  
When that she saw this stock of worthiness  
As he was wont manfully him dress,  
To arm him in steel borned bright.  
This trojan wall Hector this worthy knight.  
She can no more but at his feet fell down,  
Lowly declaring her a vysyowne,  
With quaking heart of very womanhood.  
Whereof god wot he took full little heed.  
But thereof had high indignation.  
Platly affirming that no discretion,  
Was to trusten in such fantasies.  
In dreams showed gladly meinte with lies.  
Full of japes and of illusions,  
Of which plainly the conclusions,  
Be not else but folks to delude.  
Albe it so that these people rude,  
Therein some while have affection,  
To judge and deem in their opinion,  
diversly what they may pretend.  
And oft fall and happen as they wend,  
And followeth like in conclusion.  
For dread of which the lamentation,  
Increase 'gan of this Andromecha.  
And in her swoon first she cried ha.  
saying alas mine own lord so dear,  
Your true wife alas why nill ye here.  
Which of so faithful hole affection,  
Desireth aye your salvation.  
And up she rose deadly of visage,  
And like a woman caught with sudden rage  
To king Priam and Hecuba the queen,  
In haste she went herself to be mean.  
And of her wifely heart true as steel,  
seriously declared every deal,  
Her piteous dream which through miracle,  
To her only by divine oracle,  
Yshewed was through god's purveyance.  
And told them eke the final ordinance.  
Of fortunes false dispocisyon.  
Fully purveyed to destruction,  
Of her lord without more delay.  
Into the field if he go that day.  
¶ Wherefore she prayeth with a deadly hew,  
Unto the the king of mercy for to rue,  
Upon her woe to have compassion.  
For to ordain by high discretion,  
Of his lordship and of sovereignty,  
That her lord may not destroyed be.  
Of reckeleshead or wilfulness.  
And with that word of very kindness,  
In whom was aye so moche love found,  
Tofore the queen in sown fell to ground.  
And said alas with a deadly cheer,  
Help in this case mine own mother dear,  
Of womanhood and routh do me grace.  
That my lord into the field ne pace.  
And do your devoir of motherly pity,  
benignly and goodly for to see,  
To his knighthood and his high prowess,  
For to restrain his renowned noblesse.  
This ilk day to handle spear or shield,  
Nor that he go armed into field.  
¶ And both twain assent for the best,  
And condescend unto her request,  
Finally according into one.  
That when the wards were ready everichone  
¶ On issuing out and Troilus first of all▪  
And Paris next on greeks for to fall,  
¶ And after him the trojan Aeneas,  
King Sarpedan and polydamas,  
King Eroys and king Epystrophus,  
And eke the king ycalled Forcyus,  
In plate and mail everich armed clean,  
And alderlast came king Phylomene,  
Withal the kings and lords of renown,  
That in defence come of the town,  
With the greeks knightly to debate.  
¶ And Pryamus soothly to the gate,  
Conveyed them at their out going,  
And set their wards this noble worthy king.  
Full prudently through his sapience,  
And after gave them congee and licence,  
Upon greeks for to prove their might.  
Against whom full ready for to fight,  
Their foemen were with royal apparel.  
Amid the field abiding the battle.  
¶ But Pryamus in the mean while,  
Like as Guydo remembreth in his style.  
For thilk fine that ye have heard me sayne,  
To whothy Hector repaired is again,  
Him contermaunding that he ne should gone,  
Thilk day to fight again their foen.  
For which thing of high despite he brent,  
When that he saw other lords went,  
Out at the gate and he alone abode.  
For which he waxed furious and wood,  
holy the cause aretting to his wife,  
That was of cheietie so tender of his life.  
Putting on her fully the occasyowne,  
Of his abiding that day in the town.  
In prejudice of his worthiness,  
And disencrease of his high prowess,  
And least through tongues to his high estate,  
Through false report it were derogate.  
He cast anon of a full knightly heart.  
For life nor death it should him not asterte,  
Within the field that day to be found,  
Though it so were with many mortal wound,  
He should on pieces hewn be a sunder.  
Upon the plain dismembered here & yonder.  
So hole in manhood was his heart set,  
That he anon without longer let,  
Again to arm him was full diligent,  
Again the precept and commandment,  
Of his father and road on his way,  
For fear of which anon as she would die  
His wife of new cry 'gan and shout.  
And with her papes also hanging out,  
Her little child in her arms twain,  
Tofore her lord 'gan to weep and plain,  
beseeching him of ruth and pity,  
If so he would unto her sorrow see,  
At the least for her wifely truth,  
That he of manhood have in heart ruth,  
Upon his child and upon her also,  
Which that she bore in her arms two,  
And not might him from crying keep,  
When he saw his woeful mother weep,  
And kneeling down unto him she said,  
In her sobbing as she might abraid,  
Mine own lord have mercy now on me,  
And on this little child which that ye see,  
So piteously afore you weep and cry,  
Have mercy lord on us or that we die,  
Have mercy eke upon this Cite,  
Mine own lord have mercy or that we,  
By cruel death pass shall eachone,  
For lack of help alas when ye are gone.  
¶ This was the cry of Andromecha,  
With whom was eke her sister Cassandra,  
¶ Hecuba and fair Pollycene,  
And Heleyne eke the lusty fresh queen,  
Which all at once fell him before,  
With heir untrussed and weeping all to torn.  
And loud 'gan to cry in the place,  
beseeching him of mercy and of grace.  
For thilk day to abide in the town,  
And in his heart to have compassyowne,  
On her complaint and her woeful moan.  
Sith all the trust of the town alone,  
In him abode and all the resistance,,  
Against death he was their chief defence,  
And in him only was their affiance,  
Their surety and their suffisance,  
In each thing that them might grieve.  
¶ And yet all this ne might his heart move.  
For to abide yet of goodlyheade,  
They him besought to their womanhood,  
He would incline his herded heart of steel,  
That they might a little drop feel,  
Only of pity on their woe to rue,  
That likely was to more and renew,  
Finally to their destruction,  
For of the Cite and likewise the town,  
His death in sooth should fully be ruin,  
But yet all this might not him incline,  
That he ne would out in conclusion,  
As indurate and hearted as a lion.  
He was alway continuing in his rage  
Whose heart might as often nor assuage,  
Nother prayer nor lamantation,  
Him to restrain from his opinion.  
For every peril he laid hath aside,  
And on his way 'gan anon to ride.  
Where through his wife none other boat can.  
But in her rage to the king she ran,  
So amazed in her mortal woe,  
That she uneath might speak him to.  
So diffaced and rewefull of her sight,  
That by her hew knoweth her no wight,  
For lost she had both might and strength,  
And plat she fell to the ground at length,  
Tofore the king that ruth was to seen.  
¶ beseeching him of intent full clean,  
That he of grace consider would her woe,  
For but he help Hector was ago.  
And he saying her faithful womanhood,  
At her request raught anon his stead,  
And pricked after only for her sake,  
In so great haste that he hath overtake.  
Worthy Hector within the Cite,  
And hent his rain with great difficult,  
And maugre him made him turn again.  
In such wise he durst it not with sayne,  
Albe that he was full loath thereto.  
So that by prayer and by force also,  
From his stead he made him to alight.  
The areste of whom eschew he ne might.  
For he ne would again his father strive,  
Albe that he felt his heart rive,  
Of melancholy and of hearty ire.  
And of disdain new set a fire,  
So inwardly stired was his blood.  
That like a Tiger or a Lion wood,  
That were deprived newly of her pray.  
Right so he fared all that ilk day.  
Or like a boar that his tusks whet,  
While the Greeks and they of Troy met,  
furiously walking up and down,  
And in diffence soothly of the town,  
Troilus first on his bay stead,  
Of adventure met with Diomedes.  
And each at other surquedous of pride,  
With sharp spears 'gan together ride,  
And Guydo saith without any dread,  
One or both had anon be dead,  
Ne had Menelay knightly go between.  
And after that in a furious tene,  
He smette his horse in full knightly wise,  
¶ And Mereon the mighty king of Fryse,  
Menelaus marked hath full well,  
And with his sword full sharp ground of steel,  
Unhorsed him and threw him on the green.  
For he the stroke might not tho sustain,  
This Menelay was on him so wood.  
That it was likely even there he stood,  
With his life he should not thence escape.  
For the Greeks full hastily them shape,  
This Meryon as ye have heard me sayne,  
For to be set round upon the plain,  
And to cease him by the aventail,  
On every part and cruelly to assail,  
All destitute in this woeful case,  
¶ But him to help came polydamas,  
With his knights and 'gan to nigh near,  
When he him saw taken prisoner.  
And maugre all that there upon him set,  
From their hands polydamas him fet,  
At whose reskues there was so great a strife,  
That many one therefore lost his life.  
For Greeks rather then he should escape,  
From their hands in that hasty rape,  
Cast them plainly that he should be dead.  
Fully in purpose to have had his head.  
He stood of mischief in so great disjoint,  
But him to selpe even upon the point,  
¶ Came Troilus in most knightly of array  
And of his manhood made such affray,  
amongs them in reskuse of this king,  
That maugre them at his in coming,  
Delivered was this mighty king of Fryse.  
From cruel death as ye have herd devise.  
But thereupon came Thelamonyus.  
Proud in arms and ever surquidous,  
With three thousand full worthy everichone,  
And he unhorseth polydamas anon.  
Among his knights & proudly bare him down.  
¶ But Troilus hath through his high renown  
Mid of his foen get him his horse again,  
But they of Troy so sore were belayne,  
On every half through the greeks pride,  
That they ne might afore them tho abide,,  
For new and new the hardy Achilles,  
Assailed them with his Myrmydones.  
That they compelled of necessity.  
In mischief were made for to flee,  
Home to the walls and gates of the town,  
To great damage and confusion.  
Of their party that aback so gone.  
¶ The which thing when Margaryton,  
Beheld and saw how the game goeth,  
In his heart he 'gan to wexen wroth.  
And passingly for to have disdain,  
As the story recordeth in certain,  
That he was both hardy and famous.  
And son also to king Priamus.  
A noble knight and of great worthiness,  
And when he saw the mischief and distress,  
Of them of Troy add how they 'gan i'll,  
He cast anon avenged for to be,  
Upon Achilles for all his great might.  
And ran to him full like a manly knight,  
On horse back for the towns sake,  
And him enforceth Achilles for to take,  
Amid the field among his knights all.  
¶ But Achilles alas it should befall,  
That day him slew by cruel adventure.  
Where through Troyans' mighten not endure,  
The field to hold but homeward 'gan them high  
And mortally they maken noise and cry,  
First for the death of Margaryton,  
¶ And for the pursuit that king Thelamon.  
Made on the chase through his cruelty.  
Home to the gates of Troy the Cite,  
That slew and killed alway as he road,  
Albe that Paris manly him withstood,  
With his brothers that in baste were borne,  
But for all that their ground they have lost,  
Left and forsake utterly the field.  
And home they went and brought on a shield,  
The dead corpse of Margaryton.  
And after that their gates shut anon,  
The which mischief as Hector 'gan behold,  
Of very ire his heart 'gan wax cold,  
And said platly without more delay,  
He would avenge his death the same day.  
And made in haste his stead to be fet,  
And up he start and on his bassenet,  
Vnwyste the king or who be lief or loath,  
There was no gain forth anon he goeth,  
Till he was passed the gates of the town,  
More furious than Tiger or lion.  
At whose coming as thick as swarm of been.  
Tofore his sword Greeks 'gan to fleen,  
They thought it was time to withdraw.  
And first I find how that he hath slawe,  
Two worthy Dukes as he with them met.  
That busy were his way for to let,  
The one called was Eurypalus,  
¶ And the other height Halcydius,  
And so Troyans' the field again have won,  
And of new manfully begun,  
Greeks to sew and follow on the trase,  
And yet at mischief Dan polydamas,  
The same time was of Greeks take,  
But Hector hath so borne him for his sake,  
Where as that he forest was belayne.  
And through his knighthod rescued him again  
And put the Greeks in so great distress,  
Through his manhood and his worthiness,  
That where so ever thilk day he road,  
His sharp sword he bathed in their blood,  
He was so cruel and so merciless.  
¶ But then a knight called Leothydes,  
Shaped him anon with Hector for to meet,  
While he was most irous in his heat,  
And set on him full presumptuously,  
But Hector though devoid of all mercy,  
Anon him slew and threw him in the field  
The which thing when Achilles beheld,  
The great slaughter and the wounds wide,  
That Hector made upon every side,  
He 'gan anon compass in his heart,  
And up and down cast and advert,  
How the greeks never may be sure,  
Again their foen to fight nor endure,  
Nor keep a field with them for to strive,  
All the while that Hector were alive.  
Wherefore he cast and shope many weigh,  
By what engine Hector might die.  
At advantage if he might him find,  
¶ And thereto eke Pollicenes of Ind,  
A worthy Duke was also of assent,  
Only for he of heart and hold intent,  
In hope stood his sister for to wive,  
For love of whom he felt his heart rive.  
And in her grace better for to stand,  
He cast fully for to take on hand,  
This high emprise as I have you told,  
But while that he was on him most bold,  
Hector him slew there was none other gain  
The which anon as Achilles hath say,  
For ire he waxed in his heart as wood,  
As boar or Tiger in their cruel mood,  
Upon Hector avenged for to be.  
And furiously he 'gan on him to i'll.  
¶ But Hector caught a quarrel sharp yground  
And threw at him & gave him such a wound,  
Throughout the thigh upon other side,  
That in the field he might not abide.  
But him withdrew and anon is went,  
With all his men home unto his tent,  
And made anon a surgeyn for to bind,  
His mortal wound and after as I find,  
When he was staunch & ceaseth for to bleed,  
In all haste again he took his stead,  
And least he were of that wound dead,  
afterward as it was great dread,  
He thought first avenged for to be,  
Upon Hector if he might him see.  
Of hap or sort if it would fall,  
For him thought to his pains all,  
It were to him the best remedy,  
Of his hand if he might die,  
For of his life he ruth not a mite,  
Be so that he Hector might acquit,  
Death for death in conclusion,  
For that was holy his entention,  
Of his desire fully suffisance,  
By death unwarely to give him mischance.  
¶ But all this time Hector up and down,  
As he was wont playeth the Lion,  
amongs Greeks in many sundry place,  
And with his sword 'gan them so enchase.  
That as the death where they might him seen.  
They fled afore him like a swarm of been.  
For none so hardy was him to wythsette.  
And in this while a greekish king he met,  
Were it of hap or of adventure,  
The which in sooth on his cote armure,  
Embrouded had full many rich stone,  
That gave a light when the son▪ shone,  
Full bright and clear that joy was to seen,  
For pearls white and emeralds green,  
Full many one were therein set.  
And on the circle of his basenette,  
And round environ of his aventail,  
In velvet fret all above the mail,  
sapphires ind and other stones red.  
Of whose array when Hector taketh heed,  
Towards him fast 'gan him draw.  
And first I find how he hath him slawe,  
And after that by force of his manhood,  
He hent him up afore him on his stead,  
And fast 'gan with him for to ride,  
From the wards a little out of side,  
At good leisure plainly if he may,  
To spoil him of his rich array,  
Full glad and light of his new emprise.  
But out alas of false covetise,  
Whose greedy fret the which is great pity,  
In hearts may not lightly staunshed be.  
The Etike draweth by so great distress,  
That it defaceth the high worthiness,  
Full oft sith of these conquerors.  
And of their fame rent away the flowers.  
Desire of having in a greedy thuoght,  
To high noblesse soothly longeth nought.  
Nor such pylfre spoiling nor robbery,  
Appartayne not to worthy chivalry.  
For covetise and knighthod as I lere,  
In one chain may not be knet yfere.  
For couth it is that oft such ravin,  
Hath cause be and root of ruin,  
Of many worthy who so list take heed,  
Like as ye may now of Hector read.  
That suddenly was brought to his ending,  
Only for spoiling of this rich king,  
For of desire to him that he had.  
On horse back out when he him lad,  
Reklesly the story maketh mind,  
He cast his shield at his back behind,  
To weld himself at more liberty,  
And for to have opportunity,  
To spoil him and for no wight spare,  
So that his breast disarmed was and bore.  
Except his plates there was no diffence,  
Again the stroke to maken resistance.  
Alas why was he though so reckless,  
This flower of knighthod of manhood peerless  
When that his foo all that ilk day,  
For him alone in await so lay,  
If in mischief of hate or of envy,  
In the field he might him ought espy,  
This Achilles cruel and venomous,  
Of hearty moste melancolius,  
Which covertly hoving him beside,  
When that he saw Hector disarmed ride,  
He hent a spear sharp ground and keen,  
And of ire in his hateful tene,  
All unwarely or Hector might advert,  
¶ Alas the while he smote him to the heart,  
Throughout the breast that dead he fell adown.  
Unto the earth this Trojan champion,  
Through negligence only of his shield,  
The death of whom when Odemon beheld,  
The worthy king might him not refrain,  
¶ But to Achilles road with all his pain,  
And hit him so amid of all the press,  
Maugre the might of his Myrmydones,  
That for dead Guydo saith certain,  
Of that wound fell grofeling on the plain.  
But his knights on a shield aloft,  
The ylayde him and carried him full soft,  
Unto his tent in all the haste he can,  
And there I leave this deadly wounded man,  
Full sore sick till he may relieve.  
And after that when it drew to eve,  
They of Troy with great reverence,  
Did their labour and their diligence,  
The dead corpse to carry into town,  
Of worthy Hector when Titan went adown  
And to the temple dolefully they wend.  
And of that day this was the woeful end.  
I can no more but thus the long night.  
In heaviness as it is skill and right,  
I will them leave and again return,  
To my matter to help them for to mourn.    

¶ The complaint of Lydgate for the death of Hector. Ca xxviii.  
But now alas how shall I forth proceed,  
In the story that for woe and dread,  
Feel my hand both tremble and eke quake,  
Oh worthy Hector only for thy sake.  
Of thy death I am so loath to write.  
Oh who shall now help me to indite,  
Or unto whom shall I clepe or call,  
Certys to none among the muses all  
That by accord singen ever in one,  
On Pernasus beside Helicon.  
So aungelyke in their harmony,  
That tongue is none that may specify,  
The great sweetness of their goodly song,  
For no discord is found them among,  
In their minsyke they be entuned so.  
It sit them nought for to help in woe,  
Nor in matters that be with mourning shent,  
As tragydyes all to tore and rent,  
In camplayninge piteously in rage.  
In the Theatre with a dead visage,  
To them alas I clepe dare nor cry,  
My troubled pen of grace for to guy,  
Nother to Clyo nor to Callyope,  
¶ But to Allecto and to Thesyphone,  
And to Megaera that ever doth complain,  
As they that live aye in woe and pain.  
Eternally and in torment dwell,  
With Cerberus deep down in hell.  
Whom I must pray to be gracious,  
To my matter which is so furious,  
For to a wight that is comlaplayninge,  
A dreary fear is right well sitting.  
And to a matter meynt with heaviness.  
Accords well a cheer of drearinesss.  
To be allied as by unity.  
¶ Wherefore help now thou woeful Niobe,  
Some dreary tear in all thy piteous pain,  
Into my pen dolefully to rain.  
¶ And help also thou cruelly Yxione,  
And Belydes that doth the bokette gone,  
And with thy stone help thou Secyphus,  
And in thy river help eke Tantalus,  
That for hunger haste so huge pine.  
This woeful playute help me for to fine.  
Me to further do your business,  
For now the stock and root of worthiness,  
Of knighthod ground of manhood sours & well,  
That tofore all bare away the bell,  
Of derring do this flower of high prowess,  
And was example also of gentleness,  
That never could do amiss or say,  
¶ Alas Hector alas why shouldest thou die.  
Oh cruel Parchas why took ye no heed,  
So cruelly to twine his fatal thread,  
Ye were to hasty alas why were ye so,  
And namely when the thread ye broke a two  
Thou Atropos which through thy great envy  
Oh Troy alas well mayst thou weep & cry,  
And make a woeful lamentation,  
Which haste of new to thy confusion,  
Lost thy diffence and thy strong wall.  
Thy bearer up thy surety royal.  
By whom thy honour chiefly was begun  
Alas alas for now thy bright son,  
Eclipsed is now standest thou desolate,  
Of all comfort and disconsolate,  
Thy light is lost and thou in dercknesse,  
Yplounged art for in soothfastness,  
Of all worthy thou haste the worthiest,  
This day yloste and the knightlyest,  
That is or was or shall I the ensure  
Be ever borne whylse the world may dure.  
No wonder is though thou be wale sore,  
And day by day complain for evermore.  
That was thy shield both in joy and woe,  
Whom thou were wont for to love so.  
So tenderly with all thy hole heart.  
That it may not lightly the asterte,  
To have him ever in thy remembrance.  
Which was in sooth fully thy suffisance.  
¶ For as Guydo maketh mention,  
There was no man dwelling in the town,  
That he ne had of very kindness,  
For love of him as he list express,  
His child more lief to have died in this case,  
Other his heir so well beloved he was.  
If the gods, fate, or destyne,  
Disposed had that it might have be,  
Women also of every manner age,  
Be for his death fall in such a rage,  
Through the Cite about in every street,  
That with sobbing and with salt tearꝭ wit  
And heir to rent for their deadly woe,  
furiously they ronnen to and fro.  
So mortal was their adversity.  
That to behold alas it was pity.  
Young maids and likewise matrons old,  
Sob and sigh and their fists fold.  
And loud cry and said finally,  
Alas now shall our fathers cruelly,  
In our sight be slain day by day.  
Alas the while and no man shall say nay.  
Farewell our help now Hector is gone.  
That in the sureness of us everichone,  
Was wont to rest now is he dead alas.  
¶ Of whom the body when it carried was,  
Into presence of Pryamus the king,  
Anon he lost the office of speaking.  
And 'gan himself in salt tears drown,  
And piteously therewith fell in swoon,  
Upon the corpse cold as any stone,  
Inly desirous for to die anon,  
Without tarrying on him as he lay,  
¶ But that he was by force rent away.  
His brethren eke when they token heed,  
Tryste and pale for sorrow well nigh dead.  
That have themself with rage all to torn,  
That never was I trow seen aforne,  
Of brethren yet such an other care.  
For each of them with himself 'gan far,  
As there they would have died on the corpse,  
For of their life platly they gave no force.  
But at the ground with many sorrows sore,  
Like wild bulls they 'gan cry and roar,  
That ruth was their deadly woe to seen.  
An heart of steel might it not sustain.  
¶ What shall I say of Hecuba the queen,  
Or of his sister young Pollycene,  
Or Cassandra the prudent and the wise.  
Or of his wife the sorrow to devise.  
Which rend themself in torment and in wo.  
As finally they would themself for do,  
By cruel death so they weep and wail.  
That if I should maken rehearsal,  
To write their sorrows & their complaynges  
Their piteous sobbing sorrows & weepings  
The woeful cries and piteous sows,  
Their dreary plaints and lamentaciownes,  
And all their woe for to specify,  
A large volume it would occupy,  
If each thing I should in order tell.  
I trow it were to long for to dwell.  
For any man and tedious to here,  
For many day after as I lere.  
The women wept afore the corpse lying.  
Themself defacing in their complaining,  
That wonder was how they might endure.  
But that they have it soothly of nature,  
And of kind for to weep and plain,  
To sigh sore and into tears rain,  
Till the tempest of their woeful rage,  
May by process lyt and lyt assuage.  
And thus I let them sigh and sorrow make  
This cely women that in their clothes black,  
shroud their faces & wimpled more in vain,  
While to my matter I return again.  
To tell plainly how king Pryamus,  
In heart was inly desirous.  
To cast away in his entention,  
The corpse to keep from corruption,  
Which naturally but men taken heed,  
Corrupt must right of very need.  
For of kindly dispocysyon,  
There may be made none opposytion,  
Above the ground if the body lie,  
That by all reason it must putrefy.  
But if craft be above nature.  
Vncurrupte it may not there endure.  
¶ Wherefore the king shope him to ordain,  
To preserve it hole fro things twain.  
From odour and abomination.  
And therewith eke by crafty operation,  
That in it slyght be not found horrible,  
But that it be lyefly and visible,  
To the eye as by appearance.  
Like as it were quick in existence.  
What it cost the king will spare nought.  
But made anon afore him to be brought,  
The craftyest masters of the town,  
Such as most had of discrecyowne.  
To perform his asking curyously.  
And they obey his bidding faithfully,  
With all their will and entire diligence.  
In the temple most of reverence,  
Of all the town whilom dedicated,  
And of full yore also consecrate.  
To Apollo of old foundaciowne,  
Beside a gate standing of the town,  
¶ Called Tymbrya in their Trojan tongue.  
As in story is both red and song.  
And in this fane that I speak of here,  
They made first by the high aultere,  
By great devise a little oratory,  
Perpetually to be in memory.  
Where as was set a rich receptacle.  
Made in manner of a tabernacle.  
Equal of sight for a large image,  
That raised was on a rich stage,  
That was borne at each of his corners,  
Of pured gold upon four pillars.  
And on everich full craftily ydight,  
An angel stood of gold borne bright.  
seriously the work to sustain,  
With crafty archies raised wonder clean,  
Enbowed over all the work to cure,  
So marvelous was the celature.  
That all the roof and closure environ,  
Was of fine gold plated up and down.  
With knots grave wonder curious,  
Fret full of stones rich and precious,  
Of every kind that man can devise.  
So royally and in so thrifty wise,  
That the derckenesse of the black night,  
With the beams of the clear light,  
enchased was where they dieden sheen.  
And fro the ground upright as a line,  
There were degrees men by to ascend,  
Made so well that no man could amend.  
The worckmanshyp & they were everichone,  
Performed up all of crystal stone.  
Attaining up from the table base,  
Where the standing and the resting was,  
Of this rich crafty tabernacle,  
Having above upon each penecle,  
A rich ruby. and raised high on height.  
Stood an image huge and large of weight,  
Of massy gold having the likeness,  
Of worthy Hector that 'gan his face dress,  
Toward greeks where he though did stand,  
Ay threating them with his sword in hand.  
And amids all this great richesse,  
They have yset by good aviseness,  
The dead corpse of this worthy knight,  
To sight of man standing up as right,  
By subtle craft as it were living,  
Of face and cheer and of quick looking,  
And of colour southly and of hew,  
Being as fresh as any rose new,  
And like in all as by supposayle,  
As he lived in his apparel.  
¶ For on his stead like as it is told,  
Through small pipꝭ wrought & made of gold  
That by measure were enbowed down,  
To an entre made in his crown,  
By great advise and subtlety,  
To each party and extremity,  
Of his body craftily porrecte,  
Through nerfe and sinew driven & direct.  
By secret pores craftily to extend,  
Whereby the liquor might down descend.  
To keep him hole fro corruption,  
Withouten any transmutation,  
Of hide and hew in any part to turn.  
And at his head of gold was an urn,  
And that was field with balm natural.  
That ran through pipes artyfyciall,  
Through neck and head into many place,  
Penetrable by veins of the face.  
That through virtue and force of this liquor,  
He was conserved lively of colour,  
Fresh of hew quick and nothing pale,  
So mightily the balm did avail.  
Comparisoned as it were semblable,  
To a soul that were vegetable,  
The which without sensybelyte,  
Ministereth life in herb, flower, and tree.  
¶ And semblably into every vain,  
Of the corpse the virtue did attain,  
By breast and arm spredinge environ.  
For the moisture by dissension  
To hand and foot southly as I read,  
Through bone & joint 'gan his virtue shed,  
And distilling mightily is fleet.  
And at his feet full of gums sweet,  
A vial stood tempered with bawne ymeynt  
That by process may not wax faint,  
But day by day increase and amend.  
Of which the vapour upward 'gan ascend,  
causing the air environ be delyse,  
To resemble a very paradise,  
For the savour more wholesome was and soot,  
Than the odour of gum spice or root,  
And of pure gold were four laumpes light.  
Tofore the corpse brenninge day and night,  
With oil in sooth if it be credible,  
That was by craft made in extinguible,  
For it ne might mine author saith certain,  
Nother be quaint with tempest wind or rain.  
Nor by process wasten of no years.  
Which in the air be bright bourned wires,  
Full craftily raised were a loft,  
Of whose sweetness men rejoiced oft,  
In their courage it liked them full well,  
And when this work was complete everidell,  
Round environ full rich and fresh to see  
¶ They made a parclose all of Ebon tree  
That so long last may and dure.  
The which tree only of nature,  
When it is cut smelleth wonder sweet,  
And may not waste nor burn with no heat  
Though it be laid among the coals red,  
Mid the flawme of many fiery gleed,  
It not consumeth though men assay full oft  
And in water it hoveth not aloft,  
But kindly thence to the ground it goth,  
To swim on height in sooth it is to loath,  
And like also as teacheth Plynyus,  
This tree whilom was passingly famous,  
Of so high prise and reputation,  
That in the large mighty region,  
And worthy land of ethiop and Ind,  
Of yore agone the folks as I find,  
Had this tree in so great honour,  
That they gave tribute to the Emperor,  
¶ As is remembered of antiquity,  
Of gold and ivor and of this rich tree.  
With these gifts famous and royal,  
To quite their debt to him in special.  
¶ And when Priam in full thrifty wise,  
Performed hath as ye have herd devise,  
This rich work noble and excellent,  
Of hearty love in all his best intent,  
Ordained eke as Guydo can you tell,  
A certain number of priests for to dwell,  
¶ In the temple in their devotions,  
continually with devout orisons,  
¶ For the soul of Hector for to prey.  
That the gods his spirit list convey,  
Eternally with them to dwell yfeare.  
In joy and bliss above the stars clear.  
¶ To which priests the king gave mansions,  
There to abide and possessions,  
The which he hath to them mortysed,  
Perpetually as he have heard devised.  
And whiles that they kneel pray and wake,  
I cast fully me an end to make,  
Finally of this my third book,  
On my rude manner as I undertook.  
And whiles they of Troy weep and morn,  
Unto greeks I will again return,  
And with dull style on the story trace,  
Only borne up with support of your grace.   
Thus endeth the third book.   


¶ How the greeks deposing Agamenon, ordained Pallamydes the general of their army. Cap. xxix.  
HEctor thus dead as ye have heard said,  
& Achilles in his tent ylayde,  
With his wounds mortal fresh and green,  
Upon a morning when the son sheen,  
Enchaced had away the dark night,  
¶ Agamenon the wise worthy knight,  
In his works passingly prudent,  
Hath in all haste for his lords sent,  
And when they were assembled everichone,  
Within his tent to them he said anon.  
¶ Sirs quoth he and lords that be here,  
King, Princes, and Dukes eke yfere,  
If ye advert by clear inspection,  
Ye ought echeone with high devotion.  
holy of heart our gods for to herye.  
And inwardly for to be right merry,  
If ye consider and wisely do take heed,  
¶ How that our enemy Hector is now dead,  
That whilom was bearer up of Troy.  
Their full trust their honour and their joy.  
Their hole defence and their protection,  
And unto us death and confusion.  
Vnlykely ever to have had victory,  
Whiles with life he flowered in his glory.  
Again whose sword we mighten not avail  
For slew he not at our arrival?  
If ye remember on the first day,  
¶ The noble king called Protheselay?  
And after next if I shall not fain,  
He Patroclus parted even on twain,  
In field amongs us everichone,  
Slew he not eke the worthy king Menon,  
Archylogus and also Prothenor,  
And eke the king that hight Alphynor,  
Phyllys also and king Epystrophus?  
¶ And to the end he brought zantypus,  
And Meryon the mighty strong king,  
In his way as he came riding,  
He slain hath and other kings two,  
¶ Cedyus and Doryus also,  
Polyrenes and strong Polybetes,  
Letabonis and the king Phylete,  
The manly knight the king Isydyus,  
¶ And eke the king called Humerus?  
For in his Ire and his cruel tene,  
Of worthy kings he slain hath eighteen,  
Which hither came out of greeks land,  
By the power of his mighty hand.  
¶ Now laud and honour to the gods all  
Which caused have that it is be fall.  
That he is dead to our increase of joy.  
And to discrese of our foen in Troy.  
As they shall find in experience.  
And laud also press and reverence,  
Be to fortune that us hath holp weal.  
With her turning of her double wheel.  
To high comfort and consolacyowne,  
Of us eachone sitting environ.  
That stand now in perfect sickerness,  
Through death of him that did us so oppress.  
And what may they wait now in the town  
But after death and destruction,  
And hastily for to end in woe,  
Now that their trust Hector is a go.  
Without whom they may not long endure,  
Wherefore we may fully us assure,  
Our purpose hole that we shall achieve.  
And finally daunt them so and grieve,  
That unto them it shallbe importable,  
Of one assent if we stand stable.  
For their party turneth on the wreck,  
And their hope is fully put a bake.  
And dispeired in nonsecurytye,  
For utterly both they and their City,  
Shall more & more in were of death depend,  
And we in sooth shall day by day amend,  
With help of god both on sea and land.  
For now victory is ready to our hand.  
devoid platly of ambyguyte,  
And excluded at eye as ye may see,  
Both of wantrust and of foreign dread,  
But I counsel or that we proceed,  
Any further upon our foen to ride,  
Prudently a while to abide,  
And keep us close for to pass our bounds,  
¶ Till Achilles be heeled of his wounds.  
And then eachone by mighty violence,  
Shall them oppress when they have no diffence  
As I have said through help of Achilles.  
And let us now send for a peace,  
For two months to king Pryamus,  
If it so be he list to grant it us.  
As it is like plainly that he shall.  
And they there while with flawme funeral,  
Consume may the dead bodies pale,  
That lie abroad on every hill and vale.  
Which by report of them that have repair,  
From day to day infecten so the air,  
Throughout the field engendering pestilence  
Of stink there is so great a violence.  
¶ And we there while may in ease and rest,  
Our wounds cure me seemeth for the best.  
¶ And they assent thereto everichone,  
And unto Troy the messageres are gone,  
And have the truce granted of the king.  
And be repaired without more tarrying.  
And thereof made full relation,  
To the greeks afore Agamenon.  
And after that when all was at an end,  
Home to his tent every lord doth wend.  
And while the truce endureth and the peace  
Among greeks king Pallamydes,  
Cumplayneth sore of Agamenon.  
That he so had the domination,  
Above them all having there at envy.  
And on a day in his melancholy,  
Of high despite and indignation,  
Full inly fret with irous passion,  
He 'gan break out and his rancour show.  
By certain signs though he spoke but few  
Till on a day the wise Agamenon,  
conceived hath of high discretion,  
holy this thing & thought he ne would spare,  
Fro point to point himself to declare,  
When his lords together were present,  
Tofore them all in his own tent.  
As he that was this noble worthy king,  
Full circumspect in every manner thing.  
Nought to rakell nor melancolyus,  
But by attemperance inly virtuous.  
Well advised and wonderly prudent.  
When that he knew the meaning and intent  
And the conceit of this Pallamydes,  
He not to hasty nor to reckless,  
But long abiding through prudence & reso●  
Within the bounds of his discretion.  
Whose tongue was only of sapience,  
So restrained that no negligence,  
Of hasty speech soothly for to rape,  
Might make a word his lips to escape,  
Unadvised for nothing him asterte,  
But it were first examined in his heart.  
For aye his speech in so thrifty wise,  
Conveyed was by doctrine of the wise,  
Under the rain of wit and high prudence,  
And after that by form of eloquence,  
Always so said that reason went aforne,  
So that no word was in his tale lost.  
¶ And in this wise showing his sentence,  
Tofore all in open audience,  
Said even thus when that all was peace,  
Unto the king called Pallamydes.  
¶ soothly quoth he if so ye take heed,  
Me seemeth plainly that it were no need,  
Auysedly if he list advert,  
To musen so nor grutchen in your heart,  
Of all this host that I have governance,  
Wisely considered every circumstance,  
How I the estate which no man may deny,  
Would in no manner never occupy,  
By other title then free election.  
Not interrupt by mediation,  
Of brocage other rooted upon meed.  
Ay under meynt with favour or falsehood.  
Depeinte with colour of true entention,  
As might support such false ambition.  
¶ Of which thing here I will me quite,  
Tofore you all that I am not to wite,  
In any wise of so high offence.  
But stand clear in my conscience,  
Without spot of any such vain glory,  
Touching the estate which is transitory.  
¶ Yet nevertheless I have do my cure,  
With all my wit to help and procure,  
That every thing touching the comentie,  
Persever might in prosperity.  
Having the eye of my inward sight,  
Unto the estate of every manner wight,  
That were committed to my governance,  
With great labour and busy attendance.  
Indifferent unto high or low,  
To help & fostre where as I might know,  
That any stood in mischief or in need.  
day and night for to taken heed,  
As I best could by advysednesse,  
Ay diligent that none fell in distress.  
For soothfastly who so look aright,  
My days thought and my watch a night,  
And of my heart the inly advertence,  
Without fraud sloth or negligence,  
Was faithfully with all my full might,  
Me to acquit to every manner wight,  
Like his estate without exception.  
So that no man justly of reason,  
Greek nor other that is now a live,  
Unto my guilt may duly do ascrive,  
Any falsehood engine or treachery,  
Of love or hate favour or flattery.  
In any cause named in special,  
But that I have be a like equal,  
To one and all with all my busy pain.  
That no man hath matter to complain,  
For his party of high or low estate,  
And to devoid of rancour and debate,  
amongs you I have do my devoir,  
In general and thing particular,  
That hither toward nothing hath mischieved  
And god wot well it should not have aggrieved,  
To my heart to set at any prise,  
You to have chose by your discrete advise,  
Some other to this domination.  
And I to have be in subjection,  
With ease of heart and tranquillity.  
Like other lords here of my degree.  
And in my will fully have obeyed,  
Like one of you utterly to have died,  
In the quarrel that we have undertake.  
If destyne had it so yshape.  
I say in soothe me is full loath to feign,  
And overmore also where ye plain,  
That I was chosen without your assent,  
Marvel not sith ye ne were present,  
Nor long after if ye remember a right,  
Toward Troy your way was not dight.  
If ye consider it was after near,  
Or that ye came passed full two year.  
And so long to abide your coming,  
It had been much to greeks hindering,  
Passing harm and full great damage,  
And huge letting unto our voyage.  
For if we had without any ween,  
¶ On your coming tarried at Athene,  
It likely is ye can not well say nay,  
To have be there yet unto this day.  
And where as ye thought it be not credible,  
And eke affirmed for an impossible,  
That Greeks should in any manner wise,  
Dare take on them any great emprise,  
In your absence manly to achieve.  
It is but wind nothing for to leave,  
For so it be to you none offence,  
The greeks have without your presence,  
Through their force on water and on land,  
Full many thing performed with their hand.  
And achieved through their worthiness.  
And of one thing that in me ye guess,  
This to say that of my degree,  
I should in heart so rejoice me,  
Of this lordship and this great estate,  
The more to be pompose and elate.  
In cheer or port that I it occupy,  
But me to acquit truly and not lie,  
And to devoid all suspection,  
I will make a resignation,  
Tofore you all for to excuse me.  
Now be advised discreetly for to see,  
Whom ye list have again to morrow prime.  
Without setting of any longer time.  
Prolonging forth or any more delay,  
And thus they made an end of that day.  
And went their way only for that night,  
Till on the morrow that Titan shed his light.  
At which time a counsel general,  
The greeks held but most in special,  
Of lords was there congregation,  
As I have told for the election.  
And when they were all met yfere.  
¶ Agamenon anon as ye shall hear,  
Said even thus with sad countenance.  
Lo sires quoth he touching the governance,  
That I have had and domination,  
I have thereto with hole affection,  
And clean intent do my business,  
That every thing might in wilfulness,  
To your increase persever and contune.  
Record I take of god and Fortune.  
Which have conserved and the cause be,  
You for to flower in felicity,  
So that your honour and your high noblesse  
Stand hole and sound yet in sickerness.  
And while your fame is most in flowering,  
As seemeth me it is right well sitting,  
Mine estate fully to resign.  
Specially while fortune is benign.  
¶ For of so many that be now present,  
I know myself only insufficient,  
Without help for to bear the charge.  
Men with to much may overlade a barge.  
And namely when tempest is and rage,  
And sith ye be so discrete and sage,  
Of my burden let me be relieved.  
So that no man therewith be aggrieved.  
But let us all of one entention,  
Without strife or dissension,  
Chose such one that most be acceptable,  
To you eachone and most covenable,  
You to govern by discretion,  
And they eachone with hole affection,  
Assented be to speak in general.  
Here men may see how it is natural,  
Men to delight in things that is new.  
The trust of people is faint and untrue.  
Ay undiscrete and full of doubleness.  
And variable of their sickerness.  
Ay awaiting in their opinion,  
After change and transmutation,  
seld or never standing hole in one,  
To day they love to morrow it is gone.  
In whom full seld is any sickerness.  
For only now of newfangelnesse,  
That hath embraced their affection,  
They have in stead of Agamenon,  
Of new chose only of favour,  
¶ Pallamydes to be their governor.  
And of all Grece like as they desire,  
To have the Sceptre of the hole Empire.  
And to be called about in every cost,  
The only Emperor of the Greeks host.  
Right as tofore was Agamenon,  
And this was fine and conclusion,  
For that day of their Parliament.  
And after that every man is went,  
To his lodging home the right way.  
¶ But in his tent wounded as he lay,  
The hardy knight the fierce Achilles,  
When that he heard of Pallamydes,  
From point to point and of the election,  
He was displeased in his opinion.  
And plainly thought as to his advise.  
Agamenon was passingly more wise,  
And more discrete unto governance,  
Than was the t'other as to his pleasance.  
And said it was none election,  
But a manner subrogation.  
Because himself in the parliament,  
At the chesing was not there present.  
Aretting it passing great offence,  
That the choice was made in his absenee.  
Wherewith he was of heart inly wroth.  
But where so be that he be lief or loath.  
There is no more but in conclusion,  
In his strength stood the election.   

¶ How king Priam in person issued into battle, for thaduengeadvenge of Hector's death, where he did right valiantly. Cap. thirty.  

THe truce passed and ywered out,  
The wounded eke recured all about.  
The next morrow after Pryamus,  
In his heart was inly desirous,  
With the greeks manly for to fight.  
Hector's death t'avenge if he might.  
This old Priam's knightly in the field,  
That when Troyans in themself beheld,  
The great will and the high courage,  
Of him that was so far yronne in age.  
They 'gan rejoice and pluck up their heart,  
And specially when they 'gan advert,  
His great manhood and his worthiness.  
His livelyed and his high prowess.  
And for his sake every manner man,  
'Gan arm him in all the haste they can,  
With Pryamus that day to live or die,  
An hundred thousand and thirty of the town.  
Like as Dares maketh mention.  
And worthy knights they were everichone  
Without other that with Priam's gone.  
¶ And all afore went Deiphobus,  
And Paris next and then Pryamus,  
Menon the king and worthy Aeneas.  
And alderlast came polydamas.  
And as I find stern and full of pride.  
Pallamydes came on the other side,  
Into the field with many strong battle,  
And first when each other 'gan assail,  
King Pryamus knightly his way cheese,  
Through the wards to Pallamydes  
And him unhorseth through his high renown,  
And like a knight he killeth & beareth down  
The proud greeks where so that they road.  
Was none so hardy that his sword abode.  
For so narrow he 'gan them to coharte,  
That their wards he made a sunder part.  
On them he was so fell and furious,  
For he that day did dedesfull marvelous.  
In arms wrought. that wonder was to seen  
And a marvel how he may abstain,  
Of so great age in the field tendure.  
For in credible was I you ensure,  
To see how he through his great might,  
The greeks put proudly to the flight.  
¶ And Deiphobus was also not behind,  
Again his foen knightly as I find.  
To acquit himself & make them to go back,  
And Sarpedowne in whom eke is no lack.  
Yfallen is on Neptolonius,  
The proudest greek and most surquedous,  
And most famous as of strength and might,  
The which agaynwarde road full line right  
To Serpedowne with a spear round,  
And deliverly smote him to the ground,  
¶ But Sarpedowne full irous in his heart,  
Without abode on his feet up start,  
¶ And Neptolonye in his ire all hot,  
throughout the thigh with his sword he smote.  
¶ And than anon the king of Perce land,  
That was so worthy & famous of his hand  
Of Sarpedowne when that he took heed,  
knightly to him restored hath his stead.  
¶ Not withstanding that Menelaus,  
Was upon him passing despyteous.  
And with him eke the Duke of Athenes,  
Enclosed have among the great press,  
The king of Perce alas it should befall.  
And slew him as he among them all,  
¶ Full knightly fought like a champion.  
With multitude enclosed environ,  
And he himself but alone alas,  
All destitute in this mortal case.  
Through whose mischief they of Troy town  
'Gan to withdraw till that Sarpedowne,  
Hath helped them to recure there land.  
Full many Greek killing with his hand.  
¶ And king Priam so manly found at all,  
With his sons called natural,  
Which upon him where so that he road,  
The long day manfully abode,  
Departing not plainly from his side.  
And as the king and they together ride,  
Full mortally the greeks they confound.  
For Pryamus with many cruel wound,  
Hath slain of them many worthy man.  
On horseback among them as he ran.  
For there was none that day young nor old,  
Of Troy town so hardy nor so bold,  
Of none estate that hath so well him borne,  
Among Greeks or so well hath him worn,  
From point to point to reckon every thing,  
As hath Priam the noble worthy king,  
For he alone was confusion,  
To the greeks and destruction.  
Their outer mischief and discomfiture,  
Afore whose face they might not endure.  
For things two in his mortal ire,  
inwardly have set him so a fire,  
The hearty hate that he bore of old,  
Unto greeks double many fold,  
With the death had in remembrance,  
Of worthy Hector by continuance.  
The which platly through his worthiness,  
With his sword he shope him to redress.  
For fret of hate and constraint of his pain,  
Were verily thilk things twain,  
By which that day who so look a right,  
His force was doubled and his might,  
Where through he took so cruelly vengeance,  
That he the greeks brought to outtraunce.  
And through his knighthood put them to the flight  
¶ But greeks then at once did their might,  
By assent to assemble into one,  
And for a sleight a side out they gone,  
Into a plain large and fair to see,  
Between Priam and Troy the city,  
To fine only in their entenciowne,  
Him to debar the entry of the town.  
For every way the greeks have with set,  
That they of Troy had though be let,  
At their repair the story telleth thus,  
Ne had the manhood be of Priamus.  
The which anon as any lion strong,  
With his sword 'gan ride them among,  
And severed them with large wounds wide  
And slew all though that would his sword abide  
Every where endelonge on the plain.  
¶ And Paris eke hath them so belayne,  
With mighty shoot of his strong archers,  
And with the pursuit of these arbalesters,  
That they ne might of the shoot so keen,  
The mortal harm abide nor sustain.  
But 'gan anon to i'll out of the place,  
And king Priam so narrow 'gan them chase,  
That of great need and necessity,  
Through the slaughter and the cruelty,  
Of his sword sharp whet and ground,  
There was no Greek in the field yfound,  
But fled away every to his tent,  
And they of Troy be to their Cite went,  
Because it drew fast toward night.  
For Phoebus had bereaved them his light,  
¶ And so the honour of his high victory,  
The worship eke the laud and memory,  
Perpetually and the palm also,  
¶ Priam the king hath won and no more.  
For that day in release of his sorrow,  
¶ And as I read on the next morrow,  
He hath ysente out of Troy town,  
For a truce to Agamenowne.  
Which granted was the self day at prime,  
Albe thereof rehearsed be no time.  
How long it last in the book express.  
¶ During the which they did their business,  
hearty labour and inward diligence,  
For to ordain with great reverence,  
How that the corpse of the worthy king,  
Of Perce land without more tarrying,  
With kingly honour out of Troy town,  
Shall carried be into this regiowne.  
To be buried with his predecessors,  
With other kings of his progenitors.  
The which thing was complete by the advise  
Of Alisaunder that called was Paris.  
And first the corpse embalmed richly,  
Conveyed was and that full solemnly,  
As write Guido with an huge rout,  
Of his knights riding him about,  
Triste and heavy clad in black eachone,  
And with the char the right way they gone,  
Towards Perce leading of this king,  
The dead corpse toward his burying.  
Which hallowed was like his estate royal.  
¶ And in this while the feast funeral,  
Was hold also with great devociowne,  
¶ Of worthy Hector within Troy town.  
Like the custom used in though days.  
And the rites of their paynim lays.  
The which feast as made is mention,  
Fro year to year by revolution,  
Yhalowed was the space of fortnight,  
With many flawme and many hideous light,  
That brent environ in the sentuarye,  
And called was the Aniversarye,  
For that it came about year by year,  
A certain day in their Kalendere.  
In which of custom for a remembrance,  
The people should by continuance,  
Plain and weep and also pray and read,  
For their friends that afore were dead,  
Full piteously with their heir to torn,  
mourning in black and kneeling aye aforne  
The dead corpse of this worthy knight.  
Which in his time so passing was of might.  
And this was done while the truce dure,  
So that the Greeks trustily might assure,  
When that them list at good liberty,  
Without danger enter this cite,  
Day by day and Troyans' might also,  
Unto Greeks freely come and go.   

AT which time with full great delight,  
Hath Achilles caught an appetite,  
To enter and see the manner of the town.  
Without wisdom or dtscresciowne,  
For to behold plainly and to see,  
Hoole the manner of this solemnity.  
And forth he went on a certain day,  
Toward Troy in all the haste he may.  
Unarmed soothly as mine Author sayeth.  
Without assurance or any other faith,  
Except the truce who so be life or loath.  
And first of all to the temple he goeth,  
Of Apollo hallowed where was the feast.  
Throughout the town down unto the jest.  
That cleped was the Anyversarye,  
As ye have herd what should I longer tarry.  
And many worthy present was thereat,  
Amid the temple of high and low estate,  
Lords and ladies of affecciowne,  
From every part gathered of the town.  
¶ Now was the corpse of this worthy knight  
As fresh of colour kept unto the sight,  
As lively eke and as quick of hew,  
To behold as any rose new.  
Through virtue only of the gums sweet,  
And the balm that 'gan about fleet.  
To every joint and each extremity,  
¶ And at this feast and solemnity,  
Was Hecuba and young Pollicene,  
So womanly and goodly on to seen,  
With many other of high estate and low,  
Tofore the corpse sitting on a row,  
With heir untrussed clad in weeds black,  
That ever in one such a sorrow make,  
That ruth was and pity for to seen,  
How they plain and the death bimeane,  
Of worthy Hecor of knighthod ground & well.  
¶ But trow ye as Guydo list to tell,  
That Pollicene in all her woeful rage,  
Ychaunged hath upon her visage,  
Her native colour as fresh to the sight,  
As is the rose or the lelye white.  
Other the freshness of her lips red,  
For all the tears that she 'gan to shed.  
On her cheeks as any crystal clear.  
Her heir also resembling to gold wyere,  
Which lay abroad like unto the sight,  
Of Phoebus' beams in her sphere bright.  
When he to us doth his light avail.  
And aye she rent with her fingers small,  
Her golden heir on her black weed.  
¶ Of which thing Achilles took good heed,  
And 'gan marvel greatly in his thought,  
How god or kind ever might have wrought,  
In their works so fair a ceeature.  
For him thought he might not endure,  
To behold the brightness of her face.  
For he felt through his heart pace,  
The persinge streams of her eyen two,  
Cupid's dart hath him marked so,  
For love of her that in his desire,  
He brent as hot as doth any fire,  
And after soonewith sudden ire he quoke,  
And alway fix on her he had his look,  
So that the arrow of the god Cupid,  
Hath pierced him even through the side,  
To the heart and gave him such a wound,  
That never was likely to be sound,  
And aye in one his look on her he cast,  
As he durst and 'gan to press fast,  
Toward her namely with his eye.  
That him thought he must needs die,  
But if that he found in her some grace,  
There was no gain for plainly in that place,  
Of new he was caught in loves snare.  
That of health and of all welfare,  
He was despeyred in his heart so,  
That he ne knew what was best to do.  
Each other thing I do you well assure,  
He set at nought and took of it no cure,  
His thought was on her and no more,  
The long day thus went he to and fro,  
Till Phoebus' cheyre low 'gan decline.  
His golden axetre that so clear did shine,  
This to say the son went down,  
When Hecuba queen of Troy town,  
¶ And her daughter Pollycene also,  
Out of the temple to the palace go.  
¶ And aye Achilles on her had a sight,  
While that he might till for lack of light,  
He may no more have leisure opportune,  
To look on her cursed be fortune,  
For which in haste he maked hath his went,  
With his knights home unto his Tent.  
Where he anon without more tarrying,  
To bed goeth full tryste in complaining,  
Ay in himself casting up and down,  
In his mind and eke in his reasowne,  
From head to foot her beauty everydeal,  
And in his heart he felt and knew full well,  
That final cause of his languyshing,  
Was Pollicene of beauty most passing.  
For love of whom so much pay ne he felt,  
That with the heat he thought his heart melt.  
Ay on his bed walowinge to and fro.  
For the constraint of his hid woe,  
For which almost him thought that he died,  
And to himself even thus he saide,  
¶ Alas quoth he how me is woebegone,  
That of my sorrow know end none.  
For I suppose sith the world began,  
Ne was there never a more woeful man.  
For I that whilom was of so great might,  
So renowned of every manner wight,  
Throughout the world both of high & low  
For there was none in sooth that could know  
A man in arms that was more famous,  
Nor yet yholde more victorious,  
Tofore this time remembered by no style,  
Unto this day alas the hard while,  
Nother Hector plainly nor none other.  
Of Pollicene that was the worthy brother.  
That power had when they with me met,  
For all their might me to overset.  
Nor in the field my force for to daunt,  
Here privily as I me dare avaunt,  
¶ But now alas a maid of tender age,  
Hath suddenly me brought in such a rage,  
That with the streams of her eyen twain,  
She pierced hath and cloven every vain,  
Of my heart that I may not asterte,  
For to be dead through constraint of my smart  
¶ For who shall now wish me or teach,  
Or who alas shall now be my leech,  
Or who alas shall help me or save,  
There is but death and after that my grave,  
For other hope plainly is there none.  
Save in her mercy alas and that is gone,  
For neither prayer treasure nor richesse,  
Force nor might neither high prowess,  
Highness of blood birth nor kindred,  
May avail nor helpen in this need,  
To move her nor my sad truth,  
Upon my woe ever to have ruth.  
¶ What new fury or inportune rage,  
Hath brought my hertin to such outrage,  
Against which I can not now debate,  
¶ Too love her best that deadly doth me hate  
¶ And in good faith who wisely list advert  
little wonder though she me hate of heart,  
Sith I am come hither, fro so far,  
On her kindred for to make were,  
In the which to my confusion,  
Her knightly brother most worthy of renown  
Have fatally with mine hands slawe.  
Which in this world had no fellow,  
Of worthiness nor of manlyheade.  
Alas alas now may I quake and dread,  
And of my life fallen in despair.  
For how should I be bold to have repair  
Or dare alas come in their sight,  
I woeful wretch I unhappy wight,  
Or how shall I be hardy to appear,  
In the presence of her eyen clear,  
Certys I see none other mean weigh,  
But finally that I must needs die.  
So despaired I stand on every side.  
Of other help I con me not provide,  
And right anon with scaldinge sighs deep,  
This Achilles burst out for to weep,  
With deadly cheer pale and funeral;  
And with his face turned to the wall,  
That ruth was and pity for to seen,  
The hearty fury of his pains keen.  
For so oppressed he was in his thought,  
Of life nor death that he wrought nought.  
And this continued till it drew to night,  
That Titan hath withdraw his clear light,  
And ever in one like this woeful man,  
Ilyche like of colour pale and wan,  
Without sleep so fretting was his sorrow.  
¶ Till Lucifer on the next morrow,  
Tofore the son with his beemes clear,  
Full lustily 'gan for to appear.  
In the orient when this Achilles,  
unpatient without rest or peace,  
Quaking aye in his fever new,  
As it was seen plainly in his hew.  
Till he abraid of anguish suddenly,  
And called one that was with him prive.  
And of counsel whom he trusteth well,  
And unto him he telleth everydeal,  
From point to point with him how it stood.  
And sent him forth because he could his good  
On his message straight to Troy town,  
With full advise and informaciowne,  
Of this matter to Hecuba the queen.  
Through his wisdom for to be a mean,  
If so he might by his discretion,  
Find any way as of salvation,  
Unto his lord that he loved so.  
And to the queen anon he is go,  
And his matter wisely 'gan convey,  
Tofore or he of grace would her prey,  
That she enjoyeth to give him audience,  
For in his tale there was none offence.  
¶ He was no fool nor new for to lere,  
Wherefore the queen goodly 'gan him here,  
Of all that ever him liketh for to say,  
There was no word ylost nor spoke in vain.  
For his tale no man could amend,  
And craftily he 'gan to descend,  
To the substance and told clearly out,  
With premises full well brought about,  
That finally in conclusion,  
The chief he said of his entention,  
effectually if it would be,  
Was for to make peace and unity,  
Atwene Greeks and the folk of Troy.  
To which thing he knew no better weigh,  
Than of the were for their alder ease,  
By his wit prudently to appease,  
The mortal strife and the bitter rage,  
By alliance only of marriage,  
If that her list this wise worthy queen,  
¶ That her daughter fair Pollicene,  
may wedded be unto Achilles.  
Where through their might be a final peace,  
If Hecuba by her discretion,  
Through her wit and mediation,  
And her prudence might about bring,  
That Pryamus were fully assenting,  
¶ That Achilles might his daughter wive.  
So that it might performed be as blyve,  
Like as tofore made is mencin,  
By covenant only and condition,  
That the Greeks shall their were let,  
And suffer him to liven in quiet.  
If the marriage of these ilk twain,  
performed be and knit up in a chain.  
¶ And when the queen hath known his intent,  
Full soberly by good advisement,  
Tofore or that any word asterte,  
Full piteously she sighed in her heart,  
And at the last with a sober cheer,  
Even thus she said to the messenger,  
My friend quoth she touching thy request,  
I can no more make the behest,  
But at the lest I will condescend,  
What lieth in me to bring to an end,  
Thy lords will with all my heart entiere.  
But hereupon I must first reqire,  
The kings will if he list to assent.  
To the purpose for which thou art sent.  
And overmore I must wit also,  
If that Paris be willing eke thereto.  
Of which thing with every circumstance,  
I will myself maken enqueraunce,  
¶ Full faithfully of Priam and Paris,  
The mean while what is their advise,  
Without more within days three.  
At which time come again to me,  
From Achilles if so he will the send,  
And finally thou shalt know an end,  
Of this matter and an answer plain.  
And home he goeth to Achilles again,  
¶ With full glad cheer his lord the more to please,  
And for to set his heart at better ease,  
Auysedly of high discretion,  
He hath so made his relation,  
And told his tale in so thrifty wise,  
As he that could his words so devise,  
To bring in hope into his lords heart,  
With full release of his pains smart,  
Whereby he made his sorrow to withdraw,  
And thus while hope 'gan to adawe,  
¶ Amid his break. and Hecuba the queen,  
¶ Too Priam spoke of this Pollycene,  
touching the sonde of this Achilles,  
And of his proffer for to make a peace,  
She told him all and forgot nothing,  
Whereof atoned Priamus the king,  
Spoke not a word half an hours space,  
But in himself 'gan inly to compass.  
Full prudently what it might mean,  
That Achilles would have Pollycene.  
Unto his wife aye wondering more & more  
And at the last sighing wonder sore,  
He hath disclosed the conceit of his heart,  
And said alas how sore it doth me smart,  
To remember that I may have no peace,  
The great offence of this Achilles,  
Towards me plainly when that he,  
Slew worthy Hector through his cruelty,  
That holy was upon every side,  
The hole assurance governor and guide  
Of me and mine platly for to say.  
And therewithal of mine eyen twain,  
He was alone the very soothfast light.  
Shield & protector through his great might  
And his manhood again the mortal rage,  
Of Greeks were in my crooked age,  
¶ But now alas to my confusion,  
He slain is so worthy of renown.  
By Achilles which may not out of mind.  
That in my heart I can never find,  
To be allied with my mortal foo,  
Root and ground of all my sorrow & woe.  
It were full hard my heart to appease,  
To love him that causeth mine unease.  
On every half where through my cruel foen  
The proud Greeks hearted be eachone.  
Against me now Fortune is contrary.  
Turned of new my quarrel to apayre.  
That causeth Greeks wood and furious,  
On me alas to be presumptuous.  
¶ Only for Hector is me bereft away.  
But sithen I no other choice may,  
Against heart though it for anger rive,  
In this matter assay I shall to strive,  
Though me be loath and sitteth me full sore,  
Yet to eschew harms that be more,  
Which likely be hereafter for to fall,  
And for to save mine other sons all,  
I will consent that this Achilles,  
So that he moke a true final peace,  
Atwene Greeks and also this Cite,  
Without more plainly how that he,  
Have unto wife my daughter Pollycene.  
¶ But lest that he any treason mean,  
My will is first how so that it wend,  
Of his behest that he make an end,  
Without fraud this is mine advise.  
¶ To which counsel assenteth eke Paris,  
And more rather in conclusion,  
For there was made none excepcioon,  
¶ In this treat of the queen Heleyne,  
That Menelaye never should attain,  
Her to recure again unto his wife.  
For which Paris without noise or strife,  
Or grudging other unto this intent,  
Within himself was fully of assent,  
Thereby hoping without fear or dread,  
Perpetually Heleyne to possede.  
Right at his lust and no man shall say nay.  
And after this upon the third day,  
¶ Achilles hath to wit of this matter,  
To Hecuba sent his messingere.  
And she him told the answer of the king,  
seriously gynninge and ending.  
And how that he assenteth well thereto,  
¶ And Paris eke and she herself also,  
If it so were plainly she him told,  
touching the peace that the purpose hold.  
And first that he his hest bring about,  
That they be sure thereof need not doubt,  
That he shall have his purpose everydeal,  
If that he work prudently and we'll.  
And hereupon with informaciowne,  
This messenger out of Troy town,  
Without abode in all the haste he may,  
To Achilles held the right way.  
And told him hole the effect of this matter,  
And he alway fervent and entiere,  
In heart brent as hole as any gleed,  
And saw there was none other way to speed  
But only peace as ye have heard me tell.  
¶ And aye his breast with sighs 'gan to swell,  
For the only love of this Pollycene,  
And cast alway among his throes keen,  
To his purpose a way for to find,  
And whiles he was busy in his mind,  
How he should his purpose bring about,  
And in himself casteth many doubt,  
¶ Anon despair in a rage up start,  
And cruelty caught him by the heart,  
Which hath him throw into such a were,  
That him though it was in his power,  
All his behest to fulfil in deed.  
Except he had well the less dread.  
Every thing to put in certain,  
weening no Greek would his lust with fain  
From his desire to be variable,  
And to himself thus was he favourable,  
For to perform and nothing to deny,  
All that was lusty to his fantasy.  
As is the manner of lovers everichone.  
That they suppose to achieve anon,  
What thing it be that they list take on hand,  
In what disjoint that the matter stand,  
All though it be a very impossible,  
In their folly they be aye so credible.  
And so Achilles trusteth finally,  
For to fulfil his hests utterly,  
Supposing aye for his worthiness,  
For his manhood and his high prowess,  
In which he did himself glorify,  
Some what of pride and of surquidry,  
How the Greeks shoulden be despaired,  
Both of their trust & their might appaired,  
Upon Troyans' to winnen any land,  
If it so were that he withdrew his hand,  
To help them and therewithal also,  
Home into Grece that they wolden go,  
From the siege only for his sake.  
And their quarrel utterly forsake.  
¶ But it so were this day fierce Achille,  
With them abode the cite for to spill.  
For which thing the lords by assent,  
Assembled were to hearen the intent,  
Among them all of this Achilles.  
By the biding of Pallamydes,  
And when they were gathered all yfere,  
Tofore them all like as ye shall hear,   

THis Achilles hath his tale begun.  
And said sires that so much can,  
Both of wisdom and of high prudence,  
So renowned eke of sapience,  
Throughout the world & of discretion,  
And be so worthy also of renown.  
Kings and dukes of whose royal name,  
From East to West flowereth yet the fame.  
Both of knighthood and of manlyhead.  
To that I say I pray you taken heed.  
This to say if that ye consider,  
The plain intent of our coming hither,  
By good advice that our intention,  
Had no ground founded on reason,  
Nor cause rooted on no manner right.  
If it so be that ye life up your sight,  
And advert clearly in your mind,  
Full far a back wit was set behind,  
Prudent looking and adviseness,  
For first when that we of folly hastiness,  
Took upon us to come from so far,  
Again Troyans for to gin a were.  
And to ieoparte our lives everichone,  
For the love of one man alone.  
Ye wot all I trow whom I mean.  
¶ King Menelay defrauded of his queen.  
To tell troth me list not for to feign,  
For ye well wot only that Heleyne,  
Was ground and ginning of all this debate.  
For whom so many worthy of estate,  
Recurlesse of any remedy,  
Life and good have put in jeopardy.  
Our lands left and eke our regyownes,  
Our cities also and our rich towns.  
Which by our absence stonden desolate,  
wives and children eke disconsolate.  
In woe abide mourning and distress,  
Whiles that we here the sooth to express,  
From day to day beset on every ride,  
Lie in the field and our death abide.  
In sorrow and care in labour and in woe,  
And with all this ye wot well also,  
Sith first time that the were began,  
Of our greeks how many worthy man,  
Hath lost his life through deaths fatal wound  
That hitherto have might lived & be sound  
At home in Grece assured well in joy.  
If they ne had comen unto Troy.  
That to remember it is full great pity,  
¶ And over this I say also for me,  
Among Trojans in their cruel mode,  
I have so much lost of my blood.  
That hath full oft made pale of hew.  
¶ This other day also green and new,  
I had of Hector such a mortal wound,  
With a quarrel sharp what and ground,  
Above the thigh so keen was the head,  
The same day afore that he was deed,  
Of very hap as it was yshape,  
That from the death uneath I might escape.  
Which yet all fresh is upon me seen.  
Large and wide and as yet but green.  
The smart of which I yet full sore complain.  
¶ And in good faith me seemeth that Heleyne  
If ye advert wisely in your thought,  
With such a prise should not have be bought.  
Where through our life and our good yfeare,  
And our honour are yput in were.  
And dreadfully hangen in balance.  
For if that ye in your remembrance,  
conceive aright and casten up and down,  
The sudden change and revoluciowne,  
That fallen hath sith the were began,  
The slaught & death of many worthy man,  
That for her sake hath here lost his life.  
And yet the worst of this mortal strife,  
Doth most rebound into our damage.  
To disencrease and eke disadvantage,  
And likely is daily to be more,  
If ordinance be not made therefore.  
And remedy shape on other side.  
By fine only that Heleyne do abide.  
With them of Troy still here in the town.  
And let us cast by good inspectiowne,  
For our ease some other manner way,  
¶ So that the king called Menelay,  
Cheese him a wife in some other land.  
Like his estate by surance or by bond.  
Under wedlock confirmed up of new,  
That unto him will be found true.  
Sith that we without guilt or sin,  
May him by the law from this Heleine twin.  
For of diverse causes be enough,  
throughout the world of every wight yknowe.  
Of adultery for the foul vice,  
That it to law is no prejudice,  
¶ Though Menelay justly her forsake.  
When so his list and an other take.  
That shall him both better queme and please  
And so to us it shall be full great ease.  
When the were is brought to an end.  
Which likely is many man to shende.  
If it so be that it forth contune.  
The great labour is so importune.  
That we ne shall no while mow sustain.  
For this is sooth withouten any ween,  
Trojans yet be flowering in their might.  
And with them have full many worthy knight.  
To help them of high and low degree,  
And therewithal so strong in their cite,  
On every part without and eke within,  
That we are not likely for to win,  
In our purpose though we ever abide.  
Wherefore by wisdom let us voiden pride.  
And wilfulness only of prudence,  
To have the eye of our advertence,  
To our profit more than vain glory.  
And while our honour shineth by victory,  
A wisdom is to withdraw our hand.  
Sith we may not constrain by no bond,  
Fortunes wheel for to abide stable.  
Wherefore I read or she become mutable,  
This gery goddess with her double cheer,  
Let us give up such thing as lieth in were.  
Whiles that we may our alder worship save,  
For of the were the laud yet we have.  
Consider well how by your manhood,  
¶ Our most foe Hector is now dead.  
And while that we in our honour flower,  
My counsel is before fortune louvre,  
As I said ere to change her bright face,  
While that we best stand in her grace,  
By one assent and one opinion,  
Without any contradiction,  
Of heart and will both of one and all,  
Or our honour on any party pall,  
Into Grece that we home return.  
For if that we longer here sojourn,  
On the quarrel that we have long sewed,  
Doubtless it may not be eschewed,  
Full great damage this without fail,  
Or we have done shall follow at the tail.  
Wherefore best is our folly up resygne,  
And while our hap is welfull and benign,  
Most blandyshing and of face fair,  
The time is best to make our repair,  
While that we stand in party and in all,  
With our enemies in honour perigal.  
And far above plainly if that we,  
Could have an eye to our felicity.  
While that it is in his ascension.  
¶ But lest some man will make objection,  
That we may not so our honour save,  
To repair plainly but we have,  
Helen again that is cause of all.  
To which thing anon answer I shall.  
¶ If any man in his fantasy,  
To dishonour or to villainty.  
Arrecte would in any manner kind,  
We to go home and leave her behind.  
Shortly to say I hold it be no shame,  
Sith that we have one as great of name,  
¶ As is Heleyne and of birth as good,  
amongs us ycome of kings blood.  
¶ Sister to Priam's lord of Troy town.  
¶ Exiona whom that Thelamowne,  
In keeping hath if I shall not feign,  
In Troy town as Paris hath Heleyne.  
And sith now it may be none other,  
Let the tone be set again the t'other.  
And the surplus of old enmity,  
Betwyxe us and Troy the cite.  
My counsel is for our both ease,  
By one assent wisely to appease.  
This all and some and that we hence wend.  
I can no more my tale is at an end.  
¶ To whom anon king Menelaus,  
For very ire wood and furious.  
¶ And king Thoas the duke eke of Athene,  
As they that might no longer him sustain,  
To suffer him they were so reckless,  
Spoke all at once unto Achilles.  
Not only they but through impatience.  
The court perturbed without providence.  
With tumult gonnen to reprove,  
¶ This Achilles and proudly them commeve  
Against him and his opinion.  
And said shortly in conclusion,  
Unto his read they ne would assent.  
Nor condescend to nothing that he mente,  
To be governed by him in this case.  
¶ For which thing anon Achilles was,  
So full of ire and rancour in his heart.  
That suddenly from his see he start,  
And went his way as he were in a rage.  
Tryste and pale and a wood visage.  
And shortly said for him like not fain,  
That he ne would longer do his pain,  
To help them how so that they speed,  
Again Troyans for no manner need.  
¶ And bad anon this hardy Achilles,  
To his knights called Myrmydones,  
That they no more with spear nor with shield  
To help greeks entre into field.  
But keep them close at home within thetr tent,  
Thus in his ire he gave commandment,  
To all his men as ye have herd devise.  
Them to withdraw at every high emprise,  
When so ever they go into battle.  
And in this while scarceness of victual,  
Fell in the host of flesh of bred and wine.  
That many Greek brought unto his fine.  
For they ne might endure for distress,  
constraint of hunger did them so oppress.  
¶ Till at the last king Pallamydes,  
As he that was in nothing reckeles,  
Hath thereupon made purveyance,  
Remedy and ready ordinance,  
And by assent and counsel of eachone,  
¶ He hath sent wise Agamenon,  
The worthy sting to Messa there beside,  
A little I'll only to provide,  
For the greeks if he might speed.  
Them to relieve in this great need.  
¶ And Thelephus king of that land,  
Of gentleness hath put to his hand,  
As he that was large and wonder free,  
And renowned of much humanity.  
To secure them commanding aye anon,  
His purveyors in all haste to gone,  
From every party about environ,  
Through all the lands of his region,  
And faithfully to search every cost,  
To take up victual for the greeks host.  
¶ And after that full hastily he made,  
To stuff their ships plainly and to lad,  
With every thing that was necessary,  
To the greeks and by water carry,  
At request of king Agamenon,  
Without tarrying or delation.  
¶ And so the king with plenty of victual,  
fraught and ylade 'gan anon to sail,  
Toward the siege he and his meynee.  
Ay costing by the grekyshe see.  
¶ The wind was good & the king as blyve  
With his navy at Troy did aryve.  
In few days and Greeks anon right,  
Of his repair were full glad and light.  
Of his exploit and his good speed.  
That he so well hath borne him in this need.  
¶ And after this Pallamydes anon,  
As saith Guydo is to his ships gone,  
For to consider and look all about,  
Where need was within and eke without.  
Any of them to amend or repair,  
As he that list for no cost to spare.  
In every thing without negligence.  
touching his charge to do his diligence,  
Till the truce fully were out run.  
And the wars new again begun.  
Which many man soothly dear about,  
And seriously to write how they wrought,  
My purpose is plainly in sentence,  
Under support of your patience.   

During in one the deadly cruel hate,  
That stint may nor cease by no date.  
atwix Greeks and them of the town.  
To great damage and destruction,  
On other part feeling full unsweet.  
Till on a day they cast for to meet,  
As they were wont proudly which spear & shield  
With their wards entering into field,  
Armed full bright upon other side.  
¶ And embattled stout and full of pride,  
Full knightly have chose their ground & take  
Their large banners with the wind yshake,  
Till they together suddenly have met.  
¶ And alderfyrst Deiphobus hath set,  
Fresh and lusty and of heart irous.  
¶ Upon a king called Creseus,  
And of envy the story telleth than,  
On horseback as they together ran.  
¶ Deiphobus first with his spear as blyve,  
Throughout the breast even did him rive.  
Unto the heart that he spoke no more.  
The death of whom Greeks plain sore.  
And for his love such a woe they make,  
That all atoned they have the field forsake  
And 'gan anon unto their tents flee.  
The which in sooth when they of Troy see,  
Upon the chase fast 'gan them speed.  
Unto time that worthy diomed,  
¶ And with him eke the king Pallamydes,  
Of high despite cruel and merciless,  
With twenty thousand worthy knights all,  
Upon Troyans suddenly are fall.  
And mortally made them lose their way,  
And to resort home again to Troy.  
¶ And eke with greeks fell and furious,  
The same time came Thelamonius,  
That height Ajax's the strong knightly man,  
And like a Lion among them as he ran,  
Upon Trojans and them over set,  
Casually in his way he met,  
¶ Cecylien lusty fresh and light,  
And of his time a wonder manly knight.  
And son was to Priam as I read,  
Whom Thelemon pricking on his stead,  
Slew cruelly with his sword anon.  
Rasing his arm from the shuldre bone.  
That he alas fell dead in the field.  
The death of whom when Deiphobus beheld,  
Wodder anon then Tiger or Lion,  
With a spear rauhe to Thelamon,  
And smette him so through his plates bright,  
Of very force that he made him light,  
And lose his saddle be set among the press.  
¶ The which stroke when Pallamydes,  
Beheld and saw and clearly 'gan advert,  
Irous and wood with a furious heart,  
Cast him anon to avenge Thelamowne.  
On Deiphobus full worthy of renown.  
And mortally his guerdon him to quite,  
And with a spear ground for to bite,  
Sharp and keen large round and square,  
Full cruelly or that he was ware,  
Through his harness without more areste,  
¶ Deiphobus he smote so in the breast,  
That with the stroke he broke the shaft a two.  
So that the tronchone and the head also,  
Left in his breast that there was no way,  
Finally but that he must die.  
There was none help nor remedy at all,  
The wound was so cruel and mortal,  
That with the life he might not abide.  
¶ And in this while Paris came beside,  
Of adventure while this Deiphobus,  
Was of his wound so inly anguishous,  
And 'gan in haste for to approach near,  
With face pale and right an heavy cheer,  
And for his distress wept piteously.  
And his knights commanded hastily,  
His wounded brother a side soft and fear,  
In all haste that they should forthwith do bear.  
Out of the wards from the great press.  
Unto his pain for to do relese,  
For to a breathe him at leisure and avente.  
In open air and they unto him went,  
Maugre the greeks where he wounded was  
And bore him out a full easy pace,  
Toward the wall fast by the town,  
And with great dole and lamentaciowne,  
Full softly on the ground him laid.  
Till at the last this deadly man abraid,  
With mortal look and face funeral,  
And there piteous so that each ball,  
'Gan turn up of his deadly eye,  
And even thus to Paris he 'gan say.  
Oh brother my whom that I loved so,  
Have now pity and rue upon my woe,  
Of kindness and of brotherhood,  
And to my words of ruth take now heed,  
Sith we by death must a sunder twynne.  
¶ For Attropose shall no longer spin,  
My lives thread but the knot break,  
Wherefore brother I pray the to be wreak,  
Upon my death or I hence pace.  
If that thou list to do me such a grace,  
Of kindness yet or I be dead.  
Out of my breast or this spears head,  
Be rend away that thou avenged be,  
Upon my foe as I trust in the.  
That I may wit he be dead or I,  
And that his spirit it pass finally,  
And first descend deep down in hell.  
Eternally with Pluto for to dwell.  
Mid his bounds that dark been and low.  
That finally so that I may know,  
That he be dead there is no more to say,  
I give no force how soon that I die.  
¶ To whose request Paris took good heed▪  
And into field fast 'gan him speed,  
For thought and woe piteously weeping,  
While his brother lay there lanquyshing.  
Not awaiting but only after death,  
Upon the point to yelden up the breath.  
¶ And with his knights Paris up & down  
The wards sought about environ,  
¶ Till at the last Pallamydes he fond.  
With Sarpedon fighting hand of hand.  
Now was this king this worthy Sarpedown  
Come in defence of them of Troy town.  
Which of his hand was a noble knight,  
And while that he with all his full might,  
¶ Most busy was Pallamydes to press,  
Like a Lion whetted with woodness,  
Pallamydes in heart not a feared,  
Let fly at him with his sharp sword,  
So mightily that it was a wonder,  
For he his thigh parted hath a sunder,  
And smote of by the herd bone.  
¶ That Sarpedon fill down dead anon.  
So that Trojans when that he was slawe,  
Were compelled of force them to withdraw,  
Through the pursuit of king Pallamydes.  
Which upon them was so merciless.  
And as cruel as a wood lion.  
¶ After the death of king Sarpedon.  
The which alas when Paris did espy,  
He marked him with a cruel eye,  
And hent a bow that passingly was strong  
And with an arrow to his tiller long,  
Entoxycat with venom in the head,  
That whom he smote therewith was but dead  
And hit him so in the aventail,  
Throughout the stuff and the thick mail,  
Into the throat that it 'gan through pace,  
That he fell dead in the self place,  
¶ Pallamydes this manful worthy knight.  
Where through Grekis took them to the flight  
And made a noise and a woeful cry,  
The death complaining wonder piteously,  
Of their lord and mighty governor.  
But late chose to be their Emperor,  
Their chief succour and sovereign refute,  
But now alas they stand destitute,  
Of governance broke and disarrayed,  
Without guide right as sheep dismayed,  
Disconsolate and comfortless yshent.  
That each of them flieth unto his tent.  
And they of Troy sued on the chase,  
On horseback a wonder huge pace,  
And merciless slew them as they i'll.  
On every side that pity was to see.  
Without mercy or any other grace.  
For like the Lions they 'gan them enchase.  
Till they compelled of necessity,  
Constrained were through their cruelty,  
To turn again and themself defend.  
And they of Troy down anon descend,  
Of horseback even upon the plain,  
And at once there was none other gain,  
They 'gan the greeks proudly to outraye,  
And cruelly do them so disamaye,  
That finally there gaineth no diffence,  
So mortal was the mighty violence,  
Of Trojans that Greeks so diffoyle,  
And alderfyrste at leisure they despoil,  
The greeks tents of gold and richesse,  
At which time Troilus 'gan him dress,  
And Paris eke down to their navy,  
With thirty thousand in their company.  
killing all though plainly that they met,  
And on their ships wild fire they set.  
That to the wall of Troy the city,  
Men might well the hideous flawme see.  
¶ And all had gone to destruction,  
Ne had Ajax's ycalled Thelamon,  
Through his manhood & knightly excellence  
Come anon and made resistance,  
Of the greeks with many worthy knight,  
And though of new began the mortal fight.  
Atwene Trojans and the greeks stout,  
The red blood railing all about,  
Upon the plain so hideously they bleed,  
And here and there both in length and breed;  
Dead and maimed and full pale of sight,  
Upon the soil full many noble knight.  
atwix them so cruel was the hate.  
For in their fight together they debate,  
As wild bores even so they far.  
For none of them list other for to spare.  
And in the field worthy Thelamowne,  
Through his knighthood & his high renown  
So manly bore him greeks to defend,  
That no man might in manhood him amend.  
Through all the world though men had sought.  
For he that day in his person hath wrought,  
Marvels in arms through his great might  
That in soothness Greeks anon right,  
Without him had finally be shent,  
And their ships at once lost and brent,  
Through the pursuit of Paris that day,  
¶ And worthy Troilus that made such affray,  
amongs them through high prowess.  
That thirty shyypes Guydo doth express,  
Were lost and brent or that Thelamowne,  
To reskus came with his knights down.  
Unto the sea the remnant for to save.  
But for all that Trojans that day have,  
The higher hand of this mortal fight.  
Through the force and the great might.  
Of Troilus only which hath so many slain,  
Of the greeks in sooth that they were fain,  
Them to withdraw and the field to let.  
For in abiding they fond full unsweet.  
Wherefore they 'gan for to lose their place,  
¶ Among which the kings son of Trace  
That Heber height wounded to the death,  
That he ne might uneath draw his breath,  
With a spear in his breast sticking.  
¶ To Achilles he came in complaining,  
Unto his tent even there he lay,  
Which in the field was not all that day.  
¶ For the sake only of Pollycene.  
The love of whom was so sharp and keen,  
Ay at his heart alike green and new.  
To whom Heber with a mortal hew.  
Complaineth sore arretting cowardice,  
And in manhood a very trewandyse,  
That he that day might so for shame,  
Withdraw himself in hindering of his name  
Out of the field to him full great reproof,  
Of the greeks saying the mischief,  
That they were in. and confusion,  
Upon the brink of their destruction.  
Abroad the field to see them so lie dead,  
And list not once for to take heed,  
Of his knighthood greeks to relieve.  
¶ And while Heber 'gan him thus reprove,  
And the spear which in his body was,  
All suddenly was drawn out alas,  
With Eye up cast in rancour and in ire,  
Full piteously Heber did expire.  
¶ In the presence of this Achilles.  
And therewith came in a sudden res,  
Into his tent a certain knight of his,  
¶ Of whom Achilles asketh how it is,  
Among the greeks and clearly how it stood.  
And he answered full Irours in his mode,  
Certes quoth he full unhappily,  
For they of Troy have so cruelly,  
Our greeks all this day in their fight,  
Full shamefully put unto the flight.  
So many slain alas and wellaway,  
That uneath none escape might away,  
Vnhurte maimed or withouten wound,  
So fell on us Trojans were yfound.  
And of them eke was such multitude.  
That I suppose shortly to conclude,  
This day there was to my opynyowne,  
Not left a man within Troy town.  
That able was to stand in battle.  
With spear or sword his enemy to assail,  
I Ween in sooth but they been come out,  
With us to fight there was so huge a rout.  
That we ne might of force take on hand,  
In the field against them for to stand.  
¶ But now my lord it draweth unto night,  
That they be faint any more to fight.  
If it were pleasing to your worthiness,  
To your manhood and your high noblesse,  
To take on you to your increase of fame,  
For evermore to gotten you a name,  
And there withal for your own glory,  
Perpetually to be in memory,  
To rise up and arm you anon,  
And suddenly upon them to gone,  
Feeble and weak to make resistance,  
Against your manly famous excellence.  
There were no more but we were victors,  
For e●er more and very conquerors.  
During the world to be in remembrance.  
And they for ever brought unto outraunce,  
In soothfastness I have of it no dread.  
¶ But Achilles took of him no heed,  
Nor to Heber that lay afore him dead,  
Full cold and struck of colour like to lead.  
Nor once list to give him audience,  
Nor unto him have his advertence.  
There may no word in his heart mine,  
To that he said to maken him incline.  
For utterly even like he feared,  
As though he no manner word ne herd.  
For through his ears it passed as a sown.  
¶ Lo here the manner and condiciowne,  
The very custom and the plain usance,  
Of these lovers hanging in a trance.  
¶ Honour, worship, manhood and prowess  
Strength, might, fame and hardiness,  
Increase of name virtue and victory,  
knighthood, noblesse, and in arms glory,  
All these mighty can loveley aside,  
Such is the might of the god cupid.  
Which hearts high with his hook can seize,  
So loath they are plainly to displease,  
either in cheer or in countenance.  
In will or deed or disobeisance.  
To her that is their sovereign lady dear.  
For with a look of her eyen clear,  
She can full well daunt all their pride.  
For Venus soon so can provide,  
His arrows keen to pierce nerfe and vain,  
And them enlace in his fiery chain,  
That only through his importable charge,  
They be restrained for to go at large.  
Which cause was this day doubtless,  
That this noble hardy Achilles,  
Would not withouten any ween,  
Come in the field for dread of Polycene.  
lest that she were offended in her heart.  
If any thing escaped or asterte,  
This Achilles through misgovernance.  
And whiles he hengeth thus as in balance,  
The greeks fought with them of the twone,  
Till bright Phoebus was at going down,  
That Trojans of necessity,  
For lack of light entre the city.  
And while that they homeward be repaired  
Say Deiphobus of his life despaired.  
complaining aye on his deadly wound.  
And when Paris & troilus have him found  
In that mischief they 'gan weep and cry,  
As they would for very ruth die.  
With woeful noise and with piteous sown,  
The salt tears 'gan to run down,  
On their cheeks upon other side.  
And whiles they upon him abide,  
This wounded man 'gan draw to his end.  
Whose spirit was ready for to wend,  
Out of his breast and his weary ghost,  
Full hastily into another cost,  
With deadly eyen turned up so down.  
When that he knew by relacyowne,  
¶ That Paris hath Pallamydes yslawe.  
Anon he bade that they should out draw,  
The large tronchone with the stelen head.  
And there with all anon he fell down dead.  
And with the corpse they 'gan them fast speed  
Toward the town but for it is no need.  
The dole to write and lamentaciowne,  
That made was for the noble Sarpedowne,  
Through the city and namely of the king,  
And of the queen ever in weeping,  
Of his brethren and his sisters dear.  
It were but vain to rehearse it here.  
¶ But Priam hath with great diligence,  
Two towmbes of royal excellence,  
For Deyphobus and king Sarpedowne,  
With many image graven environ,  
And many a knot koruen here and yonder.  
And buried them but a little a sunder,  
Like the custom of their rites old.  
And whiles they the feast hallow & hold,  
That called is the feast funeral,  
The Greeks have do make in special,  
A rich tomb to the worthy king,  
¶ Pallamydes and for his burying.  
solemnly made ordinance,  
amongs them as it was usance,  
And with great dole and piteous heaviness,  
They have this king of great worthiness,  
Royally brought to his sepulture.  
¶ And for they might long not endure,  
Without an head and a governor,  
They chosen have to their Emperor,  
By one assent and affection,  
The worthy king the wise Agamenon.  
¶ And after they made no letting,  
They of Troy the next day ensuing,  
With their wards in to field to gone,  
Fully purposed to fight with their foen,  
And greeks manly in the face them met.  
But worthy Troilus so them over set,  
That greek was none shortly for to tell,  
Thilk day afore him might dwell.  
So cruelly he 'gan them for to chase.  
For where he came or road in any place,  
They fled his sword of their life in doubt  
His young knights riding him about,  
Such as he was usant for to lead,  
And ever in one the greeks blood the shed.  
Which like a stream distained all the plain  
And all this while was so huge a rain,  
The same day and so huge a mist,  
That every man hath his fellow mist.  
Specially upon the greeks side,  
That for the storm and their wounds wide  
And for the manhood of this Trojan knight.  
¶ Worthy Troilus so fresh, so young, & light  
They were co-act through his cruelty.  
Maugre their might for dread of death to i'll,  
To their tents secure for to find,  
Trojans aye pursuing behind,  
jull mortally wish a stern pace,  
But for the storm they cease of the case,  
And home repair to their Eitie strong,  
Till on the morrow that the lark song,  
That Troilus eft most manly to battle,  
The greeks new cast him for to assail.  
¶ And Guydo writ this young champion  
Thilk day as he road up and down,  
Among his foen through his high renown  
that there ne was king duke earl nor barown,  
With his sword where so that he wend,  
That of their life he made a mortal end,  
All the while that Phoebus gave his light.  
Till at the last that it drew to night,  
That he to Troy repaireth manfully.  
¶ And seven days suing by and by,  
This life he led with his knights fell,  
Upon greeks as Guydo can you tell.  
Ay new and new he 'gan them so confound  
His cruel sword was so keen ground,  
That they ne might in his mortal tene,  
Afore his sight abide nor sustain.  
Nor the vengeance that he on them took,  
For where he road the weigh they forsook,  
In his trase the renges were so red.  
Of them in sooth that in the field lay dead.  
For which slaughte and confusyowne,  
The greeks new sent to the town,  
¶ For a truce to Pryamus the king.  
And he anon granted their asking,  
For two months fully by the assent,  
Of all the lords of his parliament.  
Whereof they made full relation.  
¶ The enbassadours to Agamenon,  
And to their lodging after forth they went.  
¶ But how that he unto Achilles sent,  
The mean while his messengers wise,  
So as I can I shall anon devise.   

AGamenon as Guydo list indite,  
His lords sent Achilles to visit,  
For certain causes like as ye shall here.  
Which in the story be rehearsed here.  
And with Vlixes and worthy Diomedes,  
¶ Duke Nestor went plainly as I read,  
To fine only by their counselling,  
Into his heart that they might bring,  
And endure him to have a fantasy,  
To be willing thorough his chivalry,  
With them to stand as he hath do toforne.  
That have so many of Troy men ylorne.  
For lack only of his high presence.  
¶ And Achilles with dign reverence,  
received them and with right knightly cheer  
And after that when they were set yfeare,  
Like their degree anon in adventure,  
¶ While Vlixes full of eloquence,  
'Gan his tale prudently devise.  
¶ To Achilles saying in this wise.  
¶ Sir Achilles moste renowned of glory,  
Throughout the world to be in memory.  
And of his knighthood very showers and well  
Displease it not now that I shall tell,  
To your noble famous excellence,  
Nor to your ears let be none offence,  
That I shall say but of goodlyhead,  
patiently that ye will take heed,  
To my words said of heart and thought,  
I you ensure for I fain nought.  
This to say if ye remember well.  
The first cause and purpose every dell,  
Of the greeks if ye have mention,  
Was fully set by one intention,  
As well of you as of us pardy.  
When we come first to this city.  
Kings princes I except none.  
Of which in sooth to reckon everichone,  
Yourself was to speak in special,  
One of the first and most principal.  
Assented full how Troy the Cite,  
Through our manhood destroyed should be.  
Perpetually brought unto ruin.  
But now of new I note what doth incline  
Your worthiness suddenly to vary.  
And to our purpose for to be contrary.  
¶ Consider first of you that be so sage,  
The wrongs done and the great damage,  
In greeks land of them of the town.  
Conspiring aye to our destruction.  
If ye advert wisely in your thought,  
That slain have and to an end brought,  
Full many worthy sith gone full yore,  
And of treasure that no man may restore.  
Despoiled us and brought in great distress.  
Our goods reached our gold & our richesse▪  
Our ships brent through their cruelty.  
And to all this alas ye list not see.  
Now that they be which may not be delayed  
Through your manhood finally outtrayed,  
Sith ye have slain their hope their suffisance  
¶ Hector in whom was all their affiance.  
Fully their trust and diffence also.  
¶ And Deyphobus also is a go,  
And likely are more to be apeyred,  
From day to day and finally despaired.  
So frowardly fortune on them loureth.  
And now your honour & your fame flouteth,  
In his worship and your high renown,  
Attained hath the exaltaciowne.  
And highest prick of fortunes wheel,  
It were great wrong and ye look weal.  
Of wilfulness for to be unkind.  
To her that ye so friendly to you find.  
Or to be froward while she is benign,  
By influence graciously to assign.  
Her spoukes move unto your pleasance,  
And hap to turn with plenty on your chance  
After whose help you needeth not to call.  
¶ Wherefore alas why will ye suffer pall,  
Your noble fame of very wilfulness,  
While it is highest in his worthiness,  
Your knightly prudence it should not asterte.  
Of which thing every gentle heart,  
Should have ruth and compassion.  
Wherefore we pray of discretion,  
That ye you shape this purpose to amend,  
And that ye would of heart condescend,  
With us to stand knightly in this were,  
By your manhood that is spoke of so far.  
That your renown to the world end.  
Reported be where so that men wend,  
Perpetually by freshenesse of hew,  
Day by day to increase new,  
That the triumph of this high victory,  
Be put in story and eke in memory.  
And so imprinted that forgetfulness,  
No power have by malices to oppress.  
Your fame in knighthood dark or difface,  
That shineth yet so clear in many place,  
Without Eclypsing soothly this no less.  
Which to concern ye be now reckless.  
Of wilfulness to cloud so the light,  
Of your renown the whilom shone so bright.  
Your mighty hand of manhood to withdraw.  
Consider first how greeks are yslawe,  
Tofore your tent with mortal wounds wide,  
Through out the field upon every side.  
And have disdain only for lack of ruth.  
Alas the while for a little sloth,  
To lay to hand in their mischief at all.  
That whilom were their strong mighty wall  
Their chief diffence and their champiowne  
sovereign help and protectiowne.  
For whom ye have so oft shed your blood,  
Again their foen with them when he stood,  
Full mightily their enemies to assail,  
Without whom they little may avail.  
In very sooth ne none of us eachone.  
But ye of knighthood list with us to gone,  
Again Troyans as ye were wont to do.  
And is our trust and final hope also.  
That ye shall help and our succour be.  
¶ And hereupon we pray you that ye,  
Say your advice and your full will.  
¶ And than anon the hardy fierce Achylle,  
When Vlixes concluded had his tale,  
Sith a face for anger dead and pale,  
Said even thus all openly and plain.  
Sir Vlixes if so right as ye sayne,  
And have declared in conclusion.  
That our purpose and intention,  
Was finally to burn and destroy,  
This royal city that is called Troy.  
I hold in soothe me liketh not to lie,  
That our intent was grounded on folly,  
To put us all through indiscretion,  
Of reckleshede and hasty motion,  
Of life and death in such jeopardy.  
And specially in all the chivalry,  
Of greeks land for so small a thing.  
So many prince and so many worthy king,  
That have ieoparted their body & their good,  
Yloste their life and yspent their blood,  
Which might have be full well at home in peace  
¶ And is not now the king Pallamydes,  
Yslawe also as who saith but of new,  
That was so wise, so manly, and so true,  
Of whom the life was of more price alone,  
Than the cause for which that we eachone,  
Be gathered here who so look a right.  
And of greeks many a noble knight,  
That have be slain both of the worthiest,  
The world to seek and the manliest.  
For out of every land and region,  
On greeks party and with them of the town  
Of chivalry & knighthod the sovereign flower,  
To win in arm worship and honour,  
Assembled be and come fro so far.  
Of which in sooth by duresse of this were.  
Full many one in the field is dead.  
And verily without any dread.  
There shall well more if the were last,  
From every day the numbered lasseth fast,  
Of worthy knights deed without routh,  
That I dare say and conclude of troth,  
In this rage furious and wood,  
Full likely is that all the gentle blood,  
Through out this world shall destroyed be.  
And rural folk and that were great pity.  
Shall have lordship and holy governance  
And Churls eke with sorrow & mischance,  
In every land shall lords be alone.  
When gentle men slain be eachone.  
¶ Is not Hector that was so noble a knight,  
That was this worlds very son and light  
Of manhood flower slain piteously.  
In this wert in sooth and so mighty I.  
peraventure which may not attain,  
To his noblesse if I shall not feign.  
For by what way shall we the death eschew.  
With all our might if we it pursue,  
From day to day while that we lie here.  
Therefore shortly me for to reqire,  
touching the were either for to pray.  
Is but in vain and hearken what I say.  
I will not purpose in this were or strife,  
For to ieoparte any more my life.  
For liefer I have that Palled be my name,  
Than for to be slain and have an idle fame  
For worthiness after death yblowe,  
Is but a wind and lasteth but a throw.  
For though renown and prize be blow wide  
forgetfulness layeth it oft aside.  
By length of years and oblivion,  
Through envy and false conclusion.  
The land of knighthood and of worthiness  
Of wisdom eke and of gentleness.  
Fredam, bounty, virtue and such grace,  
forgetfulness can dark and defface,  
And therewithal males and envy.  
Ysered hath the palm of chivalry.  
By false report wherefore I say for me,  
I will of wisdom such folly let be,  
And in quiet forth my life now lead.  
¶ And over this to you three I read,  
To seek peace with Trojans if ye may,  
In hasty wise without more delay.  
This my counsel platly to you all,  
Or that mischief of death upon you fall.  
It were well done that ye took heed,  
¶ Both Vlixes and thou diomed.  
¶ And Nestor eke sithen ye be wise,  
To work plainly like as I devise.  
This the sum and fine of mine intent,  
And so reporteth to him that hath you sent.  
And they anon with short conclusion,  
¶ Repeyred be to Agamenon,  
With such answer as ye have heard me seine  
It needeth not to write it new again.  
¶ And hereupon king Agamenon,  
Let make anon a convocasyon.  
Of his lords and in their presence,  
From point to point soothly in sentence.  
He hath rehearsed how that Achilles,  
Was desirous for to have a peace,  
With them of Troy and platly how that he,  
For no prayer will in no degree,  
Again Troyans' with spear nor with shield,  
In help of greeks be armed in the field.  
Wherefore the king as he that was full wise,  
Hereupon axed their devise,  
And when them thought what best for to do,  
In this matter sith it stood so.  
¶ And first of all speaketh Menelay,  
With angry cheer and said platly nay.  
To have a peace it was not his intent.  
Ne that he would thereto be of assent.  
sithen the city in conclusion,  
Stood on the prick of his destruction.   

NOw that Hector & Deiphobus were dead  
that whilom were their trust in every need,  
And their diffence but now they are ago.  
Farewell their trust and their hope also,  
Without more and all their hole pride.  
They may not now but after death abide.  
¶ And trust well without any less,  
Though it so be that this Achilles,  
Ne help us not toward our emprise,  
We thereof not dread in no manner wise,  
Without him for to have victory,  
By our manhood and our own glory,  
I am full sure thereof and certain.  
But Vlixes 'gan reply again.  
Nestor also of sudden motion,  
contrary was to his opinion.  
affirming plainly that no wonder was,  
Though Menelay soothly in this case.  
Unto the peace would not assent,  
For openly they wist what he meant,  
For he was ground and root of all the were  
And cause also they come were so far,  
Out of their land he and the queen Heleyne.  
¶ And for the sake only of them twain.  
The greeks all which no man may deny.  
Their lives put in such jeopardy,  
For him and her if the ground be sought,  
For well they wist that he wrought nought,  
This Menelay what woe they endure,  
So he his wife might again recure.  
¶ And where he saith that Hector is dead.  
He hath an heir to speak of manlyhead,  
And of knighthood as it will be found,  
And called is Hector the second.  
¶ Worthy Troilus which that is his brother,  
In all this world is not such an other,  
Of worthiness for to reckon all,  
For he of Troy is the mighty wall.  
¶ And diffence now Hector is a gone,  
Ye know it well yourself everichone.  
If it so be that ye list take heed,  
Whose sharp sword sore doth us bleed,  
Every day in his furious heat,  
Amid the field when we with him meet,  
And in stead of worthy Deiphobus,  
Which in his time was wonderly famous.  
¶ His brother Paris is now found at all,  
In worthiness of knighthood perigal.  
So that of them we have none advantage.  
Unto this hour but rather great damage.  
To reckon all sith we be gone,  
This very sooth we but little won,  
But we are likely alway more to lose,  
If we contune but sith we may cheese.  
It were wholesome to live in quiet.  
To have a peace and this were let,  
By one assent sith ye be wise.   

ANd with that word Calchas 'gan to rise,  
The Trojan traitor with a pale cheer,  
For very Ire and said as ye shall here.  
¶ A worthy princes what think ye to done,  
To change so like as doth the moon.  
Your old purpose and your first intent,  
Again the will and commandment,  
Of the godder that every thing govern,  
By purveyance who so can discern.  
Alas alss why ne will ye at the lest.  
Credence and faith give to their hest.  
Which in no wise may not be fallible.  
For in soothe it were an impossible.  
Utterly but Troy the city,  
Of ordinance and necessity,  
Might be destroyed hence but alyte.  
If your sloth be it not to wite,  
So that victory worship and honour,  
And final palm eke of this labour,  
To be reported on water and on land,  
Reserved be holy to your hand.  
In your purpose if ye forth contune.  
And hinder not of folly your fortune.  
This in sooth I dare it well conclude.  
And perilous is the gods to yllude.  
Of negligence or sloth wilfully.  
Wherefore I read that now manfully,  
Of heart and thought and of full unity.  
Platly devoyding ambyguyte,  
To set upon and knightly to resume,  
Your force again fully to consume,  
Your cruel foen and let be shut without,  
Wanhope and dread despair & every doubt,  
Casting of apparel sloth and cowardice.  
And let manhood utterly despise,  
All dread of death that causeth hearts faint.  
With cowardice and to be attaint.  
That finally as gods have be height,  
Through prescience of their eternal might,  
To victory that ye shall attain,  
Like your desire there is no more to say.  
¶ And when Calchas in conclusion,  
This false traitor unto Troy town,  
The greeks had through his words fair,  
touching the were put out of despair.  
Of heart all one they cast them to fulfil,  
holy his counsel though so that Achylle,  
Be froward aye to help them in their need,  
They gave no force nor took of it no heed,  
But everichone they them ready make,  
As ye shall here the field in haste to take,   

THe truce passed of the months twain,  
Into the field Grekis 'gan them ordain,  
And they of Troy again them issue out,  
¶ And worthy Troilus with an huge rout,  
The Greeks 'gan alderfirste assail.  
And with his sword he made for to rail,  
The red blood through their harness bright.  
That as the death they fled fro his sight.  
For he that day through his cruelty,  
Cast him platly avenged for to be,  
Upon the death of Hector utterly.  
¶ And as Dares writeth specially.  
A M. knights this Trojan champion,  
That day hath slain riding up and down.  
¶ As mine author Guydo list indite,  
Save after him I can no ferther write.  
In his book he giveth him such a name,  
That by his manhood and his knightly fame  
The greeks all were driven unto flight,  
By all that day till it drew to night.  
¶ And on the morrow in the dawning,  
The greeks have at Phoebus uprising.  
Yarmed them with great diligence,  
Again Troyans to standen at diffence.  
amongs whom that day as I read,  
¶ So well him bare worthy diomed,  
That many Trojan through his cruelty,  
¶ Hath lost his life. till Troilus 'gan to see,  
This diomed in the field riding,  
To whom anon without more letting,  
With his spear thrown into the rest,  
This Troilus road & smote him on the breast  
So mightily that of very need,  
Down of his horse he smote this diomed.  
Albe of wound he though had no damage.  
And furiously Troilus in his rage,  
Of high envy 'gan him to abraid,  
When he was down the love of fair Creseide.  
Of his deceit and false Treachery,  
And greeks then fast 'gan them high,  
Among the horse in mischief which he lay,  
To draw him out in all the haste that they may,  
And on a shield brosed and afraid,  
They bore him home so he was dismayed,  
Of the stroke home unto his tent.  
¶ And Menelay the same while hath hent,  
A mighty spear t'avenge this diomed,  
And towards Troilus fast 'gan him speed,  
Fully advised to him unhorsed anon.  
But Troilus first made his stead gone,  
So swift a course towards Menelay,  
That he anon at the earth lay.  
So mightily ye it him with his spear.  
That shield nor plate might his body were,  
That he ne had there a mortal wound.  
But his knights anon as they him found,  
Out of the press when they had him rend,  
They bore him home to his own tent.  
The greeks aye standing in distress,  
Through the knighthood and the high prowess,  
Of this Troilus which so hath them belaine  
On every part where he road on the plain.  
¶ Till unto time that Agamenowne,  
Into the field is a vailed down.  
With many worthy about his banner,  
That shone full sheen again the son clear.  
And with his knights him riding environ,  
He sore enchased them of Troy town,  
Woundeth & slayeth and put them to the flight,  
Himself acquyting like a manly knight.  
But for all that without more abode,  
Among Troyans fiercely as he road,  
¶ This worthy king great Agamenowne.  
Troilus with a spear hath smitten down,  
Maugre his greeks there gameth no succour,  
And when they saw their lord & governor  
In such mischief at the ground lyende,  
They hent him up and made him to ascend  
Through their manhood on his strong stead  
And he of wit 'gan to taken heed.  
And considered wisely in his thought,  
In what disjoint Troilus had them brought  
And how his greeks for all their great pride,  
Tofore his sword might not abide,  
He prudently of high discretion,  
¶ This noble knight this king Agomenon,  
As he that had aye his advertence,  
On governance through his providence,  
When he saw his greeks 'gan to fail,  
And wax feeble to standen in battle,  
For lack of stuff that should them recomfort  
Full prudently he made them to resort,  
everich of them to his own tent.  
¶ And after that he hath to Priam sent,  
For a truce to Troy the city,  
For two months if it might be,  
And by his counsel Pryamus the king,  
Without abode granted his asking.  
Albe that some as Guydo list indite,  
Were evil apaid so long to respite,  
Their mortal foen in any manner wise.  
But yet his grant as ye have hard devise,  
Stood in his strength fully as I read,  
¶ In which time of very womanhood,  
Creseyde list no longer for to tarry,  
Though her father were thereto contrary,  
For to visit and to have a sight,  
¶ Of diomed that was become her knight  
¶ Which had of Troilus late caught a wound  
And in his tent when she hath him found,  
benignly upon his beds side,  
She set her down in the self tide,  
And platly cast in her own thought,  
¶ touching Troilus that it was for nought,  
To live in hope of any more recure,  
And thought she would for nothing be unsure  
Of purveyance nor without store,  
She gave anon without any more,  
holy her heart unto this diomed.  
Lo what pity is in womanhood.  
What mercy eke and benign ruth,  
That newly can all her old truth,  
Of nature let slip and over slide.  
Rather than they listen so abide,  
Any man in mischief for their sake,  
The change is not so ready for to make.  
In Lumbardstrete of crown nor doket,  
All poised is good be so the print be set.  
Their letter of change doth no man abide,  
So that the wind be ready and the tide.  
Passage is aye who so list to pace,  
No man is lost that list seek for grace.  
Danger is none but counterfeit disdain,  
The sea is calm and from these rocks plain  
For merciless never man ne died,  
That sought for grace record of her Creseide  
Which finally hath given all her heart,  
To diomed in release of his smart.  
And prayed him to be right glad and light,  
And calleth him her own man & her knight.  
And him behighted rather than he die,  
In every thing how she would obey,  
That were honest him to do pleasance.  
For liefer she had change and variance,  
Were found in her than lack of pity,  
As sitting is to all Femynyte,  
Of nature not to be vengeable,  
For faith nor oath but rather merciable,  
Of man's life standing in distress.  
¶ Hereof no more for now I will me dress,  
To tell forth in my translation,  
seriously how Agamenon,  
During the truce and the time of peace,  
Himself went unto Achilles,  
beseeching him some regard to have,  
Of his knighthood Greeks for to save.  
And his presence no more to withdraw,  
To suffer them so mortally to be slawe,  
Of their enemies Pompous and Elate.  
¶ But Achilles always indurate,  
Ilyche new both in heart and thought,  
From his purpose platly changeth nought,  
Fully inclined for to have a peace.  
¶ But for as much as this Achilles,  
Of entyernesse and high affection,  
So loving was unto Agamenon.  
He unto him granted at the lest,  
A great parcel touching his request.  
This to say that this Achilles.  
Granteth to him his Myrmydones.  
Full knightly men only in his absence,  
With the greeks to maken resistance,  
In the field again them of the town.  
For which grant king Agamenowne,  
And duke Nestor thanked him of heart,  
But he alway containing in his smart,  
For the love of fair Pollycene,  
Ne knew no gain to his wound sgrene,  
But despaired languysheth ever in one.  
And when the truce passed were and gone,  
Upon a day the morrow full benign,  
Achilles his knights did assign,  
The field to take with Agamenon,  
And as the story maketh mention,  
He gave to them bands fresh of read,  
That men may know by their manlyhead,  
With whom they were withhold in special▪  
And like a man deadly and mortal,  
Within his tent this Achilles abode,  
When they from him into the field road,  
Only for dole they shoulden from him twin.  
In his absence a were to begin.  
Maugre his will again them of the town.  
¶ But forth they went with Agamenowe,  
Upon Trojans stern and full of pride.  
And with them met on the other side,  
The manly knights of the Trojan blood.  
Which were on them so furious and wood,  
That cruelly the greeks they oppress.  
So that a back for fear they 'gan them dress.  
They were on them so inly fell and keen.  
¶ Till that the mighty Duke of Athene,  
Entered in the greeks to defend.  
But upon him unwarely or he wend.  
Came mighty Troilus like a wood Lyown  
And from his stead anon he bore him down  
And after that he put him so in press,  
Till he hath met with these Myrmydones,  
And of them slew that day full many one.  
And so far in Troilus is gone,  
That he greeks put utterly to flight.  
Through his knighthood till it drew to night  
& fro his sword no ransom might them borrow  
And Guydo write that on the next morrow,  
Full mortal was the slaught on other side.  
Amid the field as they together ride,  
Of manly knights that wonder was to seen  
¶ And as they fought the king Phylymene,  
With help only of polydamas,  
Taken hath the worthy king Thoas.  
And 'gan him lead toward Troy the town  
But Myrmydones him to help came down  
Wonder proudly and after 'gan to sew,  
And through their might Thoas they rescue  
And him deliver for they were so strong.  
¶ But Troilus then hurtled them among,  
furiously full like a champion,  
Now here now there cast & threw them down  
Some he slew and some he made bleed,  
Till cruelly they slew his mighty stead.  
On which he sat and yet nevertheless,  
He fought on foot against Myrmydones,  
That cast had Troilus to have take.  
¶ But Paris though 'gan them so awake,  
With his brothern that about him road,  
That in the place where as Troilus stood,  
Upon his feet but himself alone,  
Of Mirmydones they sleine have many one  
That of knighthod through their manlyhead,  
They unto him brought an other stead.  
Amid his foen and made him to ascend.  
And he full knightly 'gan himself dyffende,  
¶ Be set with greeks in the self stound,  
That never yet a better knight was found,  
They felt it well that though were his foen.  
But than his brother called Margaryton,  
So as he fought putting himself in press,  
Was slain alas among Myrmydones.  
The death of whom in a cruel ire.  
This Troilus with anger set a fire,  
Plainly purposeth t'avenge if he may.  
And with his sword began to make way.  
¶ And Paris aye fast by him riding,  
With his brethren upon him awaiting,  
Which all yfeare were so merciless,  
¶ And I find these Myrmydones,  
That of force and necessity,  
They were compelled plainly for to flee,  
Troilus was on them so furious.  
So vengeable eke and so dispyteous.  
That he them gave many mortal wound,  
And yet in sooth that day they were found,  
Noble knights and quit them wonder weal  
For they the craft knew everydeal,  
Longing to arms of them as I read.  
But for all that he made their sides bleed,  
Through the mail and their plates sheen,  
That they ne might plainly him sustain,  
The sword of Troilus them chase overall,  
Albe they kept them close as any wall.  
Hole together and went not a sunder.  
But Troilus ay them chaseth here & yonder  
And severed them maugre all their might.  
Till into field with many worthy knight,  
Came Menelay and king Agamenon,  
Vlyxes eke and cruel Thelamon.  
And diomed which of his wounds green  
Recured was as saith mine author clean.  
And on Troyans suddenly they fall,  
With their wards and their knights all.  
And though began the fight to renew,  
On every half that with bloody hew,  
The plates bright were of new ysteyned.  
And they of Troy so manly have them pained,  
Again there foen in this mighty strife,  
That many greek was bereft his life.  
And where they were most mighty in battle  
Troilus came in and 'gan them to assail,  
On every part with many bloody wound.  
And by his knighthod 'gan them to confound,  
That aye they fled so they were a feared.  
The mortal strokes of his sharp sword,  
Their deadly foe and destruction.  
And this continueth till king Thelamon,  
By his manhood when that he beheld,  
The greeks made recure again the field.  
And 'gan Troyans assail wonder sore,  
And though began the slaughter more and more,  
On each side. till Troilus new again,  
The greeks hath so fiercely overlay,  
Myrmydones and them everichone,  
Afore his sword that he made them gone.  
To their tents and the field forsake.  
And with his hand that day he hath take,  
An hundred knights that came in his weigh.  
Through his prowess & sent them into troye  
And ever in one 'gan so to enchase,  
¶ Myrmydones that they lost their place.  
¶ And to Achilles lying in his tent,  
They be repaired forwounded and to rend.  
Their herneys broke both in plate and mail  
And of their number I find that they fail,  
An hundred knights slain dead alas.  
That after were found in Taas.  
Amid the field through girt with many wound.  
¶ Of Troilus sword Hector the second.  
Whereof Achilles when he had a sight,  
So heavy was all the next night,  
In his bed wallowing to and fro,  
devoid of sleep for constraint of his woe,  
At his heart his wound was so keen,  
What for his men and fair Polycene.  
witting well if he did his pain,  
To be venged he should not attain,  
In no wise unto his desire.  
And thus he brent in a double fire,  
Of love and ire that made him sigh sore.  
But for cause love was the more,  
He was afeard again them of the town,  
In his person to do offenciowne,  
¶ lest Pryamus and Hecuba the queen,  
Offended were and namely Polycene,  
And thus he stood in a double were,  
That at his heart sat him wonder near,  
With many wonder divers fantasy,  
As have lovers that be in point to die.  
Right even so fareth this woeful man,  
For very woe that no read ne can.  
So entryked that wend for to die,  
Of his recure he knew no better weigh.  
And while he lay this in his throws wite,  
Like as Guydo plainly list indite,  
That the story maketh mention.  
That days seven they of Troy town,  
So increase and augment of the sorrow,  
With the greeks metten on every morrow.  
That through the force of alder both their might  
On other part, was slain many a knight.  
¶ And all this while lay this Achilles,  
Of greeks death ylyke reckeles.  
For love only and took no manner heed,  
Who so were hole or mortally doth bleed.  
Or who that plaineth with his woundis large  
Him thought it was no parcel of his charge.  
So moche he hath on other thing to think.  
That oft he waketh when he should wink▪  
Thoughtful aye and ymagynatyfe,  
And very weary of his own life.  
¶ Till on a day king Agamenon,  
saying the death and destruction,  
On greeks half withouten remedy,  
To Troy sent by enbassadrye,  
For a truce certain days space.  
But he might thereof have no grace,  
Longer time platly to endure.  
Then for leisure of the sepulture,  
Of worthy knights that were dead aforne.  
In the field on other party lost.  
Which in the Taas full busyly they sought,  
And after this plainly how they wrought,  
During the siege with great violence,  
I shall descriven with your patience.    

¶ How Achilles slew the worthy Troilus unknightly, & after trailed his body through the field tied to his horse. Cap. xxxi.  

THe cruel force and mortal ire,  
Of martyrs might always set a fire,  
With new envy gone of old hatred.  
brenning in hearts hold as any gleed,  
atwix greeks and them of Troy city.  
Which likely is not staunched for to be,  
Till death consume with mortal dart,  
Full many worthy upon other part.  
To execute alas by final fate,  
On either part the envious deadly hate,  
Which they ne might by destyne remewe.  
For it was set, it needily must ensue.  
And Atropos will suffer it none other,  
That mistress is & guider of the rother,  
Of deaths ship. till all goth unto wreck,  
And fortune 'gan turn her face abake,  
Of high disdain fro Troy the city,  
As in this story shortly ye shall see.  
For when the truce that they had tale,  
Were were out they 'gan them ready make,  
The proud greeks and into field they gone  
Upon a morrow when Phoebus' bright shone  
Armed full sheen everich at his devise.  
¶ And Menelay hath first met with Paris,  
That day in story as I read.  
And each of them smytte other of his stead.  
At which time Dan polydamas,  
¶ Too Vlixes road a stern pace,  
And each at other of cruel enmity,  
With stiff sword 'gan together flee.  
That neither was of manhood for to wite,  
And with a spear squared for to bite.  
¶ The mighty Duke called Meneste,  
Road line right that all might it see,  
To Antenor the Trojan full of pride.  
And from his saddle cast him down aside.  
In his fury and his hateful tene,  
And though in haste come king Phylomene,  
Only in help of them of the town,  
And 'gan assail king Agamenowne,  
Through his knighthood and his hardiness  
That he him had brought in great distress,  
To utter mischief and confusion,  
¶ Ne had be only that king Thelamon,  
Full proudly came him for to rescue.  
And after sore 'gan for to pursue,  
With a spear upon Phelomene,  
And for his horse he laid him on the green,  
Maugre his force the story telleth thus.  
For he to him was mortally irous.  
And after that young Archylogus,  
A mortal course ran unto Brumius,  
One of the sons of Pryamus the king,  
young and deliver and best in liking.  
But he him smytte with so great a might,  
That he fell dead this fresh lusty knight,  
The death of whom when they of Troy espy,  
They made a shout and piteously 'gan cry,  
Of woeful ruth and his death complain.  
Till the noise 'gan utterly attain,  
To Troilus ears platly where he road.  
And he no longer after that abode,  
But to the place felly 'gan approach,  
And with his sword for to set a brooch,  
Without ruth the greeks hateful blood,  
And merciless all that him withstood,  
He slew that day by cruel adventure.  
That greek was none that which might endure  
Tofore his sword he 'gan them so oppress.  
For of knighthood and of high prowess,  
He had them put utterly to flight,  
Ne had been the manhood and the might,  
¶ Of Myrmydones which all that long day,  
By one assent upon Troilus lay.  
Whereof he was full melancolyus.  
And of courage and manhood most famous,  
He ne list no longer for to let,  
But all at once upon them he set,  
And furiously 'gan among them ride,  
And some he smote even through the side,  
Through the body and some through the heart.  
And with his sword through doublet & the shirt  
Through shield & plate, and through haberion  
He perccd hath and like a wood lion,  
He slew that day of them many one.  
That maugre them they fled everich.  
With the greeks everich to his tent.  
¶ And they of Troy after them he went.  
Swiftly on horse till they have them take.  
And such a slaught of greeks there they make,  
That finally there was a bet reskuse,  
But only death so passingly confuse,  
The greeks were at mischief desolate,  
Troilus so narrow brought them to chekmate  
That they could tho no better remedy,  
But hideously for to wail and cry,  
To death forwounded with a grisly cheer.  
¶ That Achilles when he 'gan first to here,  
The dreadful noise and the woeful sown,  
That caused was by reflectiowne,  
Of air again who so could it know,  
In rochies hard and in kavernes low,  
Like as it were one word spoke of two,  
That men are wont to callen an Echo.  
So confuse was the lamentaciowne,  
On greeks side of which the deadly sown,  
So piteously to Achilles is run,  
Of them that lay again the hot son,  
With mortal wounds yielding up the breath,  
With roumble & swowhe resowning into death  
Such a noise greeks maden there.  
And what it meant Achilles did inquire.  
And what the cause was of their clamour,  
And they him told for lack of succour,  
The greeks were each in his tentorye,  
¶ Of Troilus slain. so that the victory,  
Goth finally with them of Troy town,  
For evermore in conclusion,  
So many greek slain lay in his tent,  
Gaping upward with his blood yspent,  
Through the constraint of his wound smart  
¶ And while Achilles 'gan their case advert  
Full suddenly there came to him a man,  
The which his tale even thus began.  
Alas quoth he how may ye thus sustain,  
To see your men hereupon the green,  
Afore your face slain and lie dead.  
And list not once for to take heed,  
But stand still pensive in your tent.  
Upon the point yourself to be shent.  
In hasty hour if ye here abide.  
For thirty thousand knights here beside,  
Ready armed in plates and in mail,  
Cast them plainly you for to assail,  
This no doubt unarmed as ye stand.  
But ye of knighthood manly take on hand,  
Them to resist in this self place,  
And like a man to meeten in the face.  
¶ For which anon in a cruel mode,  
This Achilles like as he were wood,  
Hath armed him foaming as a boar,  
Farewell his love he set of it no store.  
Of hasty heat his ire was so keen.  
¶ That he forgot fair Pollycene,  
And her beauty that whilom made him smart.  
And in a rage up anon he start,  
And took his stead as any Lion wroth,  
Again Troyans and into field he goth.  
Like a wolf that is with hunger gnaw,  
Right so 'gan he again his foen to draw.  
And where he road without excepciowne,  
He woundeth slayeth killeth and beareth down  
Now here now there in a little throw,  
That they of Troy 'gan his sword to know  
Which was infect of new with their blood  
For there was none as yet that him withstood,  
So mortally he 'gan about him lain,  
The dead bodies enlonge the plain,  
¶ Till casually Troilus 'gan espy,  
This Achilles as he cast an eye,  
And 'gan his horse with all his might & pain  
¶ But Achilles of him was ware also,  
Smette his stead and made him for to go,  
Toward Troilus in the self tide,  
And with full course as they together ride,  
Full line right their spears sharp whet,  
With such a might they have together met  
Of high disdain there is no more to say  
That to the ground they fell both tway●●  
¶ But Achilles caught hath such a wound  
In his body deep and so profound,  
That long he lay mine author saith certain,  
Or he to health restored was again.  
¶ And Troilus eke through plates mail & all  
As write Guydo had a wound small.  
Which unto him did no greunaunce.  
And thus that day by continuance,  
And days six suing by and by,  
The proud greeks met cruelly,  
Amid the field them of Troy town.  
To great damage and confusion,  
Of other party plainly this no nay.  
For many worthy slain was day by day.  
In their rancour and hearty hoot envy,  
Albe Guydo doth not specify,  
None of their names plainly in this book,  
As ye shall find if ye list to look.   

ANd all this while for this sudden thing  
pensive & tryste was Pryamus the king  
That Achilles turned hath so clean,  
His lust away from young Pollycene.  
And for this change so sudden and so new  
Thought his behests were not all true.  
¶ But on deceit and on doubleness.  
On fraud falsely and new fangelnesse.  
On sleighty treason an uncovert guile,  
Or rage of love that lasteth but a while.  
Was utterly found in his behest.  
For like as a wind that no man may areste  
Faceth a word discordant fro the deed,  
Of which a wise man take shall no heed.  
But let pass as he were reckless.  
For albeit that this Achilles,  
Was whilom caught within loves snare,  
Him list not now once for to spare,  
Of high rancour his lady to offend.  
It was not like as they of Troy wend.  
Hecuba neither yet Pollycene,  
And in an anger and 'gan her to abreyde,  
That she her trust so entirely hath laid.  
On Achilles that can so falsely mean.  
Wherefore full tryste was this Pollycene.  
That was inclined with her eyen clear,  
By the counsel of her mother dear,  
¶ Too have be wedded to Achilles.  
To fine only there should have be a peace,  
Atwene greeks and them of Troy town,  
But all was false inconclusyowne.  
¶ In the fine was the truth yseen,  
For when Achilles of his wounds green,  
Was fully cured by a certain day,  
He 'gan compass in all that ever he may,  
And imagine in his envious heart,  
To be venged of his wounds smart.  
Upon Troilus thot stack aye in his mind.  
At advantage if he might him find.  
To him he bore so passingly hatred,  
In his heart brenning as the gleed.  
Which day nor night may in no degree,  
Fully be quaint till he avenged be,  
The hoot rancour 'gan so on him gnaw.  
Auysed platly that he shall beslawe,  
Of his hands when so that it be fall.  
And on a day to him he 'gan call,  
Myrmydones his knights everichone,  
Upon a morrow when the greeks gone,  
Tofore the town in steel armed bright,  
Again Troyans of purpose for to fight.  
And they were come proudly into field,  
In opposite with many rich shield.  
Newly depaint with colours fresh & fine,  
Upon which full bright 'gan to shine,  
Fiery Titan gold tressed in his sphere,  
At his uprist with his beams clear.  
When this fell envious Achilles,  
To his knights called Myrmydones,  
¶ Upon Troilus 'gan him to complain.  
beseeching them for to do their pain,  
Again this Troilus in the field that day.  
To catch him at mischief if they may.  
And busyly to do their diligence,  
On him to have their full advertence,  
By one assent where that he ride.  
All other thing for to set aside.  
And of nought else for to take heed.  
safe finally again him to proceed,  
If so they might catch him in a trap.  
Within themself troilus for to clap.  
To enclose and set him round abovie.  
In all wise that he go not out,  
And when he were beset among them all,  
Not to siea him what ever that be fall.  
But through their might manly him conserve  
Till he himself come and make him starve.  
With his sword he and none other wight.  
¶ Lo here a manhood for to praise a right.  
Vengeance of death of rancour and of pride,  
Compassed treason knighthood laid aside.  
Worthiness by false envy yslawe,  
falsehood a loft truth a back ydrawe.  
Alas in arms that it should befall.  
Of treachery there the bitter gall,  
Should in this world in any knight be found  
That be to troth of their order bound.  
¶ Alas alas for now this Achilles,  
Conspired hath with his Myrmydones.  
The death of one and that the worthiest wight,  
That ever was and eke the best knight.  
Alas for woe my heart I feel dead,  
For his sake this story when I read.  
But when fortune hath a thing ordained,  
Though it be ever wailed and complained,  
There is no gain nor no remedy,  
Though men on it galen aye and cry,  
I can no more touching this matter,  
But write forth like as ye shall here.  
How Myrmydones have their lord behyght,  
With all their power and their full might,  
To fulfil his commandment.  
And into field with greeks they be went.  
¶ But Troilus first in the opposite,  
Without abode manly them to meet,  
He was ybrent with so fervent heat,  
Of hardiness and of high courage.  
Of worthiness and of vasselage.  
That him ne list no longer to abide,  
But with his folk in began to ride,  
Among greeks this folk of high renown  
And with his sword he woundeth & beareth down  
Sleeth and killeth upon every haive,  
So mortally that there may no salve,  
Their sores sound for there was but death,  
Where so he road and yielding up the breath,  
So furiously he 'gan them to enchase.  
And made them lose in a little space,  
Their land eachone and afore him flee.  
In Troilus sword there was such cruelty.  
That maugre them he the field hath won  
The same time when the bright son,  
high in the south at midday mark shone.  
Even at the hour when it drew to noon.  
When Myrmydones gathered all in one,  
In compass wise round about him gone.  
And furiously of one entenciowne,  
They made a circle about him environ.  
When they him saw of help desolate,  
But he of heart not disconsolate.  
Upon no side through his manlyhead,  
Like a Lion took of them no heed.  
But through his famous knightly excellence,  
He as a Tiger standeth at diffence.  
And manfully 'gan them to encumber,  
And 'gan to less and dyscrease their number,  
And some he maimeth & woundeth to the death,  
And some he made to yelden up the breath.  
And some he laid to the earth low,  
And some he made for to overthrow,  
With his sword of their blood all wit.  
At great mischief under his horse feet.  
Upon his stead sturdy as a wall.  
This worthy knight this man most mercial  
playeth his play among Myrmydones,  
Himself god wots alone all helpless.  
¶ But tho alas what might his force avail  
When three thousand knights him assail.  
On every part both in length and breed,  
And cowardly first they slew his stead.  
With their spears sharp & so square yground.  
For which alas he stante now on the ground.  
Without reskuse refute or succour,  
That was that day of chivalry the flower.  
But well away they have him so beset,  
That from his head they smote his bassenet.  
And broke his harueys as they him assail,  
And sever of steel the mighty strong mail.  
He was disarmed both neck and also head,  
Alas the while & no wight took none heed.  
Of all his knights longing to the town.  
And yet always this Trojan champion,  
In knightly wise naked as he was,  
¶ Him self defendeth. till Achilles alas,  
Came riding in furious and wood,  
And when he saw how that Troilus stood,  
Of long fighting awhaped and a mate,  
And from his folks alone disconsolate,  
Sole by him at mischief piteously,  
This Achilles wonder cruelly,  
Behind unwarely or that he took heed,  
With his sword smiteth of his head.  
And cast it forth of cruel cursed heart,  
And thought sure it should him not asterte.  
To show his malice this wolf unmercyable  
Full unknightly to be more vengeable.  
Upon the body that dead lay and cold,  
Alas that ever it should of knight be told,  
Write or rehearsed to do so foul a deed,  
Or in a book alas that men shall read,  
Of any knight a story so horrible.  
Unto the ears passingly audible.  
For this Achilles of cruelty alas,  
The dead corpse took out of the taas,  
And vengeably bond it as I find,  
At the tail of his horse behind.  
And hatefully that every wight beheld,  
Drew it himself endlong the field.  
Through the renges and the wards all.  
But Oh alas that ever it should fall.  
A knight to be in heart so cruel.  
Or of hatred so spiteful and so fell,  
To draw a man after he were dead.   

OH thou Homer for shame be now red,  
And the amaze that holdest thyself so wise,  
On Achilles to set such great a prise.  
In thy books for his chivalry.  
Above eachone that dost him magnify.  
That was so sleighty and so full of fraud,  
Why givest thou him so high a praise & laud.  
¶ Certys Homer for all thy excellence,  
Of rhetoric and sugared eloquence,  
Thy lusty songs and thy dities sweet,  
Thy honey mouth that doth with sugar fleet,  
Yet in one thing thou greatly art to blame.,  
Causeless to give him such a name,  
With title such of triumph and glory,  
So passyngely to put in memory,  
In thy books to say and write so,  
that he through knighthod slain hath Hector's two.  
First him that was like unto none other,  
¶ And sithꝭ Troilus that was his own brother  
If thou art moved of affection,  
Which that thou hast to Greeks nation,  
To praise him so for thou caused indite.  
Thou shouldest aye for any favour write,  
The truth plainly and be indifferent,  
And say the sooth clearly of intent.  
¶ For when he slew Hector in the field,  
He was afore disarmed of his shield.  
And busy eke in spoiling of a king.  
For if he had beware of his coming.  
He had him quit through his chivalry.  
His false deceit and his treachery,  
That he ne had so lightly from him gone.  
¶ Also Troilus naked and alone,  
Amid three thousand closed and yshet,  
¶ When Achilles hath his head of smet,  
At his back of full cruel heart.  
When he nothing his treason did advert.  
¶ Was that a deed of a manly knight.  
To slay a man forweryed in the fight,  
Faint of travail all the long day,  
Among so many standing at a bay,  
A kings son and so high borne,  
Naked the head his armure all to torn.  
Even at the death on the self point,  
At great mischief and plainly out of joint,  
Of his life standing on the wreck.  
¶ When Achilles came falsely at the bake,  
Assailing him when he was half dead,  
And like a coward smote of then his head.  
That was tofore hurt and wounded sore.  
¶ Wherefore Homer ne praise him not therefore  
Let not his press thy royal book difface,  
But in all haste his renown outrace.  
For here his name when I here it neven,  
verily up to the third heaven,  
As seemeth me infect is the air.  
The sown thereof so foul is and unfair.  
For if that he had used advertence,  
Other the eye of his providence,  
Unto knighthood or his worthiness.  
Other to manhood or to gentilesse,  
Or to the renown of his own name,  
Or to the report of his knightly fame,  
In any wise to have taken heed,  
He had never done so foul a deed,  
So vengeably for to have ydrawe,  
A kings son after he was slawe.  
And namely him that was so good a knight.  
Which in his time who so look aright,  
Passed Achilles I dare it well express.  
Both of manhood and of gentleness.  
But for all that he is now dead alas.  
¶ The death of whom when polydamas,  
And Paris eke first 'gan espy,  
They fared in sooth as they woulden die.  
And specially with face dead and fade,  
¶ Paris alas such inly sorrow made,  
For the constraint of his deadly woe,  
When he saw well that Troilus was ago,  
And that he shall in life him never see.  
Such sorrow also the Trojan Dan Enee,  
For him hath made and many other more,  
That all at ones they together go,  
The dead corpse to recure if they may.  
¶ But greeks were so fell on them that day,  
That all their haste was utterly in vain.  
In any wise the corpse to get again.  
Till that Menon the noble worthy king,  
Which loved Troilus over all thing,  
Caught such ruth of affection,  
That he in haste fearser than a Lion,  
On his death cast him to be wreak.  
And first for Ire thus he 'gan to speak.  
To Achilles for all his high treasowne,  
Oh thou Tratoure, Oh thou Scorpyowne,  
Oh thou Serpent full of Treachery,  
Which in dishonour of all chivalry,  
Through false engine hast this day yslawe,  
The only best that here had no fellow,  
When he was whilom in this world alive.  
Alas alas who may aright descrive,  
Thy venom hid thy malice and untruth.  
Without pity or any knightly ruth.  
To draw a knight so gentle and so good,  
A kings son of so worthy blood,  
Through out the field at thy horse tale behind,  
That ever after it shallbe in mind,  
This cruel deed and ungentylnesse.  
¶ And with that word Menon 'gan him dress,  
Toward Achilles without more areste,  
And with a spear smet him in the breast,  
enviously of so great hatred,  
That he uneath kept him on his stead,  
And Menon after pulled out a sword,  
And cast him manly to meet him in the beard,  
And road to him fully devoid of dread,  
And such a wound he gave him on the head,  
That maugre him in many man's sight,  
To the earth he made him to alight.  
For all his pride in a mortal trance.  
And of that wound he felt such grievance,  
That at the death he lay an huge while,  
In a swoon the space of half a mile,  
Till Myrmydones assembled into one,  
With great labour and hent him up anon.  
Full deadly pale so he 'gan to bleed,  
But for all that they set him on his stead,  
And at the last his heart he caught again,  
And smet his horse of hate and high disdain,  
And toward Menon fast 'gan him high.  
But when that he his coming 'gan espy,  
Full like a knight list not to abide,  
But hit his horse sharply in the side,  
And met Achilles proudly on the plain,  
And with their sword they together lain,  
And 'gan to hurtle on horse back though yfere,  
With heart envious and despitous cheer.  
¶ But king Menon was at advantage,  
Of Achilles for all his wood rage,  
In point to abrought him to confusion,  
Till that the wards of new be comen down.  
On other part both of these and yonder,  
Which suddenly severed them asunder.  
And as the story telleth plainly than,  
Began the slaughter of many manly man.  
For neither party the field ne would leave,  
Of very pride till it drew to eve.  
That Phoebus 'gan assuage of his heat,  
And 'gan to bathe in the waves wet,  
His bright beams of the occian.  
That fro the field home goth every man,  
To their lodging and after seven days,  
They fought yfere & made no more delays.  
¶ Full mortal by cruel adventure,  
While Achilles full busy was to cure,  
His wounds green and his sores sound.  
And then he had a new treason found,  
To be venged upon king Menon,  
For all his wit he set thereupon.  
And so this cruel envious Achilles,  
Ycharged hath his Myrmydones,  
Worthy Menon among them to embrace.  
If they him found of opportune in place.  
With all their might and their busy thought,  
From their hands that he escape nought.  
Till he himself avenged on him be.  
¶ And so befell as they Menon see,  
The next morrow like a manly knight,  
Again the Greeks armed for to fight,  
On Troy side as he was wont to do,  
Of adventure that day it fell so,  
That Achilles and this Menon met,  
And each of them 'gan on other set,  
On horse back with full great emiye.  
When as so long in their melancholy,  
Mine author writ they together fight,  
That each made other of force to alight.  
¶ And when Menon stood upon the ground▪  
Myrmydones went about him round,  
As they were charged of the fierce Achylle,  
When he alas without god's will,  
dissevered was from his knights all.  
And at mischief they upon him fall,  
Destitute alone and helpless,  
And in such point slew him Achilles.  
But in the story like as it is found,  
This Menon first gave him such a wound,  
Tofore his death in all this fell strife,  
That he dyspeyred was as of his life,  
This Achilles for all his false treason.  
Take heed Homer and deemeth in thy reason,  
The false fraud and the sleighty guile,  
The treason cast afore with many wile,  
Of Achilles and judge now a right,  
If ever he slew any worthy knight.  
But if it were by preodycyon.  
Record I take of the king Menon.  
So that the title of his laud alas,  
Entriked is with fraud and with fallace.  
¶ That thou Homer mayst with no colour,  
Though thou paint with gold & with asoure,  
In thy writing his venom not enclose,  
But as the thorn hid under the rose,  
Whose malice aye dareth by the root,  
Though the flower above fair and soot,  
That men the fraud under may not see,  
Of his treason ye get no more of me.   

But I will tell how Greeks do that day,  
How Meneste and king Menelay,  
diomed and Thelamonyus,  
On Trojans were passing despitous.  
For cruelly with their wards all,  
In their mischief be upon them fall,  
And made them flee home unto the town,  
For whilom Troilus chief champion,  
Is dead alas and hath them now forsake.  
Of whom they have the dead body take,  
The same day with great difficult,  
And dolefully they into the city,  
Have though it brought crying oft alas,  
And for his death such a woe there was,  
That I trow there is no man alive,  
Which could aright half deal descrive,  
Their piteous woe nor lamentacyowne,  
Certeyse not Boys that hath such renown  
With dreary words to be weep and cry,  
¶ In complaining to philosophy,  
Through his book accusing aye fortune,  
That seld or nought can in one contune.  
She is so full of transmutaciowne.  
Oh stace of Thebes make no boast nor sown  
Of drearinesss for to write at all,  
Nother of death nor festes' funeral,  
Of making sorrow nor adversity,  
¶ Let be thy weeping ohs thou Niobe,  
¶ Ye sister also of Ayeliager,  
That custom have for to flee so far.  
Fro year to year your brother to complain.  
And thou that weptest out thine eyen twain  
Oedippus king of Thebes the city,  
Thou woeful Myrrah and Calyxtone.  
That so well can in rage you bemene.  
And Dydo eke whilom of Cartage queen.  
Let be your dole and your contrition.  
¶ And Phyllys eke for thy Dymophon.  
¶ And eke Cecho that new dost begin,  
To cry and wail. and also thou Corynne,  
That whilom were in so great affray,  
For death only of thy Popyngay.  
As in his book telleth us Ovid.  
Let all this woe now be laid aside,  
And make of it no comparisowne,  
Unto the woe that was in Troy town.  
For death only of this worthy knight,  
For love of whom every manner wight,  
High and low old and young of age,  
Are fall of new into such a rage,  
That they ne could of their woe none end.  
Whose salt tears will their eyen shende.  
So piteous was the lamentaciowne,  
In every street throughout all the town,  
Alas who could all their sorrows tell.  
¶ I trow certeys Pluto deep in hell.  
For all his torment and his pains keen,  
Nouther she Proserpyna his queen,  
Nother the weary wood Tycius,  
Iryon nor hungry Tantalus,  
Ne could not well for all their bitter pain,  
So furiously weepen and complain,  
As do trojans Troilus for thy sake.  
For who can now such a sorrow make,  
¶ Or who can weep as king Pryamus.  
Who weepeth now with face full piteous,  
Or sorrow maketh. but Hecuba the queen,  
¶ Who weepeth now but fair Pollycene,  
Who weepeth now but Paris and Heleyne,  
Who can now weep into tears rain,  
As Troyans do with deadly swelled cheer.  
It needed them no weepers for to higher.  
They had enough of their own store.  
Alas for now they be for evermore,  
Of help all sole of comfort destitute.  
For who shall now be to them refute.  
¶ Now that Hector and also Deyphobus,  
And Troilus eke that was so virtuous,  
Be dead alas who shall their succour be.  
Or help sustain the were of there city,  
There is no more in conclusion,  
But after death fully destruction.  
Of their towers and their walls strong,  
In this matter what should I plain long.  
It 'vaileth not always so to morn,  
Wherefore I will now again return,  
To my matter and tell forth how the king,  
To greeks hath without more tarrying,  
For a truce and a peace send.  
A certain time by great advisement.  
Which granted was of Agamenowne,  
And they again repaired to the town,    

¶ How Paris slew Achilles, and Archylogus Duke Nestor's son, in the Temple of Apollo. Cap. xxxii.  

King Pryamus did his busy cure,  
For to make a rich sepulture,  
For Troilus corpse full noble and royal.  
As saith Guydo of stones and metal,  
And him enclosed of great affection,  
¶ And nigh beside was the king Menon.  
solemnly buried and laid in grave.  
And after that day by day they have,  
Like the custom of feast funeral,  
And other rights ceremonial,  
For them both with dew observance,  
service done aye by continuance,  
In their temple like as was the guise.  
Which were to long me for to devise.  
And tedyus eke to you for to dwell.  
But I purpose seriously to tell.  
How Hecuba as I can indite,  
Her cast fully Achilles to requite,  
His tyranny soothly if she may.  
And unto her she calleth on a day,  
Alexsaunder in full secret wise,  
And unto him as I shall you devise,  
With weeping eyen and full heavy cheer,  
Said even thus as ye shall after here.  
¶ Paris quod she alas save god's will,  
Thou knowest well how the fierce Achylle,  
My sons hath slain well nigh everichone,  
There is none left but thyself alone.  
He hath me made alas there is no gain,  
Full cowardly of children now barren.  
Both of Hector and Troilus eke thereto.  
Which were to me in every trouble and woe,  
Fully comfort pleasance and solace.  
Wherefore I cast plainly to compass,  
By some engine his death to ordain.  
And like as he by treason did his pain,  
Traitorously with his sword to smite,  
Right so I think with treason him to quite.  
As sitting is of right and equity.  
And sith thou wottest platly how that he,  
Hath set his heart and his love clean,  
Upon my daughter young Polycene,  
To fine only to have her unto wife.  
For which I cast to him send blyve,  
For to come and treat of that matter.  
¶ In the temple of Apollo here.  
In the temple most chief of this city.  
At which time my will is that thou be,  
Thyself armed there full privily.  
With certain knights in thy company,  
Armed also again the same day.  
That in no wise he ne scape may,  
From your hands but that he be dead.  
As I have said and therefore take good heed  
Unto this thing with all my heart I pray.  
From point to point my bidding to obey.  
And he assenteth with all his hole heart,  
Behoting her that he should not asterte,  
And with him took twenty and no more,  
Of manly men that right well durst do.  
And in the temple by full good advise,  
¶ They were yhid by bidding of Paris.  
While Hecuba covert in her intent.  
Her messenger to Achilles hath sent,  
As ye have herd in conclusion.  
To come in haste unto Troy town.  
After the effect which was of her myssage,  
Only to treat of a marriage.  
And he in haste cometh at her sonde.  
As he that could nothing understand.  
Her treason hid nor plainly it advert.  
He was so hot marked in his heart,  
With loves bronde and his fiery gleed,  
Of life nor death that he took no heed.  
But set a side wit and all reason,  
To cast afore by good discretion,  
What was to do with looking full prudent.  
For he in sooth was with love blended,  
Into Troy when that he should gone.  
Like as it fareth of lovers everichone.  
When they have caught in heart a fantasy,  
For no peril though they shoulden die.  
They have no might nor pour to beware.  
Till they unwares be trapped in the snare,  
Their malady is aye so furious.  
¶ And thus Achilles and Anthylogus,  
Nestor's son have the way nome,  
Toward the town and be together come,  
Into temple as ye have hard me tell.  
And Paris though list no longer dwell,  
But all unwarely with his knights all,  
On Achilles is at mischief fall,  
everich of them with a sword full bright,  
And some books say it was done by night,  
When his death long afore desired,  
¶ By Hecuba and Paris was conspired.  
¶ But Achilles in this mortal case,  
Among them all naked as he was,  
Hent out a sword in the self steven,  
And like a knight he slew of them seven.  
Of very force maugre all their might.  
¶ But when Paris thereof had a sight.  
Three darts reached that were keen & square,  
And suddenly are that he was ware,  
Full secretly hid under the shade,  
Marking at him and no noise made,  
Cast at him even as ever he can,  
That head and shaft through his body ran,  
And therewithal knights not a few,  
With sharp sword 'gan upon him hew,  
And left him not till he lay at ground.  
¶ Full pale dead with many mortal wound  
And rightfully of reason as it sit,  
Thus was the fraud and the falsehood quit,  
¶ Of Achilles for his high treason.  
As death for death is skilfully guerdon,  
And equal meed without any fable,  
¶ To them that be merciless vengeable,  
For thilk day Guydo writeth thus,  
That Achilles and Anthylogus.  
¶ Of Paris were in the temple slawe.  
And afterward the body was outdrawe,  
Of Achylle fro the holy bounds,  
And cruelly thrown unto the hounds,  
To be devoured in the broad streste.  
In canell running of filthy waters wet.  
Without pity or any manner ruth,  
Lo here the end of falsehood and untruth.  
Lo here the fine of such treachery,  
Of false deceit compassed by envy,  
Lo here the knot and conclusion,  
How god aye quytteth slaughter by treason.  
Lo here the guerdon and the final meed,  
Of them that so delighten in falsehood.  
For every thing platly for to say,  
Like as it is his guerdon doth attain.  
As ye may see of this Achilles,  
Which on a night in the temple les,  
His life for he was aye customable,  
By fraud and treason for to be vengeable.  
¶ But it befell at request of Heleyne,  
That the bodies of these ilk twain,  
Conserved were from the hungry rage,  
Of best and foul greedy and ramage.  
And yet they lay amids of the city,  
Full openly that all men might them see,  
To great gladness of them of the town.  
¶ Into time that Agamenowne,  
To king Priam sent his massageres,  
To have licence to fet them home on bears  
By grant of whom they have the corpses take  
For whom greeks such a sorrow make,  
That pity was and routh for to here.  
And everich spoke thus unto his fear.  
Farewell our trust now Achilles is deed,  
Farewell our hope and holy all our speed.  
Farewell our joy and our chief diffence,  
That had in manhood so great excellence.  
Farewell alas our sovereign assurance,  
Farewell in knighthood all our suffisance.  
For now alas unlikely is that we,  
Shall ever win or gotten this Cite.  
To us alas so froward is fortune,  
But that they mighten not contune,  
Always in woe nor in pain endure,  
They caused to make a rich Sepulture.  
To Achilles of stones precious.  
¶ And an other to Anthylogus.  
What should I now any longer dwell,  
seriously the rites for to tell,  
Of their burying nor what woe they make,  
Their weeping all nor of their clothes black.  
Nor how that some louvre in their hood,  
And how some go with milk and blood,  
With doleful heart and into fire it sheet.  
And how that other casten gums sweet,  
amid the great flaumes funeral.  
Nor of the plays called pallestrall.  
Nor of the wrestling that was at the wake,  
It were but vain me to undertake,  
To tell all wherefore I will let be.  
Fully in purpose like as ye shall see,  
To resort as in conclusion,  
To tell how the great Agamenon,  
For his lords in all the haste hath sent,  
And when they were assembled in his tent,  
Full prudently this king this manly man,  
With great advise thus he his tale began.   

Sires quoth he fortune's variance,  
Her cheer froward & double countenance,  
And sudden turn of her false visage,  
Your hearts hath put in such arage,  
For the murdre to god and man odyble,  
¶ Of Achilles and the death horrible,  
By compassing of Hecuba the queen.  
Now seemeth me that it shall be seen.  
If any manhood in your hearts be.  
Or knightly force in adversity,  
For to endure by virtue of sufferance.  
Till of his death ye taken may vengeance.  
And manly quite this outrageous offence.  
When time cometh to make full recompense.  
But sith that ye be manly and prudent,  
I would first see the plain intent.  
In this matter of you that be so wise.  
And hereupon what is your advise.  
By one assent and voice in common,  
Whether ye will the were forth contune,  
And the siege ygonne upon this town,  
Till they be brought to destructiowne.  
Or into grece now resort again.  
For cause only that Achilles is slain.  
That whilom was your strong champiowne  
Your distence and chief protectiowne.  
But finally now that he is dead,  
Hereupon let see what is your reade.  
say openly and no longer tarry,  
¶ And some anon gone for to vary,  
And to grudge casting to and fro,  
Standing in doubt what were best to do.  
¶ And some said on the other side,  
For life or death they would an end abide.  
And some of them that of wit were rude,  
For their party gonnen to conclude,  
That they would eft home again return.  
And other said that they will sojourn,  
Still at the siege hap what hap may.  
And thus they treat all the long day,  
Every man like his opinion.  
Till at the last in conclusion,  
They be accorded fully into one,  
From the siege never for to gone,  
Unto the time they have of the town,  
Through their knighthood full possessyowne  
At their free will to spill or else to save.  
Albe Achilles buried was in grave.  
For the trust of every worthy knight,  
Was finally as gods have behyght,  
That they in haste shall the town possede.  
This was their hope fully devoid of dread.  
Vndispeyred in their opinion.  
¶ And then anon Ajax's Thelamon,  
A worthy knight and famous of his hand,  
Among all though that were of greeks land,  
Said even thus plainly in sentence.  
¶ Sires quoth he that here be in presence,  
My counsel is platly and my read,  
Now it standeth so that Achilles is dead,  
For his son in all the haste to send.  
Hither to come for to see an end,  
Of the siege and help us in this need.  
¶ Which now abyt with king Lycomede,  
His bysayle and named is Pirrus.  
And some him call Neptolonyus.  
Right lusty fresh and by likeliness,  
Able to attain to great worthiness,  
As by report and the fame is couth.  
If he draw him to arms in his youth.  
¶ And soothfastly but if books lie,  
As I have red and heard by prophecy,  
That finally Troy the city,  
Without him shall never won be.  
Thus books say that be of old memory.  
And how greeks shall have no victory,  
Till he come this son of Achilles.  
Wherefore in haste and be not reckeles,  
Send for him that it be done anon.  
And they commend his counsel everyone  
And to his read fully them assent,  
And by advise full prudently they sent,  
In all the haste on this embassyat,  
The wise king full famous of estate,  
I mean the prudent noble Menelay,  
And forth he goeth the self same day,  
And on his journey 'gan him fast speed.  
¶ Till that he came unto Lycomede.  
The old king as ye have hard me tell,  
Where for a time I will let him dwell,  
¶ And to Greeks in the mean while,  
So as I can derecte again my style.    

¶ How Paris and Thelamon Ajax's, slew each other in the field. Cap. xxxiii.  

THe time of year when the sheen son,  
In the Crab had his course yronne,  
To the highest of his ascension.  
Which called is the summer station.  
When the virtue out of every root,  
Is drawn up and the balm soot,  
Into the crop and the fresh flower,  
Most lusty is of hew and of colour.  
Till Phoebus' char in his dissension,  
Out of the Crab toward the Lion,  
Holdeth his course in the firmament.  
I mean when he is retrogradyent.  
And drieth up the moisture and the wet,  
Of herb and flower with his fervent heat.  
And all that veer afore him made green,  
To white he turneth with his beams sheen  
Both seed and grain by decoction,  
For naturally by digestion,  
That first was raw in fruits & in flowers,  
And watery eke by plenty of humours,  
He drieth up and ripeth at the full,  
With his fervence that men may them pull.  
Each in his kind after the season,  
From year to year by revolution.  
On their branches freshly as they spread,  
When that Cherries powbly be and read.  
¶ First in june that seweth after may,  
When the hot merry summer's day,  
No dwery is but like a giant long.  
The same time greeks stout and strong,  
With rancour brent of their envious heat,  
Have shapen them with their foen to meet,  
And bright armed into field they go,  
And they of Troy out of the town also,  
And their wards ordained everichone,  
The field have take to meeten with their foen  
And 'gan to assemble upon other side.  
¶ But Thelamon of folly and of pride,  
The same day of him as I read,  
As he that had of his death no dread,  
Disarmed was for battle of arrest.  
Of mail and plate bore upon his breast,  
For of folly and surquedons outrage,  
Bore his head and bare of his visage.  
And bore also without bassenet,  
And naked eke of vizor and palet.  
He road all day of nothing tho afeard,  
Having no weapon but a naked sword,  
For wilfully he left at home his shield,  
And his spear when he took the field.  
Full like a knight sitting on his stead,  
¶ And after him followeth diomed.  
Like Mars himself about him his main,  
And fast by came the duke of Meneste,  
King Vlixes and Agamenon.   

ANd Pryamus with them of Troy town,  
Took eke the field with a full heavy cheer,  
For he was both fearful and in were,  
In great despair and inly full of dread,  
To issue out sith Hector now was deed.  
¶ Worthy Troilus and also Deyphobus,  
For in himself he deemed plainly thus,  
That he was feebled greatly of his might,  
After their death with greeks for to fight.  
But out he goth hap what hap may,  
And Paris eke full knightly of array,  
¶ King Phylomene and polydamas,  
¶ Worthy Esdre and with them Aeneas.  
By one assent there is no more to say.  
The same day knightly to live or die,  
In their diffence and utterly ieoparte,  
As gods list the field that day depart.  
And proudly first the grekis they 'gan pierce,  
And Paris though with them that were of Perce,  
Fell in a side with the son sheen.  
And his archers with arrows square & keen  
The greeks 'gan a sondre to dissever,  
For in the field they might not persenere,  
Only for shot of the strong archers.  
Of Perce land and the arbalesters.  
Which made them i'll right of very need.  
¶ Into time that proud diomed,  
When he of greeks saw this sudden flight  
Them to relieve like a manly knight,  
Is come upon felly in his tene,  
¶ And first of all he set on Phylomene.  
A worthy king that came on Troy side,  
The which again 'gan at him to ride,  
That diomed hath but little won.  
With sword stiff as they together run,  
That to behold it was a noble sight,  
How each of them quite him like a knight,  
As they together ran on horse back.  
That no man could in neither see no lack.  
But ever in one Trojans were so fell,  
Upon greeks that they ne might dwell,  
To keep their land so they made them bleed,  
maugre the force of this diomed.  
The slaughter was so hideous and so strong.  
That through the field the woeful noise rung  
And mortal cry of wounded folk that lay.  
Slain on the soil endlong the way.  
¶ Till Meneste sitting on his stead,  
The worthy duke 'gan to take heed,  
In what mischief greeks were beset,  
And hent anon a spear sharp ywhet,  
Smytting his horse felly in the side,  
And through to renges knightly he 'gan ride  
And stint not so furious he was.  
¶ Till that he met with polydamas,  
A Trojan knight and a manly man,  
And unwarely at him as he ran,  
He hit him so in many man's fight,  
To the earth that he made him to a light.  
And with a sword at ground when he lay,  
He had him slain the self same day,  
In his rage and his cruel tene,  
Ne had be that king Phylomene,  
Had him rescued in this adventure.  
Which so friendly for him died his cure,  
Maugre the might of this Menestee,  
From his hands that he went free.  
All for hathed and be sprained with blood.  
And all this while Ajax's proudly road,  
Of surquedy and of wilfulness,  
Of folly rage and foul hardiness,  
Naked his body head and everydeal,  
Amid his foen armed bright in steel.  
And of Trojans such a slaughter made,  
That they lay dead both in son and shade  
Throughout the field where this Thelamon  
Among them road woodder then lion.  
That Trojan none might him tho withstand  
While that he held his bloody sword in hand  
That wonder was naked as he road,  
Without wound that he so long abode.  
¶ And as Guydo maketh rehearsal,  
And writeth eke for a great marvel,  
That he unslain might so long contune.  
But when a thing is shapen of fortune,  
It might be fall what ever thing it be,  
In weal or woe joy or adversity.  
When one shall die or when he shall escape.  
But she alas can alder first by jape,  
And bring a man unwarely to mischance,  
When he best weeneth to have assurance,  
In this lady of transmutation.  
Like as it fell of worthy Thelamon,  
This same day which of folly pride,  
Among his foen 'gan so far to ride,  
Ylyche fresh right as he began,  
¶ And slew of Perce many a manly man.  
And of himself took no manner heed,  
His knightly heart so was devoid of dread,  
Till Paris saw his great hardiness,  
And how that he his knight did oppress,  
Enchasing them so mortally and narrow,  
Without abode anon he took an arrow,  
Extoxycat sharp and venomous,  
And in this Ire fell and despyteous,  
And shot at him in the self tide,  
As saith Guydo and smyt him through the side  
That of that hurt there is no more to say,  
He felt well that he must die.  
¶ And when he saw none other remedy,  
For he road surprised with envy,  
throughout the press his sword aye in his hand  
Into time that he Paris fond.  
¶ And unto him with a pale cheer,  
He spoke and said anon as ye shall here.  
¶ Paris quod he as this mortal wound,  
Of thine arrow sharp and square yground  
Hath finally my life put in despair,  
Never into Grece to have repair.  
Right so shall I by short conclusion,  
Away shape that into Troy town,  
With thy life thou entre shalt no more.  
At my heart the venom bit so sore,  
That other gain is there none but death.  
¶ But yet tofore or I yield up the breath,  
Trust me right well there may be no succour  
That thou ne shalt be predecessor,  
And go afore deep down into hell.  
There with Pluto eternally to dwell.  
So as of right it is necessary,  
Thy time is set which thou mayest not tarry.  
And here my troth for mortgage of thy corpse  
That in all hast I shall make divorce,  
atwix the and the queen Heleyne.  
And twin a sunder eke the false chain,  
Which linked was by colour of wedlock.  
And hath so long be shut under lock.  
Only by fraud and false engine also.  
¶ But now the knot shallbe broke a two.  
With my right hand the troth to darayne,  
For through the cause only of you twain,  
In this were many worthy knight,  
His life hath lost and many an other wight  
On other side for your both sake.  
But of all this I shall an end make.  
Of your love and foul adultery.  
¶ For finally Paris thou shalt die,  
Of my hands as it is thy chance.  
And with the word his sword he 'gan enhance  
Above his head and smote him in the face,  
That he fell dead in the self place.  
For his head he hath parted on twain.  
And right forthwith there is no more to sane  
¶ Ajax's alas of his mortal wound,  
Fell dead also grufling unto the ground.  
Full piteously and then they of Troy,  
Have Paris take up out of the weigh,  
And bore him home into their city.  
¶ But diomed and duke Menestee,  
With many greek riding environ,  
Sewed the chase even to the town.  
But for cause Titan 'gan to low,  
Down by the ark of his days bow,  
For into west under the rows red,  
And Hesperus 'gan his light to shed.  
This to say or it drew to night,  
The Greeks be repaired home aright,  
everich of them to his lodging place.  
To take their rest all that nights space.  
¶ Save as I read that Agamenowne,  
The greeks made fast by the town,  
To set their tents and pavilions.  
Of very pride fast by the wall,  
Habitacles and new mansions.  
And they of Troy despaired over all,  
No refute could Greeks for to let.  
But of assent fast their gates shut.  
And all the night on the walls wake,  
And over this such a woe they make,  
Through the city that Paris was so dead,  
For finally now they can no read,  
But weep and cry and sorrow ever in one.   

Now all the sons of Priamus were gone.  
Fortune alas hath them so appaired,  
That of their life they be now despaired,  
Of all hope and of good welfare.  
Perpetually for to live in care.  
Unto the death and that was fast buy.  
For now there is no manner remedy,  
Upon no side nor refute none at all,  
But them to keep close within the wall,  
That for to see it was a piteous thing.  
¶ And such a woe maketh now the king,  
¶ For Paris death that for deadly smart,  
Him thought platly that his woeful heart,  
Recureless would braced and rive a twain.  
And into tears he 'gan distill and rain,  
As he would tho for very sorrow die.  
¶ And of the queen alas what shall I say,  
¶ Hecuba his own mother dear,  
That crieth & weepeth with a woeful cheer.  
¶ Of Pollycene that was so woe begone,  
And of his sistren also everichone,  
That have their heir & their clothes torn,  
As if they had their own death ysworne,  
For dreary woe and for piteous pain.  
¶ But for by all the fair queen Heleyne,  
Waileth crieth with a deadly cheer,  
That her eyen which whilom were so clear,  
Forderked were with doleful tears smart.  
And to the corpse suddenly she start,  
And clipped it in her arms twain.  
And piteously embrace it and restrain,  
Like as she would with him die anon.  
For still she lay dumb as any stone,  
As marble cold her limbs craumpishing,  
Ready at all toward her burying.  
Till men by force from the corpse her hent.  
And she her heir and her cheeks rent.  
As though she had be fallen in a rage.  
That changed was alas in her visage,  
Her native colour and her rody hew,  
Whilom as fresh as any rose new.  
Now is she like unto ashes cold,  
And with her hands aye together fold,  
Herself she smote on her pale face.  
And ever among the corpse she did embrace,  
In her swownes as she fell to ground,  
Twenty times and wept full his wound.  
With woe she was awhaped and amate,  
Of all comfort alas disconsolate.  
In heart being inly desirous,  
Through her rage passing furious,  
To die at once with her own knight.  
For toward death enclosed was her sight.  
As she that list to live now no more.  
¶ And as I trow that never man before,  
No woman saw fall in such distress.  
In such disjoint of deadly heaviness.  
Nor for no woe so piteously yrave,  
Not Cleopatra going to her grave.  
Nor woeful Tesbe that fro the kave start,  
When she herself smote unto the heart.  
¶ Nor the faithful true Orestylle,  
When that she saw her lord again her will,  
¶ Marcus Prolancus unto ship gone,  
And for his love fell down dead anon.  
¶ Nor the sorrow of true julia,  
¶ Nor the fervence of faithful Porcia,  
Of which the one fell dead suddenly,  
For she saw blood spent so cruelly,  
On her lords dreadful gardment.  
¶ And Portia so true in her intent,  
When that her lord Brutus lost his life,  
For because she might have no knife,  
With rolies red slew herself alas.  
Was not also in the self case,  
¶ Arthemysya queen of Tarse land.  
Of Mausalus the grave when she foude,  
Her own knight of whose bones small,  
Full woefully and with a cheer pale,  
She powder made & drank it every morrow  
¶ But all the woe and the furious sorrow,  
Of these eachone yet may not attain,  
¶ Unto the sorrow of the queen Heleyne.  
That finally will herself fordo.  
For Paris sake whom she loved so.  
For after him she will not live a day.  
But be awreke plainly if she may,  
Upon her life rather than dissever.  
And thus in woe aye she doth persevere,  
In her heart Paris sat so deep.  
¶ Alas who saith that women can not weep  
Yes doubtless they have it of nature.  
Though it so be that they no woe endure.  
Yet can they feign and salt tears find,  
Plenty enough of thryr own kind,  
And sorowles morn and complain.  
¶ I say not this for the queen Heleyne,  
That was with woe wounded to the heart.  
That fro the death she wend not start,  
For deaths dart her heart made rive,  
And yet she rose again fro death to live,  
Only by grace for all her fell rage,  
For every woe by process must assuage.  
And over gone and wasted by miracle,  
For each venom made is some treacle,  
And every woe hath his remedy.  
¶ For though Heleyne as though fain would die,  
Her kind ne would assent yet thereto.  
So suddenly to slay herself for wo.  
She was a woman no man should her wite,  
Me list no more of her woe indite.  
Lest unto you that it were tedious,  
To hearen all her pains furious,  
Her cruel woe and lamentation,  
Which would move to compassion,  
In very sooth to write everydeal,  
Any heart though it were made of steel.  
¶ For king Priam and the queen also,  
Had such ruth of her piteous woe,  
To see her weep and furiously complain,  
That they of her felt as much pain,  
¶ As they did almost for him Paris.  
¶ Hereof no more for Priam by devise,  
After this rage and this mortal woe,  
Amid the Temple sacred to juno,  
Ordained hath with full busy cure,  
For the corpse a rich sepulture.  
And in all haste therein made it shut.  
That in soothness if I should not let,  
To tell all the rites and the guise,  
That there were made in their paynim wise,  
And the costs of his burying,  
It should be all to long a tarrying,  
seriously thereon to abide.  
Wherefore as now I let overslyde,  
Their paynim rites superstitious.    

¶ How Pantisilia queen of Amazonis coming in aid of the Troyans', was slain by Pyrrhus Achilles son. Ca xxxiiii.  

ANd tell I will how king Priamus,  
Commanded hath of mischief & of need,  
Through Troy town only of very dread,  
To shit their gates strongly as they may.  
And thereupon both by night and day,  
To keep watch for shortly they of Troy,  
disconsolate of all their old joy,  
Can no refute but weep and sorrow make.  
For they ne durst no more undertake,  
Again Greeks into field to gone.  
¶ Till on a day king Agamenon,  
His messenger by good advisement,  
To Pryamus into Troy hath sent,  
requiring him of manhood like a knight,  
To issue out with Greeks for to fight.  
As he was wont with his chivalry.  
¶ But king Priam his axinge 'gan deny.  
And shortly said to him that was sent,  
That he ne would at his assignment,  
Not once pass the gates of the town.  
But at his own free electiowne,  
When ever him list without compelling.  
¶ And yet in sooth cause of his tarrying,  
¶ Was for the hardy queen of Femynye,  
Toward Troy that fast 'gan her high.  
Out of her land and little region,  
The which as books make mention,  
After the scyte of the firmament,  
Is in the plague of the Orient.  
¶ And called is the reign of Amazonis.  
Of which the custom and the use is,  
That only women therein shall abide.  
And they were wont armed for to ride.  
And have in arms great experience.  
For their labour and their diligence,  
Is finally to have exercise,  
From day to day in Martes high service.  
¶ And overmore their custom and usance,  
As to this day is made remembrance,  
Is that no man shall them nigh near,  
But if it be three months in the year.  
¶ This to say in june Apryll and may.  
And then the women have in custom aye,  
Unto an isle a little there beside,  
Where as the men by themself abide,  
From year to year together everichone,  
Unto the men out of their land to gone.  
And there abide in that region,  
Till time cometh of conception.  
Without tarrying any longer while.  
For then anon home unto their isle,  
They be repaired out of that country.  
Unto time that they delivered be.  
And as fast as the child is borne,  
For lack of keeping that it be not lost,  
He fostered is till three years be agone,  
Among the women and then right anon.  
To the isle beside adjacent,  
Unto the men the child in haste is sent.  
If that it be of kind masculine,  
And if it fall that it be femynyne,  
With the women abide still it shall.  
Till that it be in acts mercial,  
Full well expert and that she can eke know,  
A spear to haddle or to draw a bow.  
Like the statutes of that region.  
The which as books make mention,  
Is set between Ewrope and Asya.  
¶ And of this land was Pantasilia,  
Whilom lady and chief governess.  
Full renowned of strength and hardiness.  
through out the world both in length & breed,  
And yet in sooth to speak of womanhood,  
For all her might she had an huge prise.  
For both she was virtuous and wise.  
Wonder discrete and had an honest name,  
notwithstanding the excellence of fame,  
Of her renown in arms and in glory.  
For of conquest and of high victory,  
She was most surmounting out of dread,  
Of any woman that I can of read.  
And soothly yet books bear witness,  
Of womanhood and of gentleness,  
She kept her so that nothing her asterte,  
¶ The which loved with all her hole heart,  
Worthy Hector and with all her might,  
Only for he was so good a knight.  
All her joy and worldly pleasance,  
Her hearty ease and sovereign suffisance,  
In very sooth where she wake or wink,  
Was ever in one upon him to think.  
Of very faith without any sloth,  
And unto him she was by bond of truth,  
Confederate of old affectiowne.  
That when she heard how that Troy town  
Besieged was of the Greeks fell,  
This hardy queen list no longer dwell,  
But hasteth her as fast as ever she may,  
Toward Troy infull good array,  
With all the worthy women of her land.  
Full well expert and proved of her hand.  
Well horsed eke and armed richly,  
And as I find in her company,  
A thousand maidens riding by her side,  
This worthy queen that durst well abide,  
She with her brought in steel armed bright.  
For love of Hector her own true knight,  
And on her way fast she 'gan her speed,  
To help him if she see cause of need.  
For in nothing she could her more delight.  
Than toward him her faithfully to quite.  
For that was all her lust and hearts joy,  
¶ But when that she come was to Troy,  
And hath hard tell as by relacyowne.  
That he was dead most worthy of renown,  
To whom she was so loving and so true,  
Anon she 'gan to change cheer and hew,  
And piteously 'gan to weep and cry,  
And fared in sooth as she would die.  
For very woe and heartily heaviness.  
And thought she would through her wortthynesse,  
Avenge his death platly if she may.  
On the Greeks and so upon a day,  
¶ She prayeth Priam's with great affectiowne  
For to open the gates of the town,  
And to go out with Greeks for to fight.  
That they may know and be expert aright  
Of this women the great worthiness.  
And of this queen the famous hardiness.  
And so the king hoping for the best,  
Without abode granted her request.  
The next morrow when Phebus shone full sheen  
¶ And all tofore out goth Philomene,  
The noble king which them of Pafflagonye.  
And after him other knights many,  
Followed after with worthy Aeneas.  
The Trojan eke Dan polidamas,  
And the queen Pantasilla,  
By the gate called Dardanica.  
Toward Greeks proudly issued out,  
With her women riding her about.  
The which anon when Greeks did espy,  
Into field 'gan them fast high.   

ANd first of all worthy Meneste,  
Pantasylla when that he did see,  
With his spurs made his stead gone.  
And with a spear road to her anon.  
¶ Of whom the queen atoned never a deal,  
Kaught a spear that was squared weal,  
Round the shaft and the head well ground,  
Which as they coupe smet him down to ground.  
And maugre him reaved him his stead.  
But then in haste in came diomed,  
And cruelly to the queen 'gan ride,  
And she as fast on the other side,  
Road eke to him in plates bright and sheen,  
And as they met with their spears keen,  
She hit so this fell Diomedes,  
For all his might and his manlyhead,  
That she him made his saddle for to lose.  
There is no more he might tho not cheese.  
And in despite of his men eachone,  
She hath his shield him bereft anon.  
And it delivereth proudly as she road.  
To a maid that upon her abode.  
And like a Tiger in his greediness,  
Or like in sooth to a Lioness,  
That day she fared riding up and down,  
Among the Greeks till that Thelamowne,  
'Gan to behold the slaughter that she made,  
Of high despite and rancour overlade,  
As he that might for ire not sustain,  
'Gan rain his horse to fall upon this queen.  
¶ But when that she his coming did espy,  
She fell on him in her melancholy,  
So mortally maugre his knights all,  
That to the ground she made him for to fall  
And Greeks put in so great disraye,  
Where ever she road all that ilk day,  
That they ne might afore her not sustain.  
And through the help of king Philomene,  
As mine author recordeth in his book.  
Amid the field Thelamon she took.  
And sent him forth through her high renown,  
As prisoner toward Troy town.  
¶ Till unto reskuse came he diomed,  
And cruelly on them that 'gan him lead,  
He fell unwarely with an huge rout,  
Of his knights riding him about.  
And from their hands maugre all their might  
He him delivereth like a manly knight.  
At which time the hardy queen anon,  
With her women about her everyone,  
The Greeks hath afore her on the plain,  
As writ Guydo so mortally belayne,  
That she them made of necessity,  
Out of the field with her sword to i'll.  
That verily it seemed incredible,  
And to leave a manner impossible,  
To see the women Greeks so enchase,  
Which might not there abide afore their face,  
For in the field in any wise stand.  
For they them drive to the self strand,  
Down to the cliff of the salt see.  
And slew of them so huge and great plenty,  
That finally they had all be destroyed,  
For evermore and utterly accloyed,  
¶ Ne had diomed stand though at diffence.  
And of knighthod made them resistance.  
For he that day in party and in all,  
For Greeks stood as a sturdy wall.  
And was alone their help and chief succour  
¶ But for all that with worship and honour  
Pantasilla as made is memory,  
repaired is with conquest and victory,  
With all her women into Troy town.  
Upon the hour of Phoebus going down.  
¶ And by the side of this hardy queen,  
¶ Armed in steel road king Phylomene.  
Whom Priam hath with great reverence,  
Knightly received and did his diligence,  
Them to refresh with every manner thing,  
That might be unto their liking.  
And as their hearts could best devise.  
¶ And after this in full goodly wise,  
He thanked hath the noble hardy queen,  
Of her goodness that her list to seen,  
To help him in his great need.  
And offered her in Guydo as I read,  
All that he hath treasure and richesse,  
Hoping fully through her worthiness,  
Upon Greeks avenged for to be,  
And for to keep him safe in his city,  
Maugre Greeks which of them say nay.  
¶ For as I read after day by day,  
She slinte not proudly them to assail,  
Again whose sword they might not avail,  
So mortally she made their sides bleed.  
¶ Till Menelay fro king Lycomede,  
repaired is with Neptolonyus,  
Which in his books called eke Pyrrhus.  
Whilom the son of cruel Achillles,  
Whom for to see full huge was the press,  
Of the Greeks going environ.  
¶ And for he was as by succession,  
¶ Born to be heir of this Achilles,  
He hath received of Myrmydones,  
With great honour and great solemnity.  
So glad were they their young lord to see.  
To whom eachone they made affiance,  
And were eke sworn by bond & assurance,  
For life or death to him to be true.  
And his lieges and change for no new.  
To obey his lust in all manner thing.  
¶ And after this Agamenon the king,  
Made him knight and Thelamonius,  
With a sword gyrte anon Pyrrhus.  
saying to him in the self place,  
With that baudrik when he him did embrace,  
¶ Take heed quod he mine own cousin dear  
To resemble in manhood and in cheer.  
In knighthod eke and in worthiness,  
To thy father which in soothfastness,  
In his time was so noble a knight,  
And overmore with all thy full might,  
To avenge his death that thou do thy pain  
¶ And then of greeks worthy Dukes twain.  
Full humbly began down to kneel,  
And set a sporre upon either heel,  
As was the manner of gold bourned bright.  
And in this while Pyrrhus is made knight.  
As ye have herd in full high presence,  
With great honour and due reverence,  
Like the custom of the Greeks lays.  
And the rites used in though days.  
And then anon hath king Agamenon,  
With full glad cheer and great affection,  
delivered him fully by sentence,  
The arms hole without difference,  
Which Achilles by his life bare,  
His worthy father on his shoulders square.  
As for next heir of line by discente,  
And all his treasure also and his Tent.  
Armure and all delivered were anon.  
Unto Pyrrhus and Greeks everichone,  
Eight days suing by and by,  
Through out the host full solemnly,  
They hallow in honour of this young knight▪  
Till on a morrow when Phebus shone full bright  
Which with his light that shineth fro so far,  
Diffaced hath the streams of the star,  
Lucifer the days messagere.  
When Greeks 'gan in plates bright & clear,  
Enarmed them that day sour and sweet,  
full in purpose with their fone to mete.  
And manfully out of their tents wide,  
Against Trojans they began to ride.  
Warde after ward proudly into field.  
And Pyrrhus bore that day upon his shield,  
His father's arms like as saith Guydo,  
And of the same he had upon also,  
A cote armure that became him weal.  
And forth he road armed bright in steel.  
And casually formest as he was,  
He met first with polydamas.  
A knight of Troy a full manly man,  
¶ And furiously Pyrrhus to him ran,  
On horseback with a mighty sword,  
And 'gan to hurtle with him in the beard,  
So mightily that in this hateful strife,  
¶ polydamas had lost his life,  
Ne had been rescued without more tarrying,  
Of Phylomene the noble worthy king.  
Only of knighthod and of worthiness,  
¶ Too whom Pyrrhus hastily 'gan him dress  
With his sword and smit him in the sight,  
That from his horse he made him to alight.  
For he the stroke might not sustain.  
And soothfastly this worthy Phylomene,  
Of Pyrrhus had tale be anon,  
Save his knights assembled into one,  
Of Pafflagonye came him to rescue.  
But Pyrrhus aye so fiercely 'gan pursue,  
Upon this king with Myrmydones,  
Beset in mischief among the great press,  
That many knight of this noble king,  
yslain was at his rescuing.  
He stood of death in so straight a case.  
¶ Till of fortune came polydamas,  
To his reskuse and did his full might,  
Him to deliver and quite him like a knight.  
But in soothness there was such resistance,  
¶ Of Pyrrhus' knights standing at diffence  
That aye in mischief stood king Philomene.  
¶ Till Pantasilla of femenie the queen,  
With her women a great company,  
'Gan this thing of adventure espy,  
Which were eachone for the more delight,  
On their armure that day clad in white.  
That verily there was no lily flower,  
Nor snow that flaketh from jubyters his tower  
Of whiteness that is fresher on to seen,  
Then in field was this hardy queen.  
Which first of all among the Greeks cheese,  
Proudly to fall on Myrmydones,  
amongs them riding up and down,  
She then unhorseth through her high renown  
And slew them upon every side,  
Making their renges for to sever wide.  
Till Thelamon in a furious heat,  
With a spear unwarely did her meet,  
And in a rage smote her to the plain.  
But she anon full lively rose again,  
¶ And which her sword so marketh Thelamown  
That from his horse she made him light down  
Plat to the ground on his hands twain.  
And then her women did their busy pain,  
To make their queen her stead to recure.  
¶ And all this while stood in adventure,  
Of his life worthy Philomene,  
Pyrrhus' knights were on him so keen.  
Maugre his men that they have him take,  
It geyneth not diffence for to make.  
The Greeks have so strongly him beset.  
¶ And forth they lad him it might be no bet,  
Toward their tents throughout all the field  
The which thing when the queen beheld,  
With her women that about her road,  
pursued after without more abode,  
That finally they have so after sewed,  
Through their force that he was rescued,  
Maugre the manhood of Myrmidones.  
¶ And Pantasilla was so merciless,  
Upon the Greeks that of necessity,  
Through her force and her cruelty,  
Afore her sword they durst not abide,  
¶ But when Pyrrhus saw her great pride,  
To his knights loud he 'gan to cry,  
And said it was shame and villainy,  
For the women so to lose their land.  
And to be slain so felly of her hand.  
Wherefore eachone your hearts doth resume,  
And of assent let us now consume,  
The pride of them that none away escape,  
For but if we some remedy do shape,  
This ilk day their force to confound,  
Shameful report to us shall rebound,  
Perpetually where we sleep or wake.  
¶ And as Pyrrhus 'gan his sword to take.  
furiously and with a knightly cheer,  
This hardy queen happened for to hear,  
¶ All that Pyrrhus to his knights spoke.  
All her list not once to turn bake,  
Nor of his threat for to take heed  
For platly she had of him no dread.  
But right proudly 'gan to draw near,  
And to him said anon as ye shall hear.  
¶ Oh thou Pirrhe son of Achilles,  
That slew Hector in knighthood peerless,  
Through his trene and his treachery,  
By malice only and by false envy,  
Unware when he nothing did advert.  
The which never may out of my heart,  
So green it sticketh in my remembrance,  
Upon his death for to do vengeance,  
And it sit well as seemeth unto me,  
That his death be venged upon thee,  
first of all and on thy father's blood,  
For love of him so gentle and so good,  
The death of whom should all the world complain  
Not only men do their busy pain,  
To quite his death but women eke also,  
With all their might and help eke thereto,  
As right requireth without exception.  
There on to do full execution.  
And I now stand in the same plight,  
And for thou hast us wonnen in despite,  
Of our power shortly in sentence,  
Thou shalt in haste have experience.  
And know our force soothly everydeal,  
Right in short time trust me right weal,  
Here in this field by shedding of thy blood.  
Wherefore Pyrrhus weren 'gan as wood,  
As any Tiger bore or wood Lion,  
So fret the colour in his complexion,  
And in his Ire fell and despitous,  
He took a spear pale and furious,  
And ran at her with all his might and pain  
And againward as she that list not feign,  
Encountered him all devoid of fear.  
But Pyrrhus first broke on her his spear,  
Albe that he might her not remove.  
In her saddle nor but little grieve.  
But she again so sore 'gan him hit,  
On his stead that he may not sit.  
But descendeth endlong the plain.  
And up he rose with full great disdain,  
And took a sword in his hand anon,  
And made his stead line right to gone,  
Upon this queen of passing worthiness.  
And inwardly of hate and of woodness,  
In heart fret smet at her many stroke,  
But ever she sat still as any oak,  
And of force in her ire pale,  
Eft again she made him to avail,  
To the earth maugre all his pain.  
And thus the fight lasteth of them twain,  
A large while till Myrmydones,  
Have take their lord by force out of the press.  
And made him his horse recure again.  
¶ And in his time on the self plain,  
With his banner he descended down,  
The worthy king great Agamenowne,  
With kings dukes endlong the green.  
With their wards that wonder was to seen,  
So prudently in the field battayled,  
That hath trojans mortally assailed.  
¶ But tho in haste king Phylomene,  
As ye have heard rescued by the queen,  
When he hath thanked to her worthiness,  
With his knights in he 'gan him dress,  
¶ And Pantasilla assembled both in one,  
Upon the Greeks 'gan for to gone.  
Where men may see with spears sharp ground  
everich other bear unto the ground.  
There men may see proudly without lack,  
The manly knights run on horse back.  
¶ And the women mortally oppress,  
The fell Greeks through their hardiness.  
Only through force of the mighty queen.  
That dead they lay covering all the green.  
¶ Wherewith came in Dan polydamas,  
Fro death rescued and eke Aeneas,  
¶ King Esdras eke of Troy the city,  
¶ And though the wards 'gan together i'll,  
On either party fell and furious,  
But most of all Neptolonius,  
That Pyrrhus hight the greeks champiowne,  
Irous and wood on them of Troy town,  
Made his sword in their flesh bite.  
¶ And Pantasilla proudly her to quite,  
Ne spareth not with mortal wounds wide,  
Greeks to slay upon every side.  
Now here now there to their confusion.  
¶ And Pyrrhus then is fall on Glawcon,  
The half brother to polydamas.  
For Antenor eke his father was.  
And Pyrrhus so in a cruel ire,  
With melancholy new set a fire,  
Smote Glawcon so or that he took heed,  
Among the press that he fell down dead  
¶ And Pantasillya from her women all,  
¶ The same tide is on Pyrrhus' fall.  
And he of her when he had a sight,  
Road eke again like a manly knight,  
And as they hurtle on horse back yfere,  
Of adventure with swords stiff and clear,  
everich made other to alight,  
And hatefully on foot so they fight.  
Long or other might of other win,  
Till they were made of force for to twin,  
By the wards that went them atwene,  
I mean Pyrrhus and this hardy queen.  
¶ And all this time Dan polydamas,  
So wood for ire in his heart was,  
Amid Greeks for his brother's death,  
That whom he met for his love he slayeth.  
Without mercy in his hateful tene.  
That he alone and this worthy queen,  
Such a slaughter on the Greeks make,  
That they the field utterty forsake,  
And 'gan to i'll to their tents down.  
Till diomed and Ajax's Thelamowne,  
And Pyrrhus eke made turn again,  
But they in sooth were so overlay,  
That they ne might all that day relieve,  
And thus they fought till it drew to eve,  
To most damage of the Greeks side.  
Till Phoebus 'gan his bright chair hide,  
Low in the west and to shroud his light,  
Under curtain of the black night,  
That either part thought for the best,  
To depart and draw to their rest.  
And took their ease that night as they may.  
And all the month suing day by day,  
Without any interruption,  
They fought yfere albe no mention.  
Be made thereof nor write in special,  
Of no person but in general,  
Who that ever did evil or well,  
In Troy book I find never a deal.  
Save the queen like as writ Guydo,  
Of her women an hundred hath forego,  
That slain were thilk month day,  
The death of whom plainly if she may,  
Shall well be quit if so that fortune,  
Be favourable friendly to contune,  
That her face change not contrary.  
But she that can every day so vary,  
Alas the while and seld in one sojourn,  
'Gan fro this queen her look away to turn  
To enhaste through her ungoodlyhead,  
Attropose to break her lives thread,  
As the story plainly shall you lere,  
benignly if ye list to hear.   

THe fatal hour hard for to remove,  
Of cruel death which no man may eschew  
Nor in this life finally escape,  
Specially when Parchas have it shape,  
Approach 'gan it may none other been.  
Alas the while of this hardy queen,  
¶ Which on a day furious and wroth,  
Into the field out of Troy goth.  
And 'gan on greeks proudly for to set.  
And alderfyrst Pyrrhus with her met,  
Of mortal hate and indignaciowne.  
And she in haste by the renges down,  
Road unto him swiftly on her stead,  
Whose spurs sharp made his sides bleed,  
And as they met their spears in the rest,  
They bore so even marking at the breast,  
That their shafts soothly this no tale,  
'Gan to shiver all on pieces small,  
Without bowing other back or chine,  
For neither made other to incline.  
Save the head forged hard of steel,  
Of Pantasillia that was ground weal,  
In Pyrrhus' heart pierced hath so deep,  
That plate in sooth nor mail might him keep  
But the sharpness of his spears head,  
Was of his blood in party red.  
The which stroke when Greeks 'gan espy,  
For atoned loud 'gan to cry.  
And all at once for the noise and sown  
Upon the queen in the field came down,  
In compass wise going environ.  
But through her prowess & her high renown  
She her defendeth that it was marvel.  
But they alas so sore 'gan her assail,  
That all to hew they have her bassenet,  
Amid Greeks so thick she was beset.  
That with axes and swords square.  
Her shield in sooth made was all bare,  
And her shoulders were naked eke alas,  
The mail hewn of and the rear bras.  
¶ And Pyrrhus then like as it is found,  
For anguish only of his green wound,  
In doubt plainly where he should escape,  
Toward this queen fast 'gan him rape,  
To be avenged whatsoever fall.  
Amid the field among the Greeks all.  
¶ And when she saw that he came so fast,  
Of force only to meet him yet she cast,  
And with her sword first 'gan him assail,  
But of her stroke it happened her to fail,  
Among the press so narrow she was beset.  
¶ And Pyrrhus sword was so sharp whet,  
That suddenly of her arm he smet,  
Alas there was none armour him to let,  
But raceth through all the shoulder bone,  
So that this queen fell down dead anon.  
And of malice for to venge him more,  
At his heart the ire fret so sore,  
That with a cheer of very anger pale,  
He hath her hewn all on pieces small.  
The which was to foul a cruel deed.  
¶ But ever in one Pyrrhus 'gan so bleed,  
Nigh to the death of his mortal wound,  
For lack of blood that he fell to ground,  
In a trance full long grofling he lay,  
Till knights in all the haste they may.  
Have take him up and laid him on a shield,  
And dolefully home out of the field.  
They have him borne wounded as he was.  
¶ And the women of the queen alas,  
For very sorrow and inward deadly woe,  
When they saw their lady was ago.  
For to be dead they were so desirous,  
That in all haste wood and furious,  
In a rage without governail,  
Greeks they 'gan of new to assail.  
To avenge their queen they were so hearty kind  
That they slew soothly as I find,  
Two thousand grekis on them they were so wood  
But oh alas in great dysjoint they stood,  
Only for lack they have no governor,  
For she was gone that was their chief succour.  
Which was also to speak of hardiness,  
Of women all lady and mistress,  
As of her hand that I can of read.   

OH ye Troyans' ye stand in great dread,  
Amid the field all out of governance,  
The day is come of your unhappy chance,  
For now have ye leader none nor guide,  
Farewell your trust now on every side,  
And Greeks be upon you so strong,  
That ye the field may not keep long.  
For they cast them felly you to quite,  
This same day as Dares list indite.  
For as he writ homeward as they draw,  
Ten thousand Troyans' were of grekis slawe  
For all their wards came at once down,  
And mortally without excepciowne,  
They kill and slay all that them withstood.  
And most they were upon the women wood,  
To be avenged plainly as I read,  
On every half and their blood to shed,  
Without mercy or remyssyowne,  
chasing Trojans home into the town  
Out of the field for there mass none abode,  
So piteously tho with them it stood,  
That they ne can none other recure cast,  
But keep their town & shit their gates fast  
For all their hope clean was agone,  
Any more to fight with their fone.  
For now their trust of knighthood was away  
Their worthy men slain wellaway.  
Refute was none but in their city,  
To keep them close it may none other be.  
For them thought they might it keep long,  
Their walls were so mighty and so strong,  
If they had plenty of victual,  
Though all the world at once them assail,  
They may be sure while they keep them in,  
For evermore that no men shall them win.  
Yet nevertheless early and eke late,  
The Greeks made tofore every gate,  
Full mighty watch and await full strong  
With privy spies going in among,  
That of their foen none escape away.  
By none engine as farforth as they may.  
¶ And in this while within Troy town,  
More than I can make descriptiowne,  
For the queen there was so great a sorrow,  
Of every wight both at eve and morrow,  
That she alas was slain for her meed.  
And aldermost for they ne might have,  
The dead corpse to bury and to grave,  
With reverence and with honour dew,  
For which they 'gan to the greeks sew.  
With great prayer and with great business,  
But all in vain and in idleness,  
Was their request that Greeks were so wroth.  
And finally with many sundry oath,  
Only of malice and of hot envy,  
The dead corpse to them they deny,  
And shortly said of mortal enmity,  
That of hounds it shall devoured be,  
There was no gain their rancour to compesse.  
¶ But Pyrrhus then of very gentleness,  
Ne would assent to so foul a deed,  
But wood and wroth cruel diomed,  
Said openly how it was sitting,  
That she fail of her burying,  
That slain had so many worthy man.  
And thus the strife among the Greeks 'gan,  
With great rumour and alteraciowne.  
Till at the last under Troy town,  
Of her they have the dead corpse tale,  
And cruelly in a profound lake,  
They have her cast where I let her lie,  
And unto Troy again I will me high,  
To tell forth how they live in pine.   

OH cruel Mars that hast made for to fine,  
Through thine ire all the worthy blood,  
Of Troy alas why hast thou be so wood,  
Against them to slay their knights all.  
Why hast thou let thy bitter venom fall,  
On them alas thou star infortunate,  
With all the world to make them at debate.  
Oh hateful star hot combust and dry,  
Fyryirous ground of all envy,  
Hasty ever full of descension,  
And coleryk of thy complexion.  
In murder and death is aye thy delight,  
In taking vengeance most thin appetite,  
First mever of anger and of hate,  
Root of contek causing to debate.  
In strife and murmur most is thy desire,  
Fearful of look as any wild fire.  
And gastfull ever of thy wood sight,  
As any leaven so flawminge is thy light,  
Like in twynckling to the spakes red,  
In great fires that abroad so spread,  
Consuming aye by melancholy,  
hearts that be embraced with envy,  
Thy wrath is aye so freting and so keen,  
And causeth men to be long and leanly,  
Comsumpt sklendre brown & citren hewed,  
Vnmercyable and right evil thewed.  
Wonder sleighty and engenyous,  
Compassing and suspicious,  
Tryste and solen and full of heaviness,  
And assenting to all cursedness,  
To awaiting death and robbery,  
To murder also and to treachery,  
Without remorse of any conscience,  
So venomous is thine influence,  
And helper art unto false treason.  
The house of whom is the scorpion,  
And crowned art in the caprycorne,  
But in the Bull is thy kingdom lost.  
For therein is thy dejection,  
Thy power lost and domination.  
And hast also in thy subjection.  
Exile, were, chains and prison,  
Proscripsyon and captivity,  
That for thy malice on Troy the city,  
So would god I could chide aright,  
That hast on them kid thy fell might,  
Of thy rancour holy the utterance.  
First on them for to do vengeance,  
With spears sharp and swords keen whet,  
And now in prison to enclose them and shut.  
So vengeably that they dare not out,  
The Greeks fell aye lying them about,  
They be not hold in manner wise,  
In thy temple to do sacrafyse,  
Nother with Bulls nor with boars wild,  
Nor with beasts that ever be unmild.  
As Tiger's Bears nor the wood Lion,  
Of which thou art sovereign and patron.  
They are not hold to do the brimstone smoke  
On thine Altars which art so felly wroke,  
Of them alas and now worst of all,  
Thou hast shed out chief of all thy gall,  
Among themself to bring in treason,  
Feigned truth and simulation,  
To make hearts among themself divide,  
Lo how the serpent of discord 'gan glide.  
Full slily in till he have caught a place,  
To void away both hap and grace,  
With his venom of dyscensyon,  
When it is spread in any region,  
In any common borough town or city,  
amongs men of high or low degree.  
For when hearts in love be not one,  
Farewell fortune their grace is clean agone,  
For where discord holdeth residence,  
It is well worse than sword of pestilence.  
For what is worse of her far or near,  
Than a foe that is famylyere,  
For who may more harm if him lust,  
Then any enemy upon whom men trust,  
That to descrive shortly in a clause.  
The very root and the true cause,  
Of all mischief and confusion,  
In every land is discenstion,  
And more perilous if it be privy,  
Record I take on Troy the city.  
That found Fortune friendly aye at need,  
Till long hid hate 'gan abroad to spread,  
For prudence soothly hath provided,  
That a renge in itself divided,  
Shall recureless turn wild and waste,  
And the dwellers desolate in haste.  
For Mars that is of envy lord,  
Among themself sown hath discord,  
Again the which may no succour be,  
For worse than were soothly seemeth me.  
Treason cured under a feigned peace,  
¶ And root of all was old Anchises,  
¶ With his son called Aeneas.  
Dan Antenor and polydamas,  
That have contrived among them utterly,  
And under veil conceived secretly,  
If it fall Greeks Troy to have,  
first how they may their own lives save,  
By some engine sleights or treat,  
And if so were that it may not be,  
As they cast by no manner way,  
They would rather traitors be to Troy.  
privily so it were not spied.  
And covertly with Greeks been allied,  
Then stand hole with the town of truth,  
And wilfully of negligence and sloth,  
surance & oath of old made to the town,  
Refuse plainly in conclusion,  
And alliance let slake and slide,  
And their lygaunce set also aside.  
In their advise they thought for the best,  
For they them cast for to live at rest,  
And merrier eke for earnest and for game,  
To save their life & wandre forth in shame,  
Then wilfully die at mischief,  
To trayish their town they held it no reproof  
So they might escape themself alive,  
Them list nothing for the town to strive,  
They sought in sooth for sour or for sweet,  
A mean way to live in queet.  
And thereupon they have their way nome,  
Unto the king. and when that they were come,  
To his presence in full covert wise,  
Under colour they began devise,  
To tell their tail so that finally,  
¶ Their counsel was that Priam utterly  
In no manner be not reckless,  
To pursue to Greeks for a peace,  
If it so be that he it get may.  
And yield again to king Menelaye,  
Without strife the fresh queen Heleyne.  
And overmore that he not disdain,  
The harms done by Paris gone full yore,  
In Cithaeron justly to restore.   

But oh alas of false iniquity,  
This counsel rose for under in secret,  
The venom was as sugar under gall.  
For well they wist that the Greeks all,  
Ne would accord in conclusion,  
To have a peace with them of Troy town.  
Whiles they were to such mischief brought  
To treat thereof in sooth it was for nought.  
¶ For Pryamus then and Hecuba the queen,  
With his sons and with Pollycene,  
That yet were left with him in the town,  
Might have reigned by long successyowne,  
If that Greeks full and not repent,  
Unto a peace holy had assented.  
¶ But that counsel given was to late,  
sithen Greeks of well elder date,  
Had proffered first at Tenedowne,  
By the advise of king Agamenowne.  
A final peace shortly for to say.  
So he would restore again Heleyne,  
With amends required of reason,  
Of damages wrought at Cithaeron.  
His messengers first when that he sent,  
To Pryamus that would not assent,  
To the request justly that they brought.  
For of peace the means that they sought,  
Of very pride were to them denied,  
By wilfulness alas so they were guided,  
For lack only of wit and of prudence.  
But now they have which cost & great dispense,  
With slaughter of men & many great damage  
The sharp shouts and the cruel rage,  
Abide fully of this mortal were.  
It is full sure that they will not differre,  
The time forth to treat for a peace,  
Them list nothing to be so reckless,  
Nor unadvised what them ought to do.  
Trow ye they will so lightly go,  
Home into Grece without recompense.  
They would seem it were a negligence.  
Speak not thereof for it will not be,  
specially now Troy the city,  
In mischief stand upon his final fate.  
This remedy shape was to late,  
For greeks thought right of very trust,  
That they of Troy stood at their lust,  
Holding themself verily victors.  
And of their foen fully conquerous.  
Without doubt or ambyguyte,  
For the counsel of this ilk Enee,  
¶ Of Antenor and of this anchises,  
As ye have herd to treat for a peace.  
Ne rose in sooth but of doubleness.  
Only of treason and of high falseness,  
As Pryamus conceiveth by their cheer.  
Like in this book as ye shall after here.  
¶ For on a day when that Pryamus,  
With his son called Amphymacus,  
A counsel held with other of the town.  
This three have made a suggestyowne,  
Unto the king touching the treat.  
But he anon discrete and advise,  
Prudently or he would assent,  
'Gan undergrope plainly what they mente,  
Only of wit and discretion,  
Or he it put in execution,  
Making thereof a manner of delay.  
But proudly then standing at a bay.  
This Antenor without reverence,  
Spoke to the king in open audience,  
And shortly said with a stern cheer,  
If you list our counsel for to hear,  
And do thereafter platly thou mayst cheese,  
And but thou wilt where thou win or lose  
This is the fine thou gettest no more of me.  
Work after them that of thy counsel be.  
To whom the king wonder soberly,  
Answered again full beningenely.  
Sir Antenor ye ought you not grieve,  
For mine intent is not to reprove,  
Your wise counsel nor your prudent read.  
If it conclude to the common speed,  
Of my people and salvation.  
But wite right well justly of reason,  
Under sugar if there be cured gall,  
In prejudice of my lieges all.  
Causing them in mischief for to fine,  
I will there from utterly decline,  
As right requireth for our alder ease,  
And me seemeth this should not displease,  
To thy conceit nor do the none offence,  
For every man is holden of prudence,  
The worst to leave and the better take,  
Wisdom to sew and folly to forsake,  
And remedy to seek for his sore,  
And with that word the Trojan Antenor,  
Of sudden ire 'gan to change his blood,  
And abreyding on his feet he stood,  
And full felly said unto the king.  
¶ Now sickerly this is a wonder thing,  
How your wisdom and adviseness,  
Are blinded so of very wilfulness,  
That ye may not on no side see,  
The great mischief and adversity,  
That we are in upon every side.  
For we may not dissimule nor hide,  
In what disjoint plainly that we stand,  
Be not our foen also here at hand,  
And have beset our wall round about,  
And we for fear dare not issue out,  
Nor be so bold to undo a gate,  
With them to fight that us deadly hate,  
We be so feeble and they are so strong,  
For soothly yet they have them among,  
thirty kings worthy of renown,  
Confederate to our destruction.  
And thereupon platly will abide,  
Which vowed have in their great pride,  
Never part hence fro the town,  
Till the walls be turned up so down.  
Your worthy sons also now be dead,  
That you were wont to help in your need,  
Your manly knights slain everichone,  
That us to save remedy is none.  
It is in vain to treaty of dyffence,  
Wherefore I read of reason and prudence,  
Or we be slain and our city lose.  
Of two harms the least for to cheese.  
This to say that in our intent,  
As sitting is and expedient,  
We treat of peace and no longer feign,  
And herewythall restore again Heleyne.  
For love of whom many worthy man,  
Hath lost his life sithen the were began.  
For now Paris is under stone ygrave,  
The best read in sooth that ye may have.  
To send her home again to Menelaye.  
And to proffer as far forth as ye may,  
To restore within a little while,  
The harms done by Paris in the isle,  
Which men are wont Cythera to call.  
This is my read here afore you all.  
And with that word up rose Amphimacus,  
To this counsel full contrarious,  
And shortly said that it shall not be,  
¶ As Antenor hath rade in no degree.  
And ever thus without more respite,  
He spoke to him of very high despite.   

THou Antenor I have espied weal,  
We may trust in the never a deal.  
With us to stand in our great need,  
For troth and faith in the be now dead,  
Falsehood hath slain in the stabilnesse.  
And in stead of thy sickerness,  
We find in the soothly variance.  
Where is become the faith of thy ligeance,  
The hests made to stand with thy king.  
Where be thine oaths so double in meaning.  
Where is now hid thy old assurance.  
Where is become thy feigned false constance.  
In stead of which mutability,  
Hath take his place like as ye may see.  
With dew change thou art so remewable.  
Upon no ground thou mayst not stand stable  
Thy troth is gone of old affectiowne,  
That thou shouldest have to stand with the town,  
Of faith with us for to live or die.  
For trust and hope exiled be away,  
In thy person shortly for to write,  
That busy art the king to excite,  
In disencrease of his estate royal.  
Unto Greeks now be so thrall,  
To seek a peace as it were for dread,  
Thou shouldest rather of thy manlyhead,  
Have proffered him the City to defend,  
There on thy life at outraunce to dispend▪  
Wherefore in sooth here I the assure,  
Rather than we should this endure,  
Twenty thousand shall with spear & shield,  
Upon a day be slain in the field,  
Thy word I hold for no prophecy,  
For it proceedeth of very treachery,  
Of doubilnesse and of false treason,  
Vndermyninge with prodition.  
Though that thou outward show fair,  
The venom hid thy tail doth repair,  
Like a serpent stinging under flowers,  
Thereby to feel of such counsellors.  
¶ And in this while with words despitous  
¶ Full bitingly hath Amphymacus,  
¶ All openly Antenor reproved.  
With his counsel so he was aggrieved.  
saying the treason that he would mean,  
Till Aeneas 'gan to go between,  
With floryshed speech full of flattery,  
And 'gan his tale so to modify,  
Like as he mente troth in his intent.  
¶ But therein was double attendement,  
He spoke but one and yet he mente twain,  
¶ Amphymacus only to refrain,  
To attempre him of his melancholy,  
Only till he might a time espy,  
Like his purpose that he may proceed,  
To execute it fully up in deed.  
And when that he found had a space,  
Under pretence of a true face,  
With his tale he 'gan to break out,  
Many a Trojan standing him about.  
And shortly said for conclusion,  
touching diffence plainly of the town,  
How that hinge only in balance,  
For both hope trust and assurance,  
Of the city taken have their flight,  
For finally our manhood and our might,  
And our knighthood together be ago.  
With the Greeks more to have ado.  
And with them stoutly for to fight,  
The which hath lost many a worthy knight.   

ANd they be ready upon us to set,  
And we dare not our gatis more unshut  
We be alas surprised so with dread.  
Then seemeth me how it is great need.  
¶ By good advise for to seek a mean,  
In this matter how we shall us demean.  
¶ And for my part soothfastly I say,  
I know as now none so ready way,  
As prudently for a peace to treat.  
¶ But Pyram then in a sudden heat,  
Without abode of cheer and face pale,  
Of rancour 'gan interrupt his tale.  
For he attempre might not his heart,  
So fretingely the treason made him smart,  
¶ And for he might himself not restrain,  
Thus he said unto both twain.  
To Antenor and also to Enee,  
I wonder greatly that ye hardy be,  
In very truth for shame so to vary,  
And that ye be so rebel and contrary,  
Some only of false collusion,  
Us to bring in desperation,  
Me and my lieges if I shall not feign,  
Of false intent to catch us in a train.  
Alas how may you in your heart find,  
Again nature for to be unkind,  
That whilom were of my counsel chief,  
Of every thing or it was brought to proof,  
¶ For ye absent I could nothing fine.  
And now alas ye cast to decline,  
Away fro me barren left and sole,  
That to remember it is to great a dole.  
How any wight alas so change can,  
For who shall more trust any man,  
When ye be found double of intent.  
Can ye not think how by your assent,  
By your counsel and by your advise,  
Whilom how I sent forth Paris,  
Into Grece of full yore ago.  
¶ And Antenor thou wottest thyself also,  
How thou were first made ambassador.  
And thereupon chief consellor,  
touching the sonde made for Exeon.  
But after that cause and motion,  
Though were in sooth that Paris should go,  
Into Grece thou wottest well it is so.  
For I ne durst of presumption,  
Have sent Paris unto Cithaeron,  
Without advice and authority,  
Of Aeneas plainly and of thee,  
Upon Greeks a were to have gone.  
I trow in sooth that you never konne,  
Excuse himself and you be advised.  
For every thing wrought was and devised  
And execute by counsel of you twain.  
For when Paris went for Heleyne,  
Ground and root to speak in special,  
Were thou Enee and cause principal,  
Present also when every thing was wrought  
Out of Grece when she was hither brought.  
For this the sooth out of that region,  
She never had come to this town,  
If thou hadst he thereto contrary.  
Albe thou wouldst with thy words fair,  
Thyself excuse here in audience,  
As thou knew nought of that offence,  
But fully were unwitting of the deed.  
And now my sons everichone be dead,  
And ye me see alone destitute,  
Your counsel is as for chief refute,  
Me to pursue to Greeks for a peace,  
As I were foryetell reckless,  
To remember the infinite outrages,  
The mortal were slaughter and damages,  
The cruelty and destruction,  
That they have wrought hereupon this town  
That verily when I all record,  
For to be dead I can not accord,  
With them to treat like as ye devise,  
For I espy in many sundry wise,  
In your intent a right perilous snare,  
So covertly under falsehood dare,  
That it will be to my confusion,  
If ye achieve your entention,  
Finally as ye have it shape.  
For impossible it were to escape,  
Shamefully at mischief me to die,  
Without recure of any remedy.  
For this the fine I know it out of doubt,  
Of the treat that ye be about.  
¶ And right anon the Trojan Aeneas,  
Of ire and rancour so moved was,  
Again the king with a swelling heart,  
That suddenly out at the door he start,  
After he had for to be awroke  
Full many word again the king yspoke.  
He went his way and Antenor also.  
¶ And Pyramus of very ire and woe,  
Suddenly burst out for to weep,  
He might himself not for anguish keep,  
The anger fret upon him so sore,  
Within himself conceiving more and more  
By evidence of discretion,  
The covert guile and the false treason,  
That they for him and for his city,  
Yshapen have but he advised be,  
Dreading aye that these ilk twain,  
By some engine or conspired train,  
To the Greeks would him betrayet  
Wherefore the king cast and would say,  
Shape away their malice to withstand,  
So the treason that they took on hand,  
Only of right in deed or it were found,  
Upon themself might again rebound,  
That the full execution,  
Of their contrived conspiration,  
Resort again in full dew wise.  
Only of them that 'gan it first devise.  
Treason for treason is convenient,  
For to falsehood the guerdon pertynente,  
Is shameful death and the final meed.  
Wherefore to shape in this great need,  
¶ A remedy this old Pryamus,  
¶ Calleth his son Amphymacus.  
And pytyously alone but they twain,  
In tears drowned 'gan to him complain,  
On Antenor and on this Aeneas.  
And said son take heed on this case,  
And think how I am thy father dear,  
And how there be now no more yfere,  
Of my sons left with me alive,  
But thou alone and therefore as blyve,  
Touching the treason conspired and ysworne,  
What ever fall let us be toforne,  
Only of wisdom away for to make,  
That we may first in the trap them take  
And to purvey for them even ylyche,  
That justly they may fall in the dyche,  
Which they have made and for us ytreyned.  
And in all haste let so be ordained,  
That this matter close be kept in mewe,  
To fine only that they not eschew.  
For to be slayve of equity and right.  
In this place even toward night.  
For I purpose plainly for their sake,  
Again that hour a counsel for to make,  
And under colour make them both call.  
And thou unwarely shalt upon them fall,  
With knights sworn unto the and me,  
In this matter for to be secre.  
And right anon this Amphimacus,  
Assented is unto Pryamus,  
To accomplish in full secret wise,  
From point to point as ye have herd devise.   

But sooth is said of full yore agone,  
Of old wise the counsel is there none,  
In all this world so privily ycaste.  
Till it will out platly at the last.  
For the people which that is rural,  
Saith that secrets which be not known at all,  
The earth will as they make mind,  
Discure them of his own kind.  
And of nature up cast and disclose,  
The thing that men are wont in it to close.  
Let every man beware as it is good,  
Or his counsel go to far abroad.  
And specially lords have great need,  
Of all men they stand most in dread,  
So great await is upon them laid.  
That when it happeth that a thing be said,  
Or once spoke of a lords mouth,  
It falleth oft that it is full couth,  
And reported and ysprad full wide,  
In many cost by them that stand aside,  
Or he be ware by sudden adventure.  
For some in hap in whom he doth assure,  
Will first of all him report amiss.  
Therefore in sooth best for them is this,  
For to beware and keep their tongue.  
A purpose caste should not be rung,  
Nor spoke abroad among folks rude.  
For gladly aye the worst they conclude,  
Of every thing while that it is new,  
In report variant and untrue,  
For after reason nothing they expowne,  
But after will the folk that be of town,  
Like the purpose which they desire.  
For they fair as a wisp of fire,  
When it brenneth brightest in his blaze.  
Suddenly it wasteth as a wase,  
On such folk platly is no trust,  
That fire and water hold in their fist,  
Being with both ilk indifferent.  
Now hot now cold like as their intent  
Of new changeth so in their courage,  
After the calm followeth sudden rage,  
To day they love and to morrow hate,  
To trust a common lasteth by no date,  
Let not a lord make them to secre.  
For now the counsel is run to Enee,  
That Priam wend had be full close,  
For the rumour and the wind arose,  
By false report is so far yblowe,  
That Aeneas and Antenor well know,  
End and ginning and every manner thing,  
And the hole counsel of Pryamus the king  
¶ And both two full of one intent,  
With other eke that were of their assent,  
Conspired be and together sworn.  
And covertly cast a way aforne,  
That finally Troy the city,  
By their engine shall destroyed be.  
And of accord cast plainly thus,  
If it hap that king Pryamus,  
Send for them shortly to conclude,  
They would come with such a multitude,  
Of armed men if they see need,  
That of him they should nothing dread.  
For Aeneas was in that city,  
Of great power and authority,  
Both of blood and kindred allied,  
And for his gold greatly magnified,  
Through the city most in special,  
That he in might and power perigal,  
As saith Guydo was unto the king.  
And Antenor almost in every thing▪  
Was unto him equal of power,  
And both twain of one heart entire,  
Conspired have in sooth again the town,  
Finally to this conclusion,  
That they of Greeks might have surety,  
With their treasure to go at lybertee,  
With their allies borne of Troy town.  
When all were brought to destructyowne,  
With life and good safe without more.  
At which time for Dan Antenor,  
And Aeneas Pryamus hath sent,  
To accomplish the fine of his intent.  
¶ And they in haste with so great a rout,  
Came of knights stuffed him about,  
That thereof was atoned Pryamus.  
¶ And made send for Amphimacus,  
Commanding him to change his purpose.  
For well he wysse his counsel was not close  
And by signs 'gan well understand,  
That the matter which they had in hand,  
Discured was to his confusion.  
Both the murder and conspyration.  
Apparceyving in his inward sight,  
The great power of this Trojan knight.  
And the favour of this Aeneas,  
And of the common how he fostered was.  
The which proudly in open audience,  
Tofore the king declareth his sentence,  
Fully concluding maugre who saith nay.  
How that there was none other mean way  
Refute nor gain nor other remedy.  
¶ But only peace who so it deny.  
Other escaping plainly was there none.  
And thereupon the commons everichone,  
With one voice 'gan call and cry,  
And his counsel 'gan greatly magnify.  
Albe the king was thereto all contrary.  
But Aeneas list no longer tarry,  
Nor differ the fine of his purpose.  
But wonder Irous from his see he rose.  
And full ungodly spoke unto the king,  
And shortly said without more tarrying.  
Where so befall thou be lief or loath,  
Or with his purpose pleased other wroth,  
Thou mayst well trust it shall none other be.  
For finally hearken this of me.  
Maugre thy will and also all the might,  
This same day or it be night,  
For a peace with greeks we shall treat.  
¶ And when the king saw the fervent heat  
Both of the common and of Aeneas.  
He 'gan anon dissimule in this case.  
For of prudence he 'gan to see,  
For that time it may none other be.  
Wherefore sith he might it not amend,  
He wisely 'gan for to condescend,  
To the purpose platly of Enee.  
And said he would goodly take at gree,  
And except what them list ordain.  
And so the king learned to feign,  
Again the conceit platly of his heart.  
For otherwise he could not asterte,  
Coacte of force and of violence.  
And when he saw in his advertence,  
That he might divert on no side,  
From the fraud that sown was so wide,  
Without grudging he falsely gave assent.  
That Antenor should forth be sent,  
By common choice to treat for the town,  
Which was tofore inconclusyowne,  
With the greeks accorded finally,  
touching the effect of his ambassadrye.  
Fro point to point where he would stand,  
vigilant fro that he took on hand.  
And for they had afore him full conceived,  
With better cheer he was of them received.  
And in this while that Antenor was out,  
For to treat with the greeks stout,  
As ye have hard for a peace final.  
In the town about on every wall,  
They of Troy 'gan ascend blyve,  
With the branches of many fresh olive,  
In token of peace and greeks eke again,  
Amid the field endelonge the plain,  
showed them that all might seen.  
Eke of olive lusty bows green.  
¶ And to confirm this fro point to point,  
And that nothing stood in disjointe.  
The worthy king great Agamenon,  
Committed hath of high discretion,  
Fully power and authority,  
For the greeks plainly unto three.  
first of all for a peace to treat,  
Unto the wise king of Crete.  
¶ To Vlixes and to diomed.  
And to cheese more than thought it was no need,  
For what they do they will hold stable.  
And finally not be variable,  
From the end platly that they make.  
And thereupon was assurance take,  
Of either part by bond of sacrament.  
And so they be with Antenor ywent,  
Out aside this worthy lords three.  
And when they were at their liberty,  
From all tumult alone privily.  
This Antenor full of treachery,  
Respect of falsehood and of doubleness,  
'Gan his purpose unto them express.  
Behoting them to trash the city,  
So they would make him surety.  
¶ That first himself and with him Aeneas  
Shall freedom have in every manner case,  
With plain power committed to the town.   

But king Priam hath aye suspectiowne,  
To Antenor and also to Enee,  
How that they shall destroy his city,  
And to himself trist of hearty woe,  
He said all as what is best to do,  
In this mischief that I am in fall.  
And yet is this to me worst of all,  
That I am now through mine adversity,  
Bound and compelled of necessity,  
Maugre my head in manner of ransom,  
For my life to make redemption,  
Unto my foen that I have most at heart.  
I see right well it may not asterte,  
For I must pay there gaineth no succoour.  
My good my gold riches and treasure,  
To my most foen and dare it not deny,  
And yet I stand most in jeopardy,  
Without refute hanging in balance,  
Alas constrained through my woeful chance,  
To obey their lust that mortally me hate,  
driven thereto of birth through my fate,  
So Parchas have my destynye yshape,  
By none engine I may it not escape.   

ANd while Priae 'gan thus to complain,  
To Antenor came the queen Heleyne,  
beseeching him in his ambassadry,  
Of gentleness for to specify,  
Through his prudent mediation,  
To find away in conservation,  
Of her estate finally that she,  
To Menelaye may reconciled be.  
If so fall that the treat hold,  
So that her lord of his grace would,  
Restore her unto her degree,  
Only of mercy and of high pity.  
¶ And Antenor unto her request,  
Gave audience making a behest,  
How he would with all his heart enter,  
Be diligent to treat of this matter.  
And therewithal of him she took her leave,  
And this was done on the same eve,  
That Antenor I pray god give him sorrow  
To Greeks went on the next morrow,  
Only to treat for a peace final.  
And in this while the feast funeral,  
Was hold in Troy mine author writeth thus,  
Of a lord that called was Glaucus,  
A manly knight tofore in his living,  
And son was of Pryamus the king.  
And over this like as saith Guydo,  
The king Priam busied him also  
Of Pantasylla how the body might,  
Be conserved freshly to the sight.  
And for love of this hardy queen,  
Of pured gold and of stones sheen,  
He let make a vessel full royal,  
And field it full with bawine natural.  
To keep the corpse from corrupciowne,  
Till the were of Greeks and of the town,  
Through the treat were ystynted clean.   

SO that the king called Phylomene,  
This dead queen might of affection,  
Carry it home into her region,  
With the ancestors buried for to be,  
Like the manner of old antiquity.  
It were in vain more for to rhyme,  
I pass over unto the Treatee,  
Atwene Greeks and Troy the city.  
And for the party of Greeks as I read,  
first ulyxes and with him Diomedes.  
Assigned were and the king of Crete,  
With Antenor and Aeneas to mete.  
And all yfere shortly in sentence,  
By conduit first and after by licence,  
Of the noble wise Agamenowne,  
They entered be into Troy town,  
By conveying of this Aeneas,  
Of whose coming such a joy there was.  
Of the comunes which in things new,  
Rejoice aye after though they rue.  
weening full well in their opinion,  
That by the good mediation,  
Of ulyxes and the king of Crete,  
And Diomedes that came eke to Treat,  
That these three should make as fast,  
A final peace ever for to last,  
And a full end of their alder sorrow.  
And thereupon early the next morrow,  
Priam let make a convocaciowne,  
Of all the worthy within Troy town,  
And when they were assembled all in one,  
The wise ulyxes rose up anon,  
And his tale 'gan in such wise,  
So prudently his words to devise.  
That to hearken every man hath joy.  
And specially they that were of Troy,  
That of his inward meaning fraudelente,  
Full little wist nor of his intent,  
To their pleasance so he could feign.  
And first he asketh of them things twain.  
The one was this that of the city,  
He would have gold an huge quantity,  
In recompense of harms that were do.  
another thing he axed also,  
Without abode that Amphymacus,  
That son was to king Pryamus,  
Perpetually that he exiled be,  
Never to entre Troy the city,  
For gold, prayer, nor for no ransom.  
And this was done by suggestion,  
Of Antenor false and malicious,  
Only for he was contrarious,  
That he should treat for to a peace,  
And for that he was not reckless,  
To say a truth this Amphimacus.  
Therefore in sooth this serpent envious,  
Now he hath found a time for to bite,  
He though the would cruelly him quite,  
For truth only that was in his intent.  
¶ Therefore it is full expedient,  
Of prudence every man to charge.  
That his tongue be not over large.  
truths all be not for to say.  
For wisdom is sometime to feign,  
And dissimule in adversity,  
specially when men in trouble be,  
And see their speech may them not avail.  
Better is then that their tongue fail,  
Than foolily to their damage speak.  
Men must among cure and over reek,  
The truth of things only of prudence,  
And humbly suffer in patience,  
For false report of folks envious.  
Who can so do I hold him virtuous.  
For better it is a while to abide,  
Than say all out of rancour & of pride.  
Silence in sooth hath oft in hasty strife,  
Had of victory a prerogative,  
And the palm of debates won,  
That well are they that so suffer can,  
And be of speech not presumptuous.  
For as I told this Amphymacus,  
notwithstanding that he troth mente,  
Yet for a word he into exile went.  
Albe that god full justly afterward,  
Hath Antenor quit for his reward.  
For with the same he was after it,  
For his falseness duly as it sit.  
This to say of old antyquytye,  
He was to exile and captivity,  
Foriudged after into proscripsyowne,  
And relegate out of Troy town,  
Perpetually by the procuring,  
Of Aeneas. loo how the rightful king,  
That all may see in his drovydence.  
Full justly can make recompense,  
Of doubleness and simulation.  
And of all such contrived false treason.  
For who avengeth with falsehood on his part  
He shall be hit with the same dart.  
He skapeth not for to have a wound.  
For falsehood aye will again rebound.  
Where it is rose first to his original,  
Resort again right as doth a ball.  
For who for fraud ever doth him cast,  
Trust right well it will out at the last.  
And who supplanteth shall supplanted be,  
By good example as ye shall after see.   

OF Antenor the story if ye read,  
And whiles that they treat & proceed,  
touching the exile and prescripsion,  
captivity and relegation,  
That they cast for Amphymacus.  
There was herd a noise marvelous,  
A great tumult and a wonder sown,  
Like as it were a lamentacyowne,  
Of sundry folk plaining in distress,  
For hearty woe and inward heaviness,  
Out of the treat even when they gone,  
This confuse cry after 'gan anon.  
¶ Whereof ulyxes and eke diomed,  
Suddenly fell in a dread,  
Supposing in their oppynyowne,  
That some rumour was fall in the town,  
Among the people in the comontee,  
Of hasty rancour avenged for to be.  
For the love of Amphimacus,  
That causeless was exiled thus,  
Of volunte again all truth and right.  
Wherefore the dread when it drew to night,  
To be murdered of the commons of the town,  
For the fraud and conspiration,  
Falsely of old enmytee.  
By Antenor and by false Enee.  
And soothly yet there was no manner man,  
That could wit whereof it began,  
Nor espy first when it arose,  
In all the palace nor throughout the close,  
They heard it well but they say nought,  
Whereof they were atoned in their thought,  
And afraid of very sudden dread,  
Vlixes first and also Diomedes,  
Lest with commons they had be beset.  
But Antenor without longer let,  
To make them sure from all tumult & cry,  
The Greeks hath conveyed secretly.  
And when they were assured of their place,  
Vlixes first with a changed face,  
'Gan pinch sore in the self while,  
At Antenor of reason and of guile.  
That with his hests so fro day to day,  
Of very sleight put them in delay,  
Seeming fully for aught he could espy,  
There was deceit fraud or treachery,  
In the covenants that he hath behight.  
¶ To whom anon this false Trojan knight  
With sad cheer and sober countenance,  
Well advised in his dalliance.  
Answered again and plainly did express,  
Iwis quoth he I take unto witness,  
The high gods that every thing may see,  
Without feigning that I have busy be,  
Fro point to point your purpose to achieve.  
So that I do you not grieve,  
And finally that ye list to hear.  
There is one thing perturbeth this matter,  
Which I shall so it be none offence,  
Plainly remember here in your presence.  
¶ This to say of old antiquity,  
first at the building of Troy the city,  
That whilom was called Yllion,  
For cause only at his foundation,  
King Ylyus sith go full long,  
The founder was of the wall strong.  
After whom as made is mention,  
It called was and named Yllyon.  
In the which with great and busy charge,  
In Pallas name he made a temple large,  
That passingly was had in reverence,  
And when this Fane of most excellence,  
Performed was by masonry full weal,  
And save the rose complete everydeal,  
Of mighty stone the building well assured.  
But or it was with lead and timber cured,  
Again tempest for to be obstacle,  
There tell a wonder only by miracle,  
That I dare well affirm it in certain,  
Such an other was there never say.  
Who so list see and consider all,  
This marvel was so celestial.   

FOr there came down from the high heaven,  
By Plyades and the stars seven,  
And through the air holding his passage.  
Like a fair and marvelous image,  
That in this world though men had sought,  
Ne was there none half so well ywrought.  
For as it is truly to suppose,  
Pygmalyon remembered in the rose,  
In his time had no cunning,  
To grave or paint so curious a thing.  
For it was wrought with diligent labour,  
By hand of Angel in the heavenly tour.  
Through gods might and divine ordinance  
And hither sent through his purveyance,  
For a relic only of his grace,  
There to abide for a protection,  
For a diffence and salvation,  
Perpetually while the world may dure,  
Again all mischief and misadventure.  
Every trouble and tribulation,  
In sustaining and relevation,  
And sovereign help eke of this city.  
The which never may destroyed be,  
By no engine that men may purchase.  
The gods have granted such a grace.  
And such virtue annexed eke thereto.  
That Troy in sooth may never be fordo,  
Till this relic stole be away.  
And yet in sooth there is no man that may,  
From the place slere it nor remewe,  
But the preieste to whom it is dew.  
Only of office to touch it with his hand,  
So mightily conserved is the bond,  
That who attempteth in conclusion,  
It to remove of presumption,  
At the fine platly he shall fail.  
For force none may him not avail.  
For it in sooth will not removed be,  
Except of him to whom of deutee,  
It pertaineth as ye have herd toforne.  
And overmore there is no man yet borne,  
That read can nor tell in no degree,  
verily where it be stone or tree.  
Nor how it was devised nor ywrought.  
There is no wight so subtle in his thought,  
seriously to tell the manner.  
For Minerva that is so fresh and clear,  
The stern goddess through her great might,  
That is so dreadful both of look and sight,  
Which on her breast hath of crystal,  
Her shield Egys this goddess immortal.  
Ygraunted hath in books as I learn,  
Through her power which that is eterne.  
This holy relic for a memorial,  
To her Temple of building most royal,  
It to conserve from all assault of dread,  
And to succour in every manner need,  
Again their foen unto Troy town,  
While it is kept with devocyowne.  
So that alway by successyowne,  
From king to king in the line down.  
But just title lively succeed,  
Thereto annexed that they take heed,  
Prudently avoiding negligence,  
It to conserve with due reverence,  
As they are bound and yholde of right.  
Then shall no enemy power have nor might,  
To do damage in hindering of the town,  
And why it is called Palladyowne,  
Like as clerks write of it and sayne,  
Is for Pallas to make her town certain.  
This relic sent fro the heaven down.  
And to conclude shortly my reasowne,  
This the cause our purpose is so let.  
¶ Than quoth Vlixus sith it may be no bet,  
Our labour is in idle and in vain,  
Without recure if it be certain.  
As thou hast said this town in no degree,  
Through this relic may not destroyed be.  
It was folly the to undertake,  
Unto Greeks behest for to make,  
Without this thou hadst be well sure.  
¶ Quod Antenor yet there is recure,  
As I have height ye shall have the town,  
Although there be a dylacyowne,  
And the manner anon I shall tell,  
If it so be ye list a while dwell,  
Without noise other perturbance.  
¶ The priest the which the governance,  
Of this relic shallbe spoke unto,  
By good advise and ytreated so,  
That he shall be full of our assent.  
For he with gold and treasure shall be blended,  
That he accord shall to our purpose,  
To bring the relic which is kept so close,  
To what place that ye list assign.  
Be still of port goodly and benign  
In your works till I have brought about,  
Fully this thing and be nothing in doubt,  
I dare myself take it well on hand.  
And when they had his meaning understand  
They took leave and went out of the town.  
But first to void all suspecyowne,  
At their going Antenor hath height,  
How that he would go the same night,  
To Priamus to make ordinance,  
How the bonds and the assurance,  
Of the peace should ymaked be.  
And for to know eke the quantity,  
Of the gold that ye shall receive.  
Thus shall I best the purpose apperceive.  
Of the king and know it everidele.  
And they consent and like it wonder weal,  
Every thing that Antenor had said.  
And so they part glad and well apaid,  
And went their way and made no tarrying.  
¶ And Antenor goth unto the king,  
Him counsaylinge he make no delay.  
To call his lords again the next day,  
And his lieges to assemble yfere.  
Finally to engroce this matter,  
As it was sitting and expedient.  
And when the king in open perliament,  
Crowned sat in his regal.  
This Antenor 'gan to specify,  
In audience that men might know,  
To each estate both to high and low,  
The Greeks will if they agree thereto,  
And what the sum was of gold also.  
Which they are if the peace shall stand,  
Twenty thousand mark to have in hand,  
Of pured gold which must anon be paid,  
And of silver that may not be delayed,  
They must eke have the same quantytee.  
And over this as they accorded be,  
Certain measures by covenant also,  
Of wheat and flower their lives for to save,  
In their repair by the large sea,  
When they sail home to their country.  
And that the collect made be anon,  
By good advise of them everichone,  
That all be ready by a certain day,  
There was no man that durst though say nay,  
Nor contrary that Antenor had said.  
Where so they were well or evil paid,  
But full assent in conclusion.  
And in all haste throughout all the town,  
The collatours gathered up the gold,  
Like the sum that I have you told,  
Of poor & rich there was spared none.  
The which time Antenor is gone,  
Unto the priest that called was Tonaunt,  
If he might in any wise him daunt,  
To make his heart fully to incline.  
Full craftily he laid out hook and line,  
With lusty bait of false covetise,  
exciting him in full secret wise,  
That would be of his assent,  
And condescend unto his intent,  
To put him in possession,  
Of the relic called Palladion,  
Without abode it may delivered be,  
And gave him gold an huge quantity,  
And him to blend much more behyght.  
And this was done privily by night.  
Shortly concluding if he condescend,  
That he would his state amend,  
So passingly that for ever more,  
He and his heirs should have gold & store  
Plenty enough that none indigence,  
Should have power him to do offence.  
For unto the this a vow I make,  
Quod Antenor and platly undertake,  
Of gold & good thou shalt have suffisance,  
And of treasure passing abundance,  
That thou shalt in very sickerness,  
All thy kin excel in richesse,  
If thou deliver like to mine asking,  
Palladyon which is in thy keeping.  
And I behote thou mayst trust me,  
By bond of it shallbe secree,  
Lest it were hindering to thy name.  
For if so be that thou dreadest shame,  
To be esclaundred of so foul a deed,  
I shape shall that thou need not dread,  
Nor be aghast in no manner wise.  
For such a way in sooth I shall devise,  
That no man shall be suspicious,  
To thy person or engenyous,  
To dame amiss how this matter goth.  
For be well aware that me were as loath,  
To be defamed of so foul a thing,  
To know thereof or be assenting,  
In any manner that they of the town,  
Should to me have suspecyowne.  
Let be let be liefer I had die,  
We shall therefore cast an other weigh,  
Our honour save so that thou and I,  
Shall go all quite I say the utterly.  
That neither shall behold ne perceyvere,  
Of this theft but stand hole and clear,  
What ever fall without any shame.  
For ulyxes shall bear all the blame.  
Of this deed and this thief also.  
For men shall say when it is ago,  
By his engine and his sleighty wile,  
Through his trains and his false guile,  
That he hath stole away Palladyowne,  
From the temple in leasing of the town.  
That finally during all his live,  
Men shall to him his falsehood describe.  
And all the guilt arreten his offence,  
That thou and I only of innocence,  
Throughout the world of this iniquity,  
Shall be excused platly and go free.  
It needeth not tarry in this matter.  
Come of at once lo thy gold is here,  
For thou ne shalt longer delayed be.  
And sith thou seest no difficulty,  
Is on no part pearl nor reproof,  
Shame nor dread slander nor mischief,  
Delay not to take this thing on hand.  
And first this priest 'gan him to withstand,  
Full mightily and said for nothing,  
Nother for prayer nor for manasinge,  
For gold nor good ne no manner meed,  
He ne would assent to so foul a deed.  
Thus he answered at the prime face.  
But oft sith it happeth men purchase,  
By gift of good to speak in words plain,  
That troth in poverty might never attain  
For meed more by falsehood may conquer,  
Than title of right that men in truth lere  
And gifts great hearts can incline,  
And gold they may in steel & marble mine  
This priests heart hath so deep grave.  
That Antenor shall his purpose have,  
For to possede the Palladion.  
Through false engine and conspiration,  
Of this priest that called was Tonaunte.  
Which of falsehood might him best avaunt,  
That this relic fro the temple rent,  
And to Vlyxes Antenor it sent,  
Out of the town in all the haste he might,  
By a servant secretly by night,  
Whereof trojans mortally dismayed,  
And through treason finally outrayed.  
Wrought by this priest with covetise blended.  
False Antenor being of assent.    

¶ How the Greeks made an horse of brass wherein was men of arms, and under colour of peace brought it into Troy, by the which it was utterly destroyed for ever. Cap. xxxv.  

OH Troy alas well mayst thou morn & weep  
In complaining with hearty sighs deep  
Falsely defrauded of Palladyon,  
And put for ever out of possession.  
¶ Oh mighty gods that the world govern,  
And everything through your might conserve  
Right as it is of your duty,  
And truth and falsehood may together see.  
In every heart through your purveyance.  
Why took ye not on this priest vengeance,  
That traitorously through his inyquytye,  
For gold and good betrayshed the city,  
Of Troy alas without more recure.  
Who shall emforth and more be sure,  
Or any place stand in sykertee,  
Sith holiness of so high degree,  
May be infect and corrupt with meed.  
Every heart ought quake and dread,  
To see alas by false ypocrasye,  
Priests that should the world exemplefye,  
With good doctrine of perfection,  
To make so soon a transmutation,  
Of double intent suddenly to vary.  
For doubtless if the Sanctuary,  
Be pollut found in conversation,  
Naked and bare of devotion,  
And that the shining of their perfit light  
Ytourned be by darkness unto night,  
Unto what place shall men further go,  
To take example what them ought to do.  
Certys the root and ground of everydeal,  
Is covetise who so look weal.  
Of which the grain is so far ysowe,  
That who so list avarice to know,  
Among priests he shall it rathest find.  
For therewithal they be made blind,  
To their estate that they may not see.  
For in soothness there is no degree,  
Gredyer nor more ravenous,  
Of worldly good more covetous,  
Than priests be to catch what they may.  
For it is gone sith many a day,  
That in their breast fixed was the root,  
Of covetise which sit so soot.  
That no man may arrace it nor remewe.  
For at their tail ever it doth them sew,  
This false worm mother and nurse,  
Of all mischief and of every yuce,  
For gold is now so shining and so bright  
So piercing eke and so clear of light,  
That priests be with his steams blended.  
For in soothness they be in their intent,  
Of covetise very receptacle.  
And to possede eke the tabernacle.  
Their heart is aye so greedy to embrace,  
That avarice hath his dwelling place,  
Mid of their breast this vice of vices all.  
That causeth virtue rather for to fall,  
Where he abide so he can supplaunte,  
Record I take of the priest Tonaunte.  
That for treasure to Antenor hath sold,  
The rich relic that he had in hold.  
Palladion while they of Troy town,  
Have gathered up about environ,  
Of rich and poor throughout the city,  
Gold and silver an huge quantity,  
Flower and wheat to pay their ransom,  
The which sum of entention,  
They made keep wisely and conserve,  
In the Temple that longeth to minerve,  
Purposing after of one affectiowne,  
The citezyns throughout all the town,  
hoping thereby for to far the bet,  
Upon a day assigned and yset.  
To Apollo in their panym wise  
solemnly make a sacrafise,  
With slaughter of beasts with incense & blood,  
On which day when the pryestes stood,  
In compass round about the altar,  
And 'gan to kindle the coals bright and clear,  
Upon the altar plainly as I read  
To offer up the beasts that were dead,  
In the flawme and the great leaven,  
To Apollo stellyfyed in heaven,  
When they to offer were most laborious,  
The first was that the sacryde fire,  
Ne would burn like to his desire,  
Nor the flawme up ascend aloft.  
Albe that they assayed full oft,  
More than ten times and yet it ne would be  
For aye it quaint that they ne might see,  
Nought but smoky resolutions,  
horrible and black like exalations,  
Of new lime when that it is meynt,  
With water cold and of his heat quaint,  
That they might in no manner wise,  
For lack of fire do their sacrafyse.  
For aye they found a wonder obstacle,  
And the next was a more miracle,  
On their altar when they 'gan to spread,  
The entrails of beasts that were dead,  
To queme Apollo with flawme bright & fair.  
There came anon down out of the air,  
A royal Egle full perfing of his look,  
And in his claws the offering up he took,  
And the entrails lying environ,  
In his descence making such a sown,  
That none so hardy of heart nor manhood,  
But that he was atoned there he stood,  
And surprised through nerfe & every vain,  
Of this marvel and this case sudden.  
But the Eagle abiding there no more,  
Over the town full high 'gan to sore,  
Toward Greeks enhasting what he might,  
And on their ships suddenly alight,  
And the entrails of the beasts all.  
This Eagle let from his claws fall,  
Whereof Troyans when they took heed,  
Dismayed with a mortal dread.  
By signs have clearly comprehended,  
That their gods greatly were offended,  
Again the town when the fire went out.  
And for they would be put out of doubt,  
To be sure what this marvel mente.  
To Cassandra in all haste they sent,  
Fully to have declaration.  
And thereupon plain exposition.  
And she told them platly out of dread,  
That the quenching of their fires red,  
Was unto them a demonstration,  
Both of ire and indignation,  
¶ That Apollo hath to Troy bore,  
For the blood that was shed before,  
Of Achilles in his temple slawe,  
Vengeably murdered and ydrawe,  
Without any manner reverence,  
Or honour done to the excellence,  
Of Apollo being there present,  
That the Fane and plates adjacent,  
Were desolved and pollut with blood.  
Wherefore she said shortly it is good,  
That they went on prosessyon,  
With heart contrite and devotion,  
To the tomb of Achilles at night,  
Only to fet on their tapres light,  
Sacred fire brenning at the wake,  
Fully in purpose by assent to make,  
For his mordre satisfaction.  
The which fire by none occasion,  
Shall not quench but his flawmes hold,  
Through none assault of stormy windꝭ cold  
The sacrafyse upon the altar  
Tofore Apollo brenne shall so clear,  
And they of Troy wrought by her read.  
But of the Eagle she bade them take heed,  
That nothing was but token of treason,  
prognostic and declaration,  
Finally how Troy and Ylyon,  
Shall turn in haste to destruction.  
For the flying of this foul royal,  
Over the town and the mighty wall,  
With his feathers mayled bright and sheen.  
And the entrails in his claws keen,  
To Troy was a final demonstraimre,  
Soothe fast showing and signifyaunce.  
The grace and ewer and hap of old fortune,  
By lyklyhead might not contune,  
Nor persever in the first light,  
For all at once they have take their flight.  
Palladion might them not withhold  
That stole was like as I you told,  
For no man may his fatal chance refuse.  
And Greeks eke fast 'gan to muse,  
And inwardly in their wits sought,  
Of the entrails that the Eagle brought,  
And thereupon 'gan together round,  
Till that Calchas did every thing expone,  
And unto them full 'gan assure,  
That the fine of this adventure,  
Conclude should upon their welfare.  
And bade also for no cost they spare.  
To persever and be of heart stable,  
By fortune themself to enable.  
them counselling to do their busy pain  
solemnly in haste to ordain,  
A certain offering borne out of the field,  
To fair Pallas with her crystal shield,  
And to her make a rich sacrafyse,  
As the story by order shall devise.   

Bishop Calchas with his locks door  
Traitor forsworn sith go full yore.  
That falsed hath truth & his alliance,  
Whom clerks have put in remembrance,  
In their locks with letters old and new,  
To exemplefye no man to be untrue.  
For though years pass fast away,  
Rust of slander lightly will not die.  
The fret thereof is so corrosyfe.  
That it lasteth full many man's life,  
And is full hard to arrace away,  
Of whose venom full seld is made allay,  
Report thereof blown is so wide.  
Perpetually that it will abide,  
Remembered new and freshly had in mind  
Record of him that could a way find,  
Old Calchas evil mut he starve,  
Under colour of offering to minerve,  
To make Greeks entre into town,  
This sleighty serpent father and patrowne,  
And finder up of treason and of guile,  
Compassed hath and yfound a wile,  
How Greeks shall the city win & take.  
Pretending them sacrifice to make,  
Unto Pallas as I shall express.  
For this traitor merour of falseness,  
The Greeks bade for to do their pain,  
To Minerva an offering to feign.  
And in all haste that they should them speed.  
And of assent they did make a stead,  
Large and wide of copper and of brass,  
By craft of Sinon that contrived was,  
That it might receive large and we'll,  
A thousand knights armed bright in steel.  
Through the sleight and the compassing,  
The subtle wit and marvelous working  
Of this wise and crafty Greek Sinon,  
Which through his casting and discretion,  
Performed hath this rich stead of brass,  
As ye have herd by biding of Calchas,  
And by the advise of Appius the wise,  
That holp also the stead to devise,  
To fine only that of devociowne,  
Greeks might reqire of the town,  
When it were made to grant them licence,  
It present in the reverence,  
Of mighty Pallas in steel armed bright.  
Amid her temple large and full of light,  
By the offering to find occasion,  
To have entre freely into town,  
By pilgrimage their vows to fulfil,  
In which stead daren shall full still,  
A thousand knights as Calchas by devise,  
Ordained hath that was so sly and wise.  
By craft of Sinon and of Appyus,  
This large stead of making marvelous,  
Under pretence of oblation,  
Was completful to his perfection,  
Of workmanship as I told afore,  
When the siege soothly 'gan to fine,  
And the city was brought to ruin,  
Through Greeks might and the wall strong  
Were beat down large thick and long.  
The which year as made is menciowne,  
A little afore taking of the town,  
Kings eachone that came fro so far,  
alive left after the mortal were.  
When they saw how Priam by covenant,  
Unto Greeks that utterly made grant,  
All haste possible to pay his raunsowme.  
They took leave and went out of the town.  
And first I find how king Phylomene,  
With him lad the body of the queen,  
Pantasillia home to her country.  
Full richly there to buried be.  
And of two thousand knights that this king  
Brought unto Troy first at his coming,  
No more than fifty home with him he lad.  
And of women that the queen had,  
Of a thousand the story saith certain,  
But four hundred home again.  
And thus when all were fro Troy gone,  
The morrow next Priamus anon,  
With his lords road out of the town,  
As was the accord for confyrmaciowne,  
Of peace final upon other side.  
¶ And in the field Greeks him abide.  
¶ And for greeks first swore diomed,  
They of Troy taking little heed,  
How the oath was in condition,  
Cured above under false treason.  
Sith greeks though in their swearing,  
Ne bound themself to no manner thing,  
To stand to as in special.  
But for to hold and keep in general,  
The points hole engressed and no more,  
In thilk treat that Dan Antenor,  
With greeks held this traitor fraudulent.  
In which they were full double of intent,  
Meynt with treason as ye have herd toforne.  
Which to observe only they were sworn,  
By fraud of oath and not by words plain.  
Their adversaries to take in a train.  
Excluding them from their meaning far.  
Peace in the face, but in the heart were.  
All openly confirmed with their hand,  
Inward treason by assurance of bond.  
But though the venom was closed with a wall,  
It was not hid from him that knoweth all.  
For certainly as clerks teach,  
Who that sweareth falsely in his speech,  
flourishing outward by a fair colour,  
For to deceive his true neighbour.  
He is forsworn what so ever he be.  
The treason hid though men may not see,  
How so the word be away yborn.  
Who sweareth by craft by craft is forsworn.  
There may be made no excusation.  
For god that knoweth the intention,  
deemeth the heart and the word right nought  
For he the will knoweth and the thought,  
Of every man nigh and eke afar.  
Therefore beware no man him forswear,  
As greeks did Troyans to deceive,  
That the fraud could not conceive.  
Supposing that Greeks had be,  
faithful and true of their surety.  
¶ But nothing on they in heart thought,  
which in the end they full dear about,  
When they found fully the reverse,  
And to their speech the deed so diverse.  
It were but fain by and by to write,  
Their feigned oaths nor their words white.  
Nor the cheris that they could feign,  
But to conclude with the queen Heleyne,  
During the treat upon the same day,  
¶ delivered was to king Menelaye.  
And after that was paid the ransom,  
Granted tofore and gathered in the town,  
Gold and silver where also and flower.  
And to their ships with diligent labour,  
In full great haste every thing was brought  
Where through the city after came to nought  
¶ And greeks than by simulation,  
Making a colour of devotion,  
Through holiness under hypocrisy,  
Falsely feigned by fraud and flattery.  
The king have prayed to have liberty,  
Freely to enter in to the city.  
To make assete by oblation,  
For the theft of Palladyon.  
And offer up the rich stead of brass,  
To the goddess that called is Pallas.  
¶ What king Priam liketh to assign.  
That she to them be willing and benign.  
In their repair sailing by the sea,  
Home into Grece toward their country,  
When she is quemed with his large stead.  
Of which alas Priam took no heed.  
¶ The treason hid he could not advert,  
But granted them with all his hole heart.  
When that them like to bring it into town,  
By false entysinge and suggestiowne,  
Of Antenor and also of Enee.  
Having no dread nor ambyguite,  
In his intent nor suspection,  
Nother of feigning nor of false treason,  
But right friendly like to his behest,  
Condescendeth unto their request.  
Their avows that they might observe,  
To offer up this horse unto Mynerue.  
And greeks though with great diligence,  
Full great honour and huge reverence,  
Have shapen them with processiowne,  
To bring the stead into Troy town.  
The men of arms being aye therein,  
By whom they cast Troy for to win,  
In short time for it stood on the date.  
And when this horse brought was to the gate▪  
It was so narrow that there was no space,  
For the stead in to town to pass,  
For the stead into the town to pace.  
Albe that they assayed over all,  
Wherefore Priam bet a down the wall,  
To make it large right at their devise.  
In which thing alas he was unwise.  
For cause chief of his confusion,  
Was that this horse came into the town,  
But humbly forth they 'gan to proceed.  
To the temple with this large stead.  
And to Pallas meekly kneeling down,  
They all at once made there oblation.  
With feigned cheer and false devociowne.  
Whereof in heart glad was all the town,  
And special they that were of Troy.  
¶ But sooth is said that aye the fine of joy,  
Who occupieth as men full oft see.  
For unwarely cometh adversity,  
After gladness. woe and misadventure,  
When men best ween for to standen sure.  
In worldly blyshe there none affiance,  
So divers is his unhappy chance.  
Full of deceit ever meynt with trouble,  
And for to trust variant and double.  
And seld in one abiding any throw,  
For worldly lust though it be now blow.  
With pomp and pride & with boast & sown,  
Anon it passeth record of Troy town,  
That wend well by this rich stead,  
To have be sure and devoid of dread,  
Perpetually as I have told tofore.  
But when greeks have this horse ybore,  
Tofore Pallas as ye have heard me tell,  
Them liketh not longer for to dwell,  
In the bounds of this mighty town.  
But of purpose to the Greek Synowne,  
They have committed hole the governail,  
Of this stead the which will not fail,  
When he seeth best opportunyte,  
By this engine to trayshen the city.  
And greeks have in this while found,  
A new sleight them fully to confound.  
This to say they have made their sonde,  
To king Priam they would go fro land,  
Unto the sea toward Tenedowne.  
And thither sail for this conclusion,  
For that Heleyne by good advisement,  
In secret wise thither shallbe sent,  
For they dread if upon the land,  
She were delivered shortly to their hand,  
Greeks would of malices do their pain,  
The more party to sleen this Heleyne.  
For she was ground & ginning of their woe,  
The very rote and the cause also,  
Of the slaughter of many worthy man,  
sithen the time the siege first began.  
Wherefore they said for to stint all strife,  
And to be sure for to save her life,  
The best was to send her out of sight.  
Secretly to Tenedowne by night.  
Thus they feigned of full false treason,  
Priam to put from all suspection.  
As chance they would after in all their live,  
Resort again unto Troy for to strive.  
Thus they made Priam for to ween,  
But in the hand he was deceived clean,  
Of their deceit knowing never adele.  
For in his heart he thought not but weal.  
Granting to them all that might them please,  
And when they had at leisure and good ease,  
Fro Troy sailed unto Tenedowne.  
¶ With their navy the false greek Synowne  
In Troy waker 'gan to taken keep,  
The time when men were in their first sleep  
And in all haste with his sleighty gynne,  
Many vyse and many subtle pin,  
In the stead he made about gone.  
The crafty locks undoing everichone,  
And out he goth and 'gan anon to call,  
Within the horse the worthy knights all.  
So secretly no man might espy,  
And traitorously he 'gan him for to high,  
Upon the walls the self same night,  
And toward greeks 'gan to show a light,  
Where as they lay tofore Tenedowne.  
Ready armed to fall upon the town.  
And when they had this sudden light espied  
On horse back anon they have them hied,  
Toward Troy armed clean at all,  
And in they went by the same wall,  
Which for the horse was but late broke.  
And mortally for to be a wroke,  
The knights eke in the stead of brass,  
Have with them met a full stern pace,  
And 'gan anon throughout the City,  
On every half for to kill and slay.  
With bloody sword upon every side.  
And made their wounds broad large & wide  
While they alas no thing adverting.  
At midnight hour abed lay sleeping,  
Full innocent and thought not be good.  
All forbathed in their own blood.  
Both man and child without exception,  
The greeks sparing no condition,  
Of old nor young woman wife nor maid.  
¶ That with the cry Pryamus abraid,  
Out of his sleep and suddenly awoke,  
Which lay all night and no heed ne took,  
Of the slaughter nor murder in the town.  
¶ But tho he wist that there was treasowne  
Falsely compassed unto his city,  
By Antenor and also by Enee.  
Of whose malices he was no more in doubt,  
For the venom was now taken out,  
And now the gall of conspiration,  
That under sugar of simulation,  
Hath so long closed be and hid,  
In deed is now execute and kid.  
And now the fraud fully of treason,  
The casts also of false collusion,  
Be raked out and abroad yblowe.  
And the auctors openly yknowe.  
¶ Now hath envy and contrived hate,  
Of their engine set abroad the gate,  
Now hate deceit and old conspiracy,  
And feigned oaths all of one ally,  
All openly showed their falseness.  
And disclosed all their doubleness.  
So far abroad that now is there no gain  
For now alas the wild fire is say,  
In towers high with the wind yblased.  
Whereof Priam atoned and amazed,  
All awaped start out of his bed,  
And comfortelesse to the temple is fled,  
Of Apollo to save him if he might.  
And aye the flawme of the fires bright,  
Brent in the town and consumeth all.  
The rich building whilom so royal,  
That the walls with the rofes huge,  
Covered with lead for a chief refuge,  
Were now alas bare and barren makyd,  
The greeks aye with their sword naked,  
Murdre and slay where so that they go.  
That twenty thousand they that night and more  
There killed have long or it was day.  
And in this slaughter and this great affray,  
Spoil and rob and take what they find,  
treasure and good, and left not behind,  
By mighty hand and sturdy violence,  
And the temples without reverence,  
They have despoiled throughout all the town  
And greedily rend and razed down,  
Of gold and silver the ornaments all.  
Tofore the gods foul might them fall.  
¶ King Priam aye with a deadly cheer,  
To Apollo making his prayer,  
furiously this deadly woeful man,  
As he in sooth that no read ne can.   

But wait his death & his fatal eure,  
And Cassandra that holy creature,  
Of inward woe desirous to starve,  
Complaining hied unto minerve,  
Making to her a lamentaciowne.  
With other gentle women of the town.  
And there alas as they wolden die,  
Full piteously they sob weep and cry,  
And in their dole there I let them dwell.  
For all there sorrows if I should do tell,  
In this story and their woe describe,  
My dulled pen of ruth should also rite rive  
¶ rehearsing eke how in every street,  
Their clothes black ready moist and wet,  
As they alas both in one and all,  
On their lords down aswone fall.  
With their blood be dewed and ysprent,  
Where men may see the crystal tears meynt,  
Of their weeping in their wounds green,  
That lay and bleed again the son sheen.  
With deadly eyen casting up the white,  
It were but vain their woeful case to write,  
Nor the manner of their mortal sorrow.  
¶ But Guydo wryt that the same morrow,  
How Antenor and with him false Euee,  
Conveyed have throughout the city.  
The mighty Greeks unto Ilyon.  
The royal tour and rich mansion,  
That whilom was of most excellence,  
In the which they found as though no dyffence  
Of high nor low nor of none estate,  
For it was left alone all desolate,  
With all the gold and richesse of the town,  
Shut and enclosed in the chief dongeowne.  
But there was no man that withstood,  
They broke the locks & reached away the good  
And the treasure that was shut within,  
Each for his party that he might win.  
They gave no force who was life or loath.  
¶ And Pyrrhus after to the temple goth,  
Of Apollo by great cruelty.  
And fell on Priam's kneeling on his knee,  
And with his sword furiously and wood,  
Tofore the altar shed there his blood.  
So high reached both in length and breed,  
What the streams of his wounds red,  
That the statute of gold borned bright.  
Of this Apollo for all his great might.  
For all his power and his stern face,  
Defouled was and pollut all the place.  
Only by death of this worthy king,  
By Pyrrhus' slain while he lay kneeling,  
Of old hatred and old envious pride.  
While Antenor and Enee stood beside,  
That ruth was and pity to behold.  
To see him lie on the stones cold,  
So piteously tofore the altar bleed.  
Whereof alas when Hecuba took heed.  
And her fair daughter Polycene,  
With heir to rend as any gold wire sheen.  
Inly surprised with sorrow to the heart,  
When they began consider and advert,  
The noble king with bloody streams red.  
All for drowned his eyen dark and dead.  
With Pyrrhus' sword girt through other side  
For mortal fear they durst not abide.  
But inwardly through darted with the sight.  
All in a rage took them to the flight.  
And yet in so the through out the Cite,  
They wist never whytherwarde to flee.  
Rescuse was none nor no remedy,  
Of kin nor friend nor of none ally,  
With greeks sword the town was so be set  
And in her flight this woeful queen hath met,  
Aeneas' causer of all this wreck.  
Unto whom rebuking thus he spoke.  
Oh thou traitor most malicious,  
Thou false serpent adder envious,  
Crop and root finder of falseness,  
Soures and well of unkindness.  
How mightest thou in thy hand find,  
Unto thy king to be so unkind.  
Gynner and ground example of treason,  
And final cause of our destruction.  
How mightest thou devoid of all pity.  
Beholding alas through thy cruelty,  
Of the king shed so the blood,  
That ever hath been so gentle and so good,  
So gracious lord specially to the.  
And overmore through his high bounty,  
They honoured and ymagnefyed,  
All his life it may not be denied.  
That lieth now dead in the temple alas.  
Thou were not only traitor in this case,  
But to his death conspiring and unkind.  
Pyrrhus' conveying where he should him find  
Tofore Apollo mids of this city,  
Where thou shouldest of very duty,  
Rather have been his protection,  
His mighty shield and salvation,  
That haste this city and this town ylorne,  
In which thou were fostered and yborn,  
On the greatest of reputation,  
Of all the lords dwelling in this town.  
In which thou hadst whilom most pleasance  
But all is now out of remembrance.  
¶ Yet in thy heart if any drape be,  
Of gentleness mercy or pity,  
In this deadly rage full of tene.  
rue on my daughter young Polycene,  
From greeks sword her youth for to save.  
If thy heart may any ruth have,  
Of manly pity on her maidenhead.  
Defend her now and keep her out of dread  
If thou canst find any weigh,  
In any wise that she may not die.  
¶ That hereafter when men see and read,  
The false treason and the foul deed,  
That thou haste done unto Troy town.  
It may in party be protectiowne,  
To thy fame the venom to ally,  
Of this treason when men will assay,  
By just report thy name to accuse.  
This deed may the help to excuse,  
Against tongues that speak of Enee.  
Than will they say thou hadst yet pity,  
On Polycene only of gentleness,  
Therewith to sugar all the bitterness,  
Of thy desert blow forth by fame,  
By rehearsal of the foul blame,  
That shall of the through the world be borne  
With slander infect when thou art all to torn,  
That thou ne shalt the shame mow sustain.  
Then shall my daughter fair Polycene,  
Be thy defence again such famous strife,  
If it so be now thou save her life.  
Of me no force though thou make as blyve,  
The sword of greeks through my heart rive  
¶ And so by prayer of this woeful queen,  
This Aeneas took to him Polycene,  
Whose traitor heart for all his cruelty,  
On her youth was moved of pity,  
Only of ruth that in his breast arose.  
And secretly put her up in close,  
Lest that greeks found occasion,  
Against him and Ajax's Thelamon,  
Took to his ward Andromecha.  
Hector's wife and wife Cassandra,  
Out of the temple longing to minerve.  
From greeks sword their lives to conserve.  
¶ And Menelaye took the queen Heleyne,  
Into his guard for whom so great a pain,  
Bode in his heart many day toforne,  
By whom alas the city is now lost.  
¶ And greeks aye were busy in their ire,  
To slay and kill and crullly to fire.  
On every side and to beat down,  
palace and house and wall of the town,  
They spare nought for all goth to the fire.  
So fervent hate brent in their desire,  
Of old envy avenged for to be.  
That they ne left within the city,  
Nothing unbrent and also ylyowne,  
Was in this rage turned up so down.  
There made were none exceptions.  
Only but take the possyons,  
Of Antenor evil might he far.  
And Aeneas whom the greeks spare,  
As th●y to them were bound by their oath.  
And thus the greeks furious and wroth,  
Have all that day rob and ybrent.  
¶ Till that the king Agamenon hath sent,  
For his lords to assemble yfeare,  
In Pallas temple only for to here,  
There wise advise upon things twain.  
first if they would hold and not fain,  
holy their hope without exceptiowne,  
To them by whom they won first the town  
¶ And over more he axed them also,  
touching the gods what they would do,  
With gold treasure and possessyowne,  
That they have won through their high renown  
¶ And they answered without more tarrying  
They would their faith keep in every thing,  
As they were sworn and hests hold.  
And over this they said how they would,  
That gold treasure and good of the city,  
As right requietrh and also equity,  
Be justly parted by division,  
To every wight made distribution,  
Like his merit of high and low degree.  
And that the king eke of reason see,  
Each to reward after his labour.  
So as it longeth to a conqueror,  
That no man have matter to complain.  
And so they fell in speaking of Heleyne,  
everich after his opinion.  
And tofore all other Ajax's Thelamon,  
Shortly said she hath deserved death,  
For whom so many have yield up the breath.  
Plainly affirming there in Parliament,  
Of rightwiseness and true judgement,  
She should not escape with the life,  
That ginning was & cause of all their strife  
Rote and ground of all their sorrow and woe  
And so said eke many an other more.  
And for the noise and the great affray,  
¶ Agamenon nor king Menelaye,  
Ne durst a word for her party move.  
To save the queen lest greeks would them grieve  
Against them there was so great rumour,  
Till Vlixes chiefly her succour,  
Through his wit and his eloquence,  
His devoir did and his diligence,  
To have her life and fully to purchase,  
Of the greeks for to get her grace.  
¶ And as Guydo also doth us lere,  
Agamenon greeks 'gan reqire,  
To grant him for a chief guerdon,  
Of Cassandra to have possession,  
All her life with him to abide.  
Eke Aeneas and Antenor beside,  
Of Helenus to the greeks told,  
How to the were he never assent would,  
And how that he prudennt and virtuous.  
In counselling was contrarious,  
To all though of high and low estate,  
In Troy first that began debate,  
atwix greeks and this mighty town.  
Eke by his help and medyatiowne.  
Achilles was buried and ygrave,  
The dead corpse from hounds for to save,  
When he was slain in full cruel wise,  
By night time as ye have herd devise,  
For soothly he and Cassandra both,  
Of this murder in heart were full wroth.  
And sorry eke of many an other thing.  
Wrought in the town without their witting.  
¶ And for they were of malice Innocent.  
The greeks have fully by assent,  
Granted to them a prerogative,  
By Parliament for to have their life.  
But Helenus first in tears drowned.  
Tofore the king piteously hath swooned.  
And abrayding with a deadly face,  
In humble wise besought him of his grace.  
Of knightly pity to have his advertence.  
To spare his sword fro blood of Innocence.  
And of mercy that he not disdain,  
To grant life to the sons twain,  
¶ Of worthy Hector his brother most enter  
And eke to rue on their mother dear.  
Only of grace that she be not dead.  
A widow left alone and can not read.  
And so the king moved in his heart,  
And wot not whither that she may divert,  
Of his words and his woeful cheer,  
benignly granted his prayer.  
And gave eke life and freedom for to go,  
To the mother and her children two.  
¶ And to ladies and gentle women all,  
That for mercy to his grace call.  
He granted eke of compassion,  
A safe conduit and a free pardon.  
Where that them list in the town abide,  
Or in the country adjacent beside.  
He put it hole in their electiowne.  
¶ And thanking him they fell on knees down  
With many tear dewed in the face.  
¶ And so the king parteth fro the place.  
And after that greeks right anon,  
Fully purpose to ship for to gone,  
In haste to sail toward their country.  
But such a tempest rose up in the sea,  
Of wawe and wind also of clouds black,  
All a month that they dare not take,  
The water salt for dread of Neptunus.  
¶ Of very Ire and also Golus,  
Was unto them in every thing contrary.  
That on the land made them long tarry.  
The sea was aye so fell and boiling,  
¶ Till the greeks of Calchas inquiring,  
By one assent what it might be,  
That ever in one so divers was the sea.  
In his rage both eve and morrow.  
¶ And he answered god give him evil sorrow  
This old shrew with all his prophecy,  
That can so well when him list to lie.  
How this tempest caused was at all,  
By the gods and furies infernal,  
That never would appease nor be still,  
Till the number platly of Achylle,  
Avenged be and shedding of his blood.  
¶ For which he said Apollo was eke wood  
For his temple to him consecrate.  
Was through his death in Troy violate,  
By blood again be made satisfaction.  
Wherefore there must through redemption,  
Of her that was root in special,  
Through her beauty and original,  
cause of his death young Polycene,  
And ginning first of his mortal tene.  
Therefore to Apollo she might up offered be,  
By sacrifice to please his deyte.  
With death again to make recompense.  
Right as by death first was the offence,  
This greeks must utterly fulfil,  
If they desire for to have at will,  
The large sea to sail in quiet.  
¶ And Pyrrhus though in a furious heat,  
'Gan inquire about of every man,  
For Policene but no wight tell can,  
Of her a word nor shortly where she was.  
safe some said how that Aeneas,  
And Antenor had hid her privily.  
Whereof there rose among them suddenly,  
Such agrutching of greeks all about,  
Of their life that they were in doubt.  
So inwardly this things they took at grief  
¶ Till Antenor god give him evil proof,  
That may of treason as warden bear the key  
To show out his malices every way.  
So long hath sought till in a chamber old,  
He hath her found and the greeks told,  
And brought her forth unto their presence,  
By cruel force and hateful violence,  
Without pity or compassion,  
And her delivered to Agamenon.  
¶ And he alas by hasty judgement,  
Without respite or advisement.  
Shortly hath dempte that she shall be dead  
That was flowering in her maidenhead.  
¶ And for to do exception,  
¶ She was assigned by Agamenon,  
Unto Pyrrhus and he of tyranny,  
Lad her forth and fast 'gan him high,  
To the place where she should die.  
¶ Great was the press that in the weigh,  
'Gan crowd and shove to behold and seen,  
This young maid fair Pollycene,  
That for her beauty and her semlynesse,  
Her womanhood and excellent fairness,  
Of all yfere when they took heed.  
They had ruth that she shallbe dead.  
Without guilt or any more trespass.  
Where men may see upon many face,  
The salt tears fast fall down,  
Of very pity and compassyowne.  
For man nor child was none so hard of heart  
But he felt for her sake some smart.  
Her goodly face when they behold and see,  
And fain would if it might have be,  
delivered her of very force anon,  
Fro Pirrus hand but for they wend eachone  
Without her death never to have repair,  
Into grece nor the wether fair.  
As Calchas had made suggestion,  
And brought them all in opinion.  
¶ And at the last when this Policene,  
Of deed and will a very maid clean,  
Was to the grave of Achilles brought.  
She kneeleth down & with an humble thought  
Cast up her eye and 'gan sigh oft,  
And to the gods humbly and soft,  
With dreadful heart and devotion,  
Made in this wise her lamentation.   

OH ye mighty that in this world govern,  
And every thing consider and discern,  
By whom this world so huge large & round.  
Both air and sea heaven & eke the ground,  
At your devise with a word was wrought.  
And soothfastly know every thought,  
Right as it is of every manner wight,  
Without letting so piercing is your sight,  
That nothing is conceyled nor ywrye,  
From the beholding of your eternal eye,  
And every thing may at once see.  
Upon my soul have mercy and pity.  
And of your grace and benign cure,  
Upon my woe and piteous adventure,  
Have some ruth now that I shall die,  
My woeful spirit to lead and convey,  
Where as you list now that I shall place.  
For unto you in this self place,  
I me confess with all humility,  
That hitherto I have in chastity,  
Lad all my life and kept my maidenhead,  
In your service both in thought and deed,  
In port in cheer and in countenance,  
Or for feature of any dalliance,  
With one misloke I never yet abraid.  
So that in sooth I die shall a maid,  
As ye well know of sin all innocent,  
Though I be now dempt by judgement,  
For to be dead without guilt at all.  
Witness on you that be immortal.  
Clean of intent of that I am accused.  
And yet alas I may not be excused,  
But that the sword of vengeance must bite  
Routheles which am nothing to wit.  
But stand clear and pure of all offence.  
And discharged in my conscience,  
I dare affirm and fully guiltless,  
touching the murder of worthy Achilles,  
Which slew my brother and after loved me,  
And is now cause of mine adversity.  
And yet in will deed word nor thought,  
Unto his death assentaunt was right nought  
But thereof was right sorry in my heart.  
Albe that I may not now asterte,  
For to be dead only for his sake.  
On me alone vengeance shallbe take,  
Without mercy in full cruel wise.  
With my blood to make sacrafise,  
To the gods their wrath for to queme.  
Oh people blind in sooth amiss ye dame,  
Against me your heart is so cruel,  
To merciless to irous and to fell,  
Without ruth to mikel indurate,  
To slay a maid alone desolate.  
Out of your heart alas pity is gone,  
Harder in truth than any stock or stone,  
And more cruel in your opinion,  
For lack of pity than Tiger or Lion.  
Certis ye be greatly for to blame,  
And aught thereof for to have great shame,  
To assent to so foul a deed,  
To slay a maid quaking in her dread,  
And grant her none opportunity,  
For to be weep her virginity,  
¶ That of this cruel & this piteous wretch.  
My blood your guilt hereafter shall apeche,  
And accuse also your great envy,  
To the gods that shall justify,  
Every unright both of high and low.  
Full equally and make to be know.  
The truth plainly spare and no degree,  
But make open that is now secree.  
I say not this nor myself complain,  
To have redress of my fatal pain.  
For death is now more welcome unto me,  
Than is my life and more I take at gree.  
Sithen my brother most worthy of renown,  
Be slain all and buried in this town.  
My father dead in his unwieldy age.  
And I alone lest in all this rage.  
And have abide pyteousely to see,  
Finally ruin now of this city.  
Which at my heart sitteth now so sore,  
That liefer I have then to weep more,  
die at once in release of my wo.  
Sith all my kin is passed and ago.  
Longer to live were to me a death.  
For better is here to yield up the breath,  
Then to be led out of this city,  
Among strangers to live in poverty,   

OH death welcome and longer let,  
Thy dreadful dart to file & to whet,  
My tender heart therewith all to rive.  
Again thy might I will never strive.  
¶ Now is time to k the power,  
On me that am of will and heart entere,  
A clean maid so as I began,  
Without touch of any manner man.  
In all my life to this same day,  
This little avaunt yet make I may,  
In mine end to the gods all.  
After whose help I clip and call,  
And to their mercy meekly I commend,  
My woeful spirit & pray them that they send  
To every maid better hap and grace,  
Then I have now and a longer space,  
In hearty joy and honour to contune,  
Without assault of any infortune.  
To lead their life in prosperity.  
And all maidens remembreth upon me,  
To take ensample how ye shall you keep.  
And that ye would a few tears weep,  
When that ye think upon fair Pollyne,  
That was of age and of years green,  
When she was slain by cruel adventure.  
And to the gods for to have in cure,  
My dreadful ghost holy I betake,  
Eternally and thus an end I make.  
¶ And with that word her head she 'gan incline  
Full humbly when she should fine,  
And of her eyen held the ledes down.  
¶ And Pyrrhus then wodder than Lion,  
Dismembered hath with his sherpe sword.  
This young made dreadful and afeard.  
And over more his cruelty to show,  
On pieces small he hath her all to hew,  
Endelonge his father's sepulture.  
Alas how might his cruel heart endure,  
Mercyles to do so foul a deed.  
I am atoned soothly when I read,  
After her death how it did him good,  
Like a tyrant to cast abroad her blood,  
Or a Tiger that can no ruth have.  
Round environ about his father's grave  
He sprent of hate and of cruelty.  
Oh thou Pyrrhus thou mayst well ybe,  
Achilles son by lineal descent.  
For like to him of heart and of intent,  
Thou were in sooth devoid of all pity,  
And worse than he yet in one degree.  
For of thy father in all his living,  
Ne read I never yet so foul a thing,  
Though I would of hatred him abraid,  
For no rancour that ever he slew amayde.  
I find well that he had his part,  
Whilom in love of Cupydes dart,  
That made him sore in his live smart,  
When that he was wounded to the heart.  
With the casting only of an eye,  
weening thereby wystly for to die.  
He might not the sudden stroke escape.  
And afterward as his fate hath shape,  
¶ He murdered was for the love of Pollicene,  
Whom thou haste slain in the cruel tene.  
furiously without routh or shame.  
For which thing the foul hateful fame,  
Through all the world hereafter shallbe spread.  
When this story rehearsed is and red.  
Then shallbe said that Pyrrhus' routhlesse,  
Slew in his ire a maid guiltless,  
And woryed shall thy name most audible.  
Be for this deed passingly horrible.  
For love only of fair Pollycene.  
The death of whom when Hecuba the queen  
Hath seen alas as she beside stood.  
For very woe 'gan to be wood,  
And for sorrow out of her wit she went,  
And her clothes and heir she rend,  
All in a rage and wots not what she doth.  
But 'gan anon with hands and with tooth,  
In her fury scrache and eke bite.  
Stones casts and with fists smite,  
Whom she met till greeks made her bind.  
And sent her forth also as I find,  
Into an isle to Troy partment,  
Where she was slain only by judgement,  
Of the greeks and stoned to the death.  
And when she had yield up the breath.  
This woeful queen by cruel adventure,  
The greeks did make a sepulture,  
seriously of metal and of stone.  
And took the corpse and buried it anon,  
With great honour and solemnity.  
That long after men there might see,  
The rich tomb costfull and royal.  
There set and made for a memorial,  
Of Hecuba whilom of great fame.  
And after gave to that place a name,  
And called it to be long in mind.  
¶ Locus in festus) in Guydo as I find.  
And thus the queen only for sorrow wood,  
When her daughter had shed her blood,  
Of greeks stones did her end make.  
As ye have herd plainly for the sake,  
Of Policene whilom in Calchas,  
Unto Apollo falsely offered was.  
By Pyrrhus' sword Achilles avenging,  
To make the sea calm and blandysshydg,  
That the gods take no vengeance,  
Upon greeks that on evil chance,  
Come to this false gods everichone.  
And their statues of stocks and of stone.  
In which the serpent and the old snake,  
Satan himself 'gan his dwelling make.  
And fraudently folks to yllude.  
Full suttyll can himself illude.  
In images for to make his hold,  
That forged be of silver and of gold.  
That by error of false illusion,  
He hath ybrought to confusion.  
Through mischance the worthy kind of man  
Sith time that alder first began,  
The false honour of idolatry,  
And the worship unto maumetrye,  
By sacrifice of beasts and of blood,  
To appease them when that they are wood.  
And to queme both at eve and morrow.  
I pray to god give them all sorrow,  
Where so they be within or without.  
I none except of the false rout.  
Saturn nor Mars Pallas nor juno,  
jupiter Mercurius nor Pluto,  
Nother Flora that doth the flowers spread.  
Nother Bacchus with grapes white & read,  
Nor cupido with his eyen blind.  
Nother Daphne closed under rind,  
Through Tellus might of his laurer tree,  
Nor thou diane with thy chastity.  
Mighty Venus nor Cytherea,  
With thy darts nor Proserpyna,  
That lady art deep down in hell.  
Nor Bellides that draweth at the well.  
Ixyon nor thou zezyphus,  
Nor with thine apple thou cruel Tantalus  
Nor the furies that be infernal.  
Nor ye that spin the lives thread fatal,  
Upon the rock of every manner man.  
Nor the Muses that so sing can,  
atween the Coppies of Nysus and Cira,  
Upon the hill beside Cyrrea.  
Nor the Cybeles nor Ceres with thy corn,  
Nor Golus of whom the dreadful horn,  
Is herd so far when thou list to blow.  
Nor janus Byfrons with back corbed low  
Nor Pryapes nor Genyus the priest,  
That cursed aye with candylles in his feast.  
Them eachone that froward be to kind.  
Nor Ymeneus whose power is to bind,  
hearts that be knit in marriage,  
Till the goddess of discord and rage,  
Dissevereth them by division.  
Nother Maves that have their mansion,  
Mid the earth in darkness and in wo.  
Nor this Elves that are wont to go,  
In undyrmeles when Phoebus is most sheen,  
Nother Fawny in tender griefs green.  
Water nymphs nor this Naydes,  
Satyrye neither Dryads.  
That gods be of wood and wilderness,  
Nor other gods neither more nor less,  
As Morpheus that is the god of sleep.  
I hold him wood that taketh any keep,  
To do to them any observance.  
He may not fail for to have mischance,  
At the end plainly for his meed.  
For all such feigned falseness out of dread,  
Rose of the devil and first by his engine,  
And of his sleighty treynes' serpentine,  
Only mankind when he made lout.  
To false idols the which out of doubt,  
Are but devils david beareth witness,  
In the saulter where he writ express.  
And confirmeth there as he endites,  
How the gods of Paganism rites.  
One and all he excepteth none,  
Be made of gold of silver and of stone.  
Forged of brass of metal and of tree.  
And eyen have of and yet they may not see.  
And all are fiends so as david saith,  
That who in them haveth any faith,  
Hope credence or in them delight.  
It is no dread that they will him quite,  
With such guerdon as the soul slayeth,  
Perpetually so that the fine is death.  
Of their service when men hence pace.  
And in their life unhap and evil grace.  
Mischief and woe and confusion,  
As men may see example by the town,  
That wend well assured for to have be,  
And to have stand in long prosperity.  
Again their foen through help of Apollo,  
Of Venus eke and favour of juno,  
Through Pallas might diane & minerve,  
Whom they were wont to honour & serve,  
With cerimonyes and with sacrifice.  
As ye tofore have herd me devise.  
That them have brought now to ruin,  
By cruel death in a bed them to fine.  
Here may ye see how the venom bites,  
At the end of such old rites,  
By evidence of this noble town.  
What may avail now Palladyowne.  
What may now help their frauded fantasy,  
Of all their old false idolatry.  
Alas alas they bought it all to sore.  
Now farewell Troy farewell for evermore.  
Farewell alas to cruel was thy fall,  
Of the no more now I write shall.  
For thy sake forsooth when I take heed,  
Of inward woe my heart I feel bleed.  
And when that I remember in my thought,  
By ruin how thou art brought to nought.  
That whilom were so noble and so rich,  
That in this world I trow none was liche.  
Nor perigal to speak of fairness.  
To speak of knighthood or of worthiness,  
As clerks say that thy building knew,  
That all the world ought for to rue,  
On thy piteous waste walls wild.  
Whilom so royal when men 'gan to build,  
Thy towers high and king Pryamus,  
The first began most rich and glorious.  
And set his see in noble Ilyon.  
Oh who can write a lamentation,  
Convenient Oh Troy for thy sake,  
Thy great mischief to complain and cry.  
¶ Certes I trow not old jeremy,  
That so be wept the captivity,  
Of thilk noble royal chief city,  
jerusalem and his destruction.  
With all the hole transmygration.  
¶ Of the jews nor thou Ezechyell,  
That were that time when the mischief fell,  
Unto the king ycalled Sedeclye,  
In Babylon and for thy prophesy,  
With stones were cruelly yslawe.  
Nor he that was departed with a saw,  
Ye both two that cold so complain,  
Nor Danyell that felt so great pain.  
For the kings transmutasyon.  
In a beast till through the orison,  
Of Danyell he restored was.  
To mind again and eat no more grass.  
¶ Yet verily though ye all three,  
With your weeping 'gan alive be,  
And present eke at the destruction,  
Of this noble worthy royal town.  
To have bewailed the mischief and the woe,  
And the slaughter at the siege do,  
On other party in full cruel wise,  
All your tears might not suffice,  
To have bewepte their sorrows everichone.  
By treason wrought aswell as by their foen.  
¶ Hereof no more for it may not avail.  
But like as he that gineth for to sail,  
Again the wind when the mast do rive,  
Right so it were but in vain to strive,  
Again the face bitter then gall,  
By the vengeance upon Troy fall.  
Nor to presume their furies sharp whet,  
seriously in this book to set.  
So great a thing I dare not undertake.  
But even here a piteous end I make.  
Of the siege after my simplesse,  
And though my style be blotted with rudeness  
As of metre both rusty and unfyled,  
¶ The fourth book that I have compiled,  
With humble hand of dread that doth me quake  
Unto your grace holy I betake.  
¶ Of your mercy nothing in dispryre,  
So as I can making my repair,  
To the greeks and no longer dwell,  
Their adventures of the sea to tell.  
In their resort home to their country.  
And how that they there received be.  
Only of support so ye not despise,  
The fifth book I shortly shall devise.    
¶ Thus endeth the fourth book.   

The fifth book.  

¶ Here beginneth the fifth book How the Greeks returned into Grece after the destruction, and how they were perished almost all in the sea, and after they that escaped died mischievously. Cap. xxxvi.  

WHen Aeolus which doth the winds roar,  
Appeased was that he blewe no more  
Which is of storms governor and lord,  
And was also fully of accord,  
With mighty juno lady of the air,  
To make the sky and the wether fair,  
That cloud none in heaven did appear,  
And Neptunus' blaundyshing of cheer,  
Was of assent the story sayeth for sooth,  
To make the sea fro tempest calm and smooth  
Without boiling or trouble of any wawe,  
The mighty grekis to shipward 'gan them draw  
For to repair home to their country.  
After they had wonnen the city,  
And put their foemen fully at the wrose.  
But fortune aye froward and perverse,  
Hath with their mirth meynt adversity.  
For when they wend full assured be,  
And have stand steadfast in quiet,  
This blind lady falsely made to fleet,  
Into their sugared gall of discordance:  
Among themself to bring in variance.  
And their hearts of rancour and of pride,  
Contagyously to severyne and divide.  
When they sat highest in their glory,  
With the palm of conquest and victory,  
Fully rejoicing through their high renown,  
The crown of laurer in possessyowne.  
And had also at their lust all won,  
When brightest shone the lusty fresh son.  
From East to West of their worthiness,  
A cloudy sky unwarely with darkness,  
eclipsed hath a party of their light.  
And eke diffaced the wholesome beams bright,  
Of their welfare and prosperity.  
By the envious false contagyosytie,  
Of the serpent pompous and ellate,  
Among themself to make them at debate.  
Indusing in rancour and discord,  
For or they entre within ships board,  
Again Vlyxes worthy Thelamon.  
In presence of the king Agamenon.  
Purposed hath plainly his matter,  
Tofore greeks anon as ye shall here.   

Sire's quoth he so it you not grieve,  
Me seemeth justly of reason I may move,  
Touching the winning & getting of the town  
With gold richesses and possessyowne,  
Fully delivered and taken to our hand,  
With all the treasure found in the land,  
The which me thinketh in my inward sight  
Ne hath not been departed half a right,  
Among us by just division,  
Ne by equal dystribution.  
Considered first by title of equity,  
Of every wight the estate and dignity,  
Remembered eke how in this sharp shower,  
The worthiest the merit and labour,  
And deserts in this mortal strife,  
Granting to everich his prerogative,  
And like fortune as he hath deserved.  
But this order hath not be observed,  
amongs us without exception,  
In deliverance of Palladyon,  
Which ulyxes I say without dread,  
Tofore you all unjustly doth possede.  
On him usurping by false opinion.  
By meritory retribution,  
And appearance his title for to ground,  
Under pretence of colour falsely found,  
That he this relic rejoice should of right.  
By sleight won rather than of might.  
And usurpeth by manner of a vaunt,  
As it were given unto him by grant,  
Of you eachone for a chief guerdon.  
But I will make a replycation,  
That this relic is not to him mete.  
Which he shall not rejoice in quiet,  
If that I may disturb him or do let.  
For I it cleyme duly as of debt,  
And for guerdon to me convenient,  
So that ye list to be indifferent.  
Of reason only as it doth you seem,  
atween us two equally to dame,  
justly first with every circumstance,  
Our other merit weighed in balance,  
first considered forth fro day to day,  
By all the long while that the siege lay,  
That ye should of plenty of victual,  
On no side fro no mischief fail.  
¶ And if I shall without avaunt out break,  
As of arms and knighthood for to speak,  
In the field by long continuance,  
Of manly force and perseverance,  
Upon our foen that were so fell and keen,  
Day by day I was armed clean,  
It needeth not to make mention,  
With my right hand I slew him Phylomene  
As ye well know which had in his keeping  
The young son of Pryamus the king.  
Fresh and lusty and of great fairness.  
And with him had infinite richesse,  
Of treasure gold passingly plenty.  
And every deal was brought to you by me,  
If ye remember and list to take heed.  
That ye were quiet of indigence and need,  
By occasion of that great good.  
And through my manhood shed I not the blood  
Mercyles in full cruel wise,  
For your sake of the king of Fryse.  
And the treasure in his coffers sought,  
And all yfeare to the siege ybrought,  
And by my knighthood sith go full yore,  
Have I not eke augmented and made more,  
The greeks land with possessions,  
By conquest only of two regions,  
Through my prudence and my labour won,  
sithen that ye the siege first begun,  
With provinces to Troy adjacent,  
To your increase I was so diligent.  
¶ And with Achilles the worthy warrior,  
Ye be expert full well of my labour.  
What we wrought to your advantage.  
And sithen ye so prudent be and sage,  
Not foryetell but fully remembering,  
It needeth not rehersen every thing.  
¶ And so to dispreve manly as a knight,  
His title and cleyme that he hath no right,  
The doom committing to your opinions,  
By rehearsal of his conditions,  
He neither hath manhood nor prowess,  
Force knighthood neither hardiness,  
And at a point for to have a reward,  
In daring do is proved a coward.  
Experience hath showed you in deed,  
How that he is when it cometh to need,  
But word and wind & sleighty compassing,  
And on falsehood ever imagining,  
For never yet to this day was proved,  
That any thing was by him achieved,  
Which might be entitled to his laud:  
But the end meddled were with fraud.  
For under colour he can cure all,  
Pretend fair like a painted wall,  
diverse hewed that neither high nor low,  
There may no man his plain meaning know.  
¶ And with such sleight compassed by treason  
Out of Troy he got Palladyon.  
Which is great shame & slander to us all.  
For of our conquest it is thus befall,  
More of treason we have the city won,  
Than of knighthood as men report koune.  
And crop and rote if I rehearse shall,  
Vlyxes there is ground and cause of all.  
And ginning first of this unhappy fame,  
That reboundeth to our alder shame.  
And sith the truth is platly known & wist  
My tale is ended deemeth as ye list.   

VLyxes then in his advertence,  
conceived hath the great impatience,  
Of Thelamon and the great envy,  
The fervent rancour and melancholy.  
¶ Forbore him first by full great advise,  
As he that was full prudent and right wise,  
And thought he would make thereof no jape,  
By no word for haste that should escape,  
Nother by none unbridled countenance,  
Outward conceived in his regardaunce,  
¶ And abrayding with a stable face,  
Sires quoth he so I may have grace,  
Under support of your high presence,  
That my tale may have audience.  
I neither am in doubt nor in dread,  
Of equity that I shall possede,  
Palladyon during my lives day,  
Maugre the might of who that say nay.  
For if ye list of reason for to see,  
At the siege laid first to this city,  
I have myself in double wise acquyt.  
As well by knighthood soothly as by wit,  
And through my counsel and my busy cure,  
Be ofre cause of their discomfiture,  
Ay diligent to your advantage,  
Wrought and compassed unto their damage.  
That to this day in sooth ne had I be,  
They had flowered in their felicity,  
In their force contuned and welfare.  
And if that I the troth shall not spare,  
If it be dempt and looked of reason,  
I was most cause of their confusion,  
Who so ever against it reply.  
¶ How oft went I on your imbassadrye,  
With importable charge and dispense,  
The treat aye concluding in sentence,  
To the forthring of your entenciowne,  
And disencrease and hindringe of the town.  
And when I saw other mean none,  
In mine advise and wits everyone,  
By our force the city for to win,  
While they had that relyke them within,  
Thereupon so sotylly I wrought,  
That unto you Palladyon I brought.  
Which Thelamon that of malice striveth,  
Of old hatred unto my gilt ascriveth.  
holy this thing that I have for you wrought.  
¶ But ye that be so prudent in your thought,  
Aduerteth wisely and an end maketh,  
And in your hand this quarrel fully taketh.  
Palladion justly to provide,  
And all favour let be laid aside.  
Sith all this thing ye platly understand,  
And let us both to our deeming stand.  
By one assent how so the matter wend,  
Lo here is all my tale is at an end.  
¶ Then Thelamon in Ire full fervent,  
And through rancour made impatient,  
And of envy inwardly moved,  
ulyxes hath dispyteously reproved,  
Only of malices and of high disdain.  
And Vlixes rebuking him again,  
Full bitterly without abode anon,  
And so they twain made full mortal foen,  
In the presence of Agamenon.  
¶ But furiously Ajax's Thelamon,  
Of melancholy pale and nothing red,  
Thrette Vlyxes that he shall be dead,  
Of his hands he should it not eschew.  
And greeks tho all rancour to remove,  
This quarrel put in arbytration,  
Of Menclaye and Agamenon,  
That caused after a full mortal strife.  
For by sentence anon dyffynytyfe,  
They put Vlixes in possession,  
Perpetually of thilk Palladyon.  
With him confirming to abide stable.  
And cause why they were favourable,  
To ulyxes like as Guydo write.  
Was for that he so goodly hath him quite,  
Unto Heleyne at getting of the town.  
Being in cause of her savaciowne,  
Dispeyred and of her life in dread,  
Greeks willing to have had her dead.  
But through his prudent mediation,  
Maugre the might of this Thelamon,  
He hath the queen fro the death preserved,  
Albe that she the same had well deserved.  
As greeks said in their opinion.  
And thus defrauded of Palladyon,  
As ye have hard was this worthy knight,  
For all his manhood and his great might.  
Where through there 'gan in his heart breed,  
Passing envy and full great hatred.  
And thought he would avenged be some day,  
Upon Vlixes and on Menelay,  
And eke also upon Agamenon.  
And out he broke like a wood Lion,  
With his knights about him that were strong,  
And said plainly of this great wrong,  
For to be dead he would avenged be.  
And specially on this ilke three,  
And therewithal furious and wroth,  
turning his back out anon he goeth,  
In heart fret with full mortal tene,  
With many greek his quarrel to sustain,  
That in heart sore 'gan disdain,  
Again Vlixes and the other twain.  
But they full ware what so ever fall,  
Their knights made about them for to call  
And with great stuff where they wake or sleep  
To await on them and manly for to keep,  
With full good watch environ all the close.  
¶ But full early or the son arose,  
This worthy Ajax's in his bed upright,  
Ymurdred was the self same night,  
And albe bleed in the morrow found.  
On pieces hew with many mortal wound.  
That for this thing cruel and horrible.  
To god and man loathsome and audible,  
Full many greek that woeful morrow weep.  
To see a knight so murdered in his sleep.  
That the cry and the noise ran,  
Throughout the host anon fro man to man  
And for constraint of this foul deed,  
everich of them felt his heart bleed,  
Full desirous to make an ordinance,  
On this murdre for to do vengeance.  
Having thereof great suspection,  
To Menelay and to Agamenon.  
¶ But to Vlixes most in special.  
By common voice to him arretting all,  
The foul fame he might not asterte.  
¶ But Pyrrhus most took this thing at heart  
Making a vow furious and wood,  
To be venged plainly on the blood,  
Of Thelamon upon Vlixes head.  
Him manasing that he shallbe dead,  
So sore on him fretting was the sorrow.  
¶ But Vlixes early on a morrow,  
For dread of Pyrrhus taken hath the sea,  
And with his ships fast 'gan to flee,  
¶ Butler or he went platly as I read,  
Palladyon he took to diomed,  
Having in heart thereof full great remorse.  
¶ And Pyrrhus then taken hath the corpse,  
Of Thelamon for love in special,  
And did make a flawme funeral,  
Large and great of coals hot and red,  
And amids the fervent fiery gleed,  
Full many a greek standing to behold,  
He let it burn into ashes cold,  
And in the story after as is told,  
He closed them in an urn of gold,  
Full reverently and after hath it shut,  
And thereupon he hath the print ysette.  
Of his arms curyously ygrave.  
From all mischief the ashes for to save.  
And sent them home by great affection,  
To be conserved in the region,  
Where he was king while he was a live.  
And every thing was performed blyve,  
After the rites in the days used.  
¶ And ever in one Pyrrhus hath ymused,  
Upon this murdre traitorously ywrought,  
And cast it should be full dear about,  
The piteous death of this Thelamon,  
Having aye hate as to Agamenon.  
And had eke suspect old Menelay,  
That in a wait each for other lay,  
Making themself with their knights strong,  
To try out who hath right or wrong.  
For Pyrrhus ne would let it lightly gone.  
And thus they were made mortal fone,  
This ilk three platly to the death.  
Through false envy which their hearts slayeth  
And while they were among themself untrue  
Strife upon strife 'gan every day renew,  
And debates for to multiply.  
Till Antenor 'gan this thing espy,  
And by his wisdom to stinten all disdain,  
Them reconciled unto peace again,  
And caused them to accord in all.  
And after made a solemn feast royal.  
beseeching them full lowly all three.  
To grant to him thereat for to be,  
Of gentleness that Greeks might eachone,  
Outward conceive that they were all alone,  
And to this feast he goodly made to call,  
As writ Guydo the worthy greeks all,  
Of high ne low was none exception.  
But if I should make description,  
How the lords and estates set,  
Of sundry courses and the gifts great,  
That Antenor gave on every side.  
It were to long to you for to abide.  
There was of plenty so great suffisance,  
¶ And I find they fell in dalliance,  
sitting at meat to speaken of Enee.  
Brought in of hate and of enmity,  
And of disdaye shortly in sentence,  
They put on him many great offence,  
And specially in their hasty tene,  
Whilom how he concealed Polycene,  
And by his sleight made her be withdraw,  
Which was in cause Achilles was yslawe.  
Shortly concluding by one opinion,  
His final exile out of Troy town.  
notwithstanding the grant and liberty,  
Given to him to abide in the city,  
Also long as him list devise.  
But greeks have annulled his franchise,  
From the lowest up unto the meste,  
That were present at this high feast.  
¶ But doubtless I can not well espy,  
By whom was brought this conspiracy,  
In Troy book I find can no more,  
Save that himself wit it Antenor,  
Ylyche false both in one degree,  
As ye have herd betrayshing the city.  
Like as they had sprung out of one root.  
And when he knew there was none other boot  
This Aeneas his doom to modify,  
He prayed them of their courtesy,  
At the least to graunten him grace,  
Four months that he might have space,  
To make his stuff and his apparel,  
And himself to purvey of victual,  
Eke to grant him that they would assent,  
Thilk ships that with Paris went,  
To Cithaeron unto that temple old.  
That were in number two and twenty told.  
And with full grant of his petycyowne,  
He is returned home to Troy town.  
Tryste and heavy to see and behold,  
The waste city with his walls old.  
And for sorrow felt his heart bleed,  
Within himself when he taketh heed,  
And remembered in his advertence,  
To false treason and the great offence,  
By him compassed to the town aforne.  
And how that he so suddenly hath lost,  
The grace of greeks and stood disconsolate,  
That whilom was of so great estate.  
Now in his heart he fully despaired,  
That he unwarely was so evil appaired,  
Unto greeks beyond at his back.  
Being unguilty and without lack.  
And by whom he could not well dame,  
Save by signs as it should seem,  
That Antenor was most for to wite.  
And cast plainly that he would him quite,  
And through the town he made send blyve,  
For thilk few that were left alive,  
Coming anon at his commandment,  
And when they were everichone present.   

Sire's quoth he ye see how that fortune,  
Towards me gineth discontune,  
Ay unstable with her eyen blind,  
As ye expert in yourself now find,  
Whilom froward now turned into wrose,  
That of clerks called is adverse,  
When her list her cruelty to show.  
Now so it standeth ye be here but a few,  
And I must part and ye still abide,  
But it so be that ye will provide,  
Standing alone devoid of all succour,  
Among yourself to make a governor,  
I can not see beauty shallbe accloyed,  
On every part and finally destroyed,  
As silly sheep that ne can no read,  
All disparkled when no man doth them lead.  
Wherefore best is in this dreadful thing,  
By one assent to chosen you a king,  
And most able the estate to occupy,  
From all assault manly you to guy,  
Is Antenor of knighthood and renown,  
If it accord with your opynyowne.  
Wherefore in haste unto this intent,  
Without abode let for him be sent.  
And at his coming plainly into town,  
Upon his head let be set a crown,  
Granting to him sceptre and regalye,  
By his wisdom that he may you guy.  
From all assault of any parturbaunce:  
By his knighthood & prudent governance.  
And they assent making no delay,  
There was never one that liketh to say nay,  
But were right glad in all manner thing,  
As ye have herd for to make him king.  
¶ But they full little soothly in their sonde,  
Of Aeneas the meaning understand,  
For he ne mente but treason and falsehood,  
How at his entering that he shallbe dead,  
Full traitorously in await lying,  
To slay him falsely at his in coming.  
But Antenor of all this nothing ware,  
disarmed came and no weapon bare,  
And Aeneas with an huge rout,  
With sword draw set him round about,  
Till they of Troy both the young and old,  
Ran atween and manly him with hold,  
And on their knees fell meekly down,  
beseeching him to have compassyowne,  
Of worthiness and also of manlyhead,  
Like as a knight for to taken heed.  
How they were left but of people bare,  
beseeching him his dreadful sword to spare  
And his rancour and his ire leave.  
Lest the slaughter would them all grieve,  
And on the common they besought him rue.  
As saith mine author at mischief to the land  
And there he was found on the sonde,  
Almost at death without remedy,  
To him Mynerua hath so great envy,  
For he so woodly to her temple went.  
And Cassandra after her autur hente,  
By cruel force and hateful violence.  
¶ Lo what peril is to do offence,  
Of high despite to any holy place.  
I doubt not he shall fail grace,  
Who so ever useth it in deed.  
At the last god will quite his meed,  
And reward him like as he dysserueth.  
And for such thing many greek now striveth  
Because only of such occasion,  
To exemplefye for no presumption,  
foolily to attain as I have told.  
For again god who so be to bold,  
Shall repent sooner than he weeneth.  
And many man that no harm ne meaneth,  
suffereth vengeance for trespass of one.  
The first Author goth not quite alone,  
But many other his offence abayth.  
For seriously Guydo wryt and saith.  
Suing in order the woeful adventure,  
That every greek homeward did endure.  
Of high and low sparing none estate,  
Wholesome welfull and some infortunate,  
Both of their woe and of their welfare,  
Right as it fell the story shall declare.   

IN Grece whilom was a worthy king,  
Manly and rich and prudent of living,  
And had in sooth like as write Guydo,  
In his time worthy sons two.  
Pallamydes was the eldest brother,  
And Oetes called was the t'other,  
Both twain of one mother borne,  
And as the story rehearsed hath toforne.  
Pallamydes was a noble knight,  
Full famous eke of power and of might,  
And fer spoke of in many sundry cost.  
And had also of all the greeks host,  
For his wisdom whilom governail.  
¶ But he alas was slain in battle,  
Through unhap of Martyrs cruel tene.  
When the son shone most bright and sheen.  
Of his knighthood and his worthiness.  
Like as tofore the story beareth witness,  
And of his death doth plainly specify.  
¶ But now of malice hatred and envy  
Of such as have tongues infortunate,  
To make only king Naulus at debate,  
With the Greeks contrived have of new,  
An high treason false and full untrue,  
The which in sooth was never do nor wrought,  
Nor in effect imagined nor thought,  
But a false thing yfeyned of malice,  
¶ That this king so manly and so wise,  
And so prudent this Pallamides,  
Should of envy god wots causeless.  
At the siege of Troy the city,  
Upon a night falsely murdered be.  
So that this slaughter & this loathsome deed,  
By Vlixes and by Diomedes,  
Were fully wrought as ye have herd devise,  
Which every heart aught to agryse.  
¶ This false also that this tale have feigned,  
To king Naulus have traitorously complained  
Albe in deed it was never mente,  
That greeks were also of assent,  
To this murdre and conspyration.  
Both Menelay and Agamenon.  
Albe in sooth that every deal was false,  
That hanged be they high by the half,  
That can tales so forge and contrive,  
To make friends causeless to strive.  
For they through fraud of false collusion.  
King Naulus put in suspection,  
That greeks had conspired doubtless,  
Upon the murder of Pallamydes.  
Making their ground which they did feign,  
That fro Troy were sent letters twain,  
To Pallamydes immediately direct.  
Which concluded treason in effect.  
How that he was for all his high estate,  
Falsely allied and confederate,  
To them of Troy for a sum of gold.  
All this they have feigned and ytolde.  
And how he had out of the city,  
Of good received huge quantity,  
To fine only Greeks to betray,  
And to prolong them platly and delay,  
At the siege in getting of the town,  
By his engine and medyacygwne.  
And to confirm all this in sentence,  
To make Naulus give full credence.  
They said plainly in confusion,  
The letters which that were sent fro the town,  
Yfounde were enclosed in a shield,  
Upon a knight yslain in the field,  
Comprehending hold the treachery.  
The treason full and confederacy,  
¶ Atwene the town and Pallamydes.  
verily though he were guiltless,  
And to give more open evidence,  
To make a proof of this great offence.  
¶ They said ulyxes affirming in certain  
Accorded was with a chaumberleyne,  
That was in office with Pallamydes.  
Wonder secret and nothing reckeles,  
For to assent to this conspiracy.  
Wrongly compassed of brenning hot envy  
Behoting him guerdon and great meed,  
Like his devise to execute in deed,  
To take a treasure and a sum of good,  
Full secretly and knit it in a hood,  
And hide it when voided was the press,  
Under the bed of Pallamides.  
And more to put Greeks in surety,  
The treasure was the same of quantity,  
That it ne might after be denied,  
Like as the letters had specified.  
¶ And when all this found was & know,  
Throughout the host noised was & yblowe,  
Both of the letters and the gold also,  
From point to point according both two,  
Which that this king assenting to tresowne  
received had out of Troy town,  
To be assented as ye have heard me tell.  
The Greeks tho no longer would dwell,  
But shope them forth all of one intent,  
And in all haste came unto the tent,  
Of this king full innocent and clean,  
That little knew what they would mean,  
¶ But upon him full knightly as he stood,  
In their ire furiously and wood,  
To be venged loud 'gan to cry.  
There may no man their malice modify.  
They were on him so merciless at all,  
And as I find most in special.  
King Menelay and Agamenon,  
Only moved of indignation,  
Would have proceeded unto iudgemtnt,  
Of hasty rancour without advisement,  
On this treason avenged for to be.  
notwithstanding all his high degree.  
But in soothness when this worthy king,  
conceived hath this malice in working,  
First atoned in his inward sight,  
All suddenly start uplike a knight.  
This wise worthy this Pallamides,  
Hardy as Lion amid all the press,  
Nothing aghast him knightly 'gan express,  
And plainly said he would not refuse,  
To acquit himself of this mortal case,  
Not accepting that he so worthy was,  
Of birth and blood and of high kindred.  
All this devoyding of knighthod and manhood,  
As he that gave of life nor death no force,  
Tofore them all to jeopardy his corpse,  
Within a field where them list ordain,  
Like as a knight this quarrel to dareyne,  
With whom that list or durst it undertake,  
Exception him liked none to make,  
Of high nor low who that were so bold,  
To prove the reason that I have you told.  
beseeching them to make no delay,  
Nor prolong him but the same day,  
Manly requiring it may be do in haste.  
But they that had falsely this thing compaste,  
Of his answer stoned were eachone.  
In all the host that there was not one,  
That hardy was if I shall not fain,  
In chaump close this quarrel to dareyne.  
Nother Vlixes nor yet diomed,  
Chief workers of this foul deed.  
But Vlixes as he was customabe,  
In every thing to be deceivable,  
Double in his work and aye full of deceit,  
Like a serpent that lieth in await,  
Which under flowers 'gan so glide and trace.  
Right so Vlixes with a feigned face,  
When that he saw the knightly high prowess.  
The manly cheer and the hardiness,  
And high renown of this Pallamides.  
Anon of falsehood put himself in press,  
And like a friend that mente not but weal,  
Brotyll as glass pretending outward steel  
With one the first 'gan him to excuse,  
Them counsaylinge no longer for to muse,  
On this matter for their alder ease,  
And by craft 'gan them so appease.  
touching the rumour of this high treason,  
That he hath voided all suspection,  
Out of their hearts concluding in certain.  
This accusing made was in vain,  
And conspired only of hatred.  
Albe himself was root of all this deed.  
¶ But when he saw he might not achieve,  
As ye have heard this worthy king to grieve  
Some spot of treason on him for to lay,  
He hath anon found an other way,  
By the assent fully of diomed,  
Under pretence plainly of frendlyhed,  
Coming to him again a certain night,  
Under surance as he was true knight,  
Counsel to keep either for sote or sour,  
informing him of a great treasure.  
Of gold and good and infinite richesse,  
To him discured under secretness.  
The which soothly no man did know,  
hid and enclosed in a well low,  
Within a field a little there beside.  
The which him list fro him not to hide,  
But of trust unto him dyscure,  
So he would do his busy cure,  
The same night with him for to go,  
Unto the well they three and no more,  
To fet away that great sum of good.  
And he in sooth that nothing understood,  
What they mente assented was anon.  
And so they three be together gone,  
Unto the well like as I have told.  
And for that he most manly was and bold,  
Pallamydes like as they him tell,  
Descended is low into the well,  
Supposing to have a treasure found.  
But they alas him falsely to confound,  
Have murdered him with stones great & huge,  
He in the bottom having no refuge.  
And when they had accomplished their intent,  
They be repaired everich to his tent.   

THis tale the story telleth us,  
That feigned was to the king Naulus,  
touching the death of Pallamides,  
Them to desclaunder that were guiltless.  
For Vlixes and with diomed,  
Were innocent platly as I read,  
And Greeks all both nigh and far.  
For he was slain knightly in the were,  
During the siege of Paris with an arrow.  
But who is false, fain can full narrow,  
To find a tale that never yet was thought,  
And of the treason that should have be wrought  
touching the letters sent out of the town,  
There was no such conspyracyowne,  
By Greeks wrought but a fable unsothe,  
Falsely feigned to make Naulus wroth,  
With ulyxes and diomed also.  
Agamenon and other Greeks more,  
To let them homeward in their way,  
And hinder also there is no more to say,  
As they repair to their regions.  
And Naulus then by this occasions,  
And Oetes his son a manly man,  
Accorded be in what they may or can,  
By one assent to avenge merciless,  
The cruel murdre of Pallamides.  
And to ordain at their home passage,  
To work fully into their damage.  
For Greeks must of necessity,  
Homeward sale foreby his country.  
Wherefore this king shapen hath a wile,  
On hills high by a little isle,  
In winter season every manner night,  
To make fires and to set up light,  
To cause them on the sea to err,  
For as Greeks saw the fire a far,  
Unware of harm cast them for to land,  
As they that could no peril understand.  
But shope them with all their full might,  
For to arrive fast by the light.  
Wherewith two hundred of their ships broke,  
Among rocks and fully go to wreck,  
That there was drowned many worthy man.  
And thus the vengeance alderfyrst began,  
That king Naulus hath on Greeks take,  
Of deadly hate for his sons sake,  
To great mischief and confusion.  
Of Greeks navy. but Agamenon,  
With great peril is the death escaped,  
That had almost among them be beiaped,  
For earls dukes & worthy kings crowned,  
Through his train in the sea were drowned  
But Menelay and also diomed,  
Escaped this mischief as I read.  
And when they were from all danger gone,  
This Oetes wood for ire anon,  
In his heart shope an other wile,  
And thought he would Agamenon beguile,  
Compassing a full mortal strife,  
Let send a letter anon to the wife,  
Of this mighty great Agamenon,  
In which cheer was included false treason.  
For even like if I shall not lie,  
Thus in effect they did specify.  
¶ first how her lord Agamenon the king,  
Had at the siege wrought a wonder thing,  
In prejudice and slander of her name,  
Albe in her was no manner blame,  
Like as he wrote platly nor trespass,  
His knightly honour of folly to difface.  
¶ This to say Guydo telleth thus,  
He loved a daughter of king Pryamus.  
And for beauty had her to wife take,  
And her in heart finally forsake,  
This worthy queen whilom of great fame,  
And Clemestra soothly was her name,  
Wonder seemly and right fair with all,  
And by dyscent borne of the stock royal.  
Her celling eke for all her excellence.  
Albe that she never did offence,  
Yet her lord of newfangilnesse,  
Took an other the letters did express,  
Fully in purpose anon at his repair,  
Though Clemestra were both good & fair,  
All suddenly her to exile:  
Out of his land many thousand mile,  
Warning her that she be prudent,  
This was the substance as in sentiment,  
That Oetes wrote unto this queen,  
Albe the king was innocent and clean,  
And was to her in all his fore living,  
Loving and true in all manner thing,  
And her to please passing intentive,  
In word and deed during all his life.  
As far as ought of reason be desired.  
But the letters that falsely was conspired,  
They have her put percase of Innocence,  
For to give to hasty credence,  
¶ Thanking first Oetes for his truth,  
That so goodly him list to have ruth,  
Upon her wrong of high compassion.  
And yet the story maketh mention,  
Here afterward as I shall descrive,  
That she was the fal'est one alive,  
Unto her lord and in his long absence,  
And in all haste she made strong diffence,  
Again this thing & 'gan her to purvey,  
By such fraud that she not ne die,  
But of her work in sooth she was to wite,  
The which alas I must anon indite,  
As the story platly doth me lere,  
Which doleful is and mortal for to hear.   

OH unsure trust of all worldly glory,  
with sudden change put out of memory,  
Oh joy unstable of vain ambition,  
With unware turn reversed up so down.  
Oh idle fame blow up to the sky,  
Over whelmed with twinkling of an eye,  
Oh pomp oh boast of triumph & victory,  
Like a shadow waste and transitory,  
Oh fortune false and unassured,  
That to no man may fully be lured.  
To high nor low of no manner estate,  
With bond of faith to be conferate,  
Again whose might no man may him diffend,  
But at his turn that he shall descend,  
When he sit highest on thine unstable wheel,  
Thy brotyll favour forged not of steel,  
Meynt and all allied with mutabylytye,  
For welfulness and false felicity,  
With sudden sweygh froward thou canst avail.  
Now fresh of cheer now for anger pale,  
Of high disdain thou sparest no degree.  
For Prince's Duke's highest in their see,  
Mighty kings and worthy Emperors,  
That richest reign in their royal flowers,  
With Sceptre & crown thou canst pull down,  
¶ I take witness of Agamenowne,  
That was so noble and mighty in his live,  
As sundry auctors his high renown desrive.  
But soothfastly for all his excellence,  
He might not make no diffence,  
With all his knights that his banner sew,  
Conspired murdre to void and eschew,  
Rescuse was none that he could make.  
For which alas I feel my pen quake,  
That doth mine ink blot on my book.  
Oh mighty god that with thine inward look,  
Seest every thing through thy eternal might,  
Why wilt thou not of equit and of right,  
Punish and chastise so horrible a thing,  
And specially the murder of a king.  
Alas the pain of Ixion in hell,  
Or of Manes that with Satan dwell.  
Were not equal nor equipolent,  
To venge murdre nor sufficient,  
For it exceedeth in comparison,  
All felony falsehood and treason.  
Wherefore oh lord that seest and knowest all.  
Through thy power that is eternal,  
Suffer no such to live upon the ground,  
Worse than Tiger or Cerberus the hound,  
That chained lieth bound at hell gate,  
Which of malice plainly though he hate,  
He berketh first or he do offence.  
But murder gladly is wrought in silence,  
Or men advert or take any keep,  
¶ Alas a Prince to slay him in his sleep,  
On his pillow when he sleepeth soft.  
That crieth wretch to high god aloft,  
And asketh vengeance to take as fast,  
Though it abide it will out at the last.  
Alas a king spoken of so far,  
That was so worthy outward in the were,  
His cruel fate passing odious.  
disposed hath in his own house,  
His mortal end to be execute,  
Against which there was no refute,  
For right as he his ship to land set,  
The queen Clemestra on the strand him met.  
With humble cheer and look full benign,  
And showed out full many faithful sign,  
Of wisely truth in her countenance,  
Albe in heart there was variance,  
Not perceived plainly in her face,  
Whom the king goodly did embrace,  
As he in sooth that but troth mente,  
And to his palace the high way he went,  
Not adverting the treason that was shape,  
The which alas he might not escape,  
Of the falsehood he could nothinke feel,  
But I ne may no longer it consele,  
Again her lord how Clemestra wrought.  
For on her bond of wedlock she ne thought  
The true look soothly of spousal.  
Again her malice little might avail,  
Unto her lord her truth to conserve,  
Newfangilnesse caused to starve,  
Her old faith and her assurance,  
Her love abode on a fykell chance,  
Long absence had her heart apalled,  
She loved one that was Aegisthus called,  
Which afore all in her grace stood,  
That neither was of birth nor of blood,  
little or nought of reputacyowne,  
Nor renowned of manhood nor renown,  
Nor of knighthood nor of high prowess,  
But for his labour and his business,  
And good await upon her by night,  
Therefore he was best furthred in her sight.  
Such dread had she for to live alone,  
Sorowles so well she could groan,  
I can not say what life that she lad,  
Except that she by him a daughter had,  
And Exyona Guydo saith she hight,  
And unto him Clemestra behyght,  
assuring him upon pain of her head,  
He should reign when her lord were dead.  
And to enhaste this conclusion.  
Her worthy lord king Agamenon,  
The next night was murdered and yslain,  
By false Aegisthus and the queen full fain.  
No longer bode the story can you lere,  
But in all haste they wedded were yfere,  
And by her false and sleighty compassing,  
Of Messene she made him crowned king,  
And put him full in possession,  
¶ Alas that sin hath domination,  
To further wrong and abate right,  
For in this world falsehood hath more right.  
Full oft sith than hath ryghtwisenesse,  
And in the estate set of worthiness.  
Lo how the sin of adultery,  
Brought in murdre by conspiracy,  
Sin upon sin linked both twain.  
And embraced in the fiends chain  
Perpetually in hell to endure.  
Alas who shall himself full assure,  
From cruel murdre his body to withdraw.  
When that kings in their bed are slawe,  
Which bringeth in alienation,  
By extort title false succession,  
There may colour of pretence seem,  
But full straightly god shall after dame,  
And justly venge with due recompense,  
Intrusyon brought in by violence,  
And felly quite such horrible things,  
And sudden slaughter & specially of kings,  
Greatly to dread in every region.  
¶ And as I find that Agamenon,  
By Clemestra the false double queen.  
Had a son passing fair to seen,  
Right gracious in every man's sight,  
And Horestus the book saith that he hight,  
Wonder seemly and but young of age,  
And for great fear of this mortal rage,  
Lest he were slain as it was to dread,  
To anul his title that he not succeed,  
Him to preserve that he were not shent.  
King Taltibus with power hath him sent,  
Full secretly out of that country,  
Unto a king called Ydume.  
That held his sceptre and his royal seat,  
Full mightily in the land of Crete.  
And Carkasis named was the queen,  
That had a daughter called eke Climene,  
Borne to be heir of that region.  
And as it is made eke mention,  
This Horestes to reckon all thing,  
Was with the queen and also with the king,  
Cherished as well the story can you lere,  
As Climena their own daughter dear.  
And was eke kept and had in cherte,  
Fro point to point like to his degree,  
With attendance convenient and dew,  
To his estate that ever upon him sew.  
Of such as were most expert and sage,  
To govern him till he came to age,  
To rejoice if god gave him might,  
His heritage to which he had right,  
By clear descent if happy were his chance.  
Thus leave I him under governance.  
The young son of Agamenon,  
For I must make a digression,  
From this matter and tell of Diomedes,  
The adventures in Guydo as I read,  
His woeful fate and his pains smart,  
The which alas he might not asterte,  
As is remembered plainly in writing,  
That Oetes son of the rich king,  
Called Naulus as ye have herd toforne,  
Such heaviness in his heart hath borne,  
Unto Greeks repeyringe home fro Troy,  
That his lust and his inward joy,  
Was them to hinder both high and low,  
And cause why to you it is unknown,  
To them he was so passing envious.  
In will and thought alike desirous,  
If he might soothly this no les,  
The death to venge of Pallamides,  
Like as tofore the story can devise,  
To you that be so prudent and so wise.  
And how Oetes now of malice wrought,  
And traitorously new mean sought,  
If he might by any manner way,  
Diomedes unwarely to destroy,  
Of all this thing I cast not to fail,  
seriously to make rehearsal.   

IN Grece was a kingdom wide & large,  
conjunctly in one Calidonye and Arge,  
Full abundant of richesse and of rent.  
Of which the king called was Pollente,  
A worthy man and of noble fame,  
And had a son Assandrus was his name,  
And a daughter passing fair of sight.  
And soothly Egra I find that she height,  
And for her father like as write Guydo,  
Had no more but these children two,  
For them he hath of wisdom so provided,  
This mighty reign for to be divided,  
atween them two after his decease,  
Each with his part for to live in peace,  
To exclude them fro indigence or need.  
And she was wife unto Diomedes,  
Albe tofore the story of him said,  
That he whilom loved one Crysayde.  
I can not say where it was doubilnesse,  
But well wot I Guydo beareth witness,  
And in his book soothly saith none other.  
And how Assandrus his own wives brother  
Full lusty fresh and full of manlyhead,  
To Troy went with this diomed,  
But in the sea fordriven up so down,  
They rived up in the region,  
Called Boece all disconsolate,  
With tempest drive weary and full mate,  
Them to refresh and for none other thing.  
In which land Thelephus was king,  
Of whose rivayle when he heard sayne,  
In his heart he had high disdain,  
That they were bold to do so great offence,  
To enter his ground having no licence.  
And yet in sooth they did no damage,  
To high nor low of no manner age,  
Nor took nought that might disavayle,  
Unto that land but it were victual,  
For which they paid justly at the fine,  
For flesh and fish and for bread and wine.  
Yet for all that of indignaciowne,  
King Thelaphus is descended down,  
With great array to harm them if he might.  
And so they 'gan to bicker and to fight,  
And Assandrus full of high prowess,  
Like a Lion his foemen 'gan oppress,  
And wonder knightly the field upon them won,  
And slew that day many worthy man,  
Of high courage and of manly pride.  
And when the king which that stood aside,  
Saw his men slain on every part,  
Of high disdain hent anon a dart,  
And cast at him alas the mortal fate,  
And pierced hath through mails & through plate,  
Of Assandrus that he fell down dead,  
The soil about of his blood all red,  
His deadly wound so began to bleed.  
And wood as Tiger though came diomed,  
And him to avenge bare him like a knight,  
Sleeth and killeth and put them unto flight  
And after that such sorrow 'gan to make.  
Of knightly routh for his brother's sake  
That he ne wist what was best to do.  
But as I find mid of all his woe,  
From beast and foul the dead corpse to save,  
Like his estate he let make a grave,  
And buried him after rites old.  
¶ But Oetes to his sister told,  
That he was slain by fraud of diomed,  
To fine that he might full possede,  
The reign of Arge hole without strife,  
With the purpartye annexed to his wife.  
For by his death he might season take.  
And told her eke that she was forsake,  
This fair Egra for all her womanhood.  
Of her lord called diomed.  
All this he told in hell be he chained.  
And overmore he forged hath and feigned,  
How of envy Assandrus lost his life,  
And how her lord hath take an other wife,  
That was to her dishonour and shame,  
And passingly great slander to her name,  
In prejudice ydone of her estate.  
All this he told to make them at debate,  
Like as he wrote in conclusion.  
To Clemestra of Agamenon,  
Which her heart made sore grieve,  
For he put her fully in believe,  
Of all the treason ye have heard me told,  
That for ire she pale was and cold,  
unkindness so her heart slayeth,  
And heaviness of her brother's death.  
For never yet Guydo doth assure,  
No woman loved better a creature,  
Than she loved him in no manner age,  
For first at nought she set her heritage,  
In comparison of her brother's life.  
Lo how Oetes made a new strife,  
As ye have herd in the story read.  
That guiltless worthy diomed,  
When he hath long at the siege lain,  
And to his kingdom would have come again  
By migyhty hand of this worthy queen,  
And her lieges that assented been.  
He was exiled out of that region,  
There may be made no mediation.  
Thus in himself mate and despaired,  
disconsolate he is again repaired,  
To Salerne a land of great richesse,  
Where that Tenter through his worthiness  
With crown & Sceptre had reigned long,  
With his lieges and his knights strong,  
And brother was to Ajax's Thelamon,  
Murdered tofore as made is mention.  
And diomed poor and destitute,  
May in Salerne find no refute.  
For when Tenter first 'gan him espy,  
He sewed him by full great envy,  
Having to him aye suspection,  
touching the death of king Thelamon.  
¶ But diomed on a certain night,  
Full secretly hath taken him to flight.  
And fro Salerne fast 'gan him high,  
In hope to find better remedy.  
Help or succour in some other place.  
If fortune would grant him grace,  
For of himself ashamed and confuse,  
As man forsake abject and refuse.  
Right so fared he wand'ring to and fro,  
As he that ne wist what was best to do.   

But I find the Trojan Aeneas,  
That all this while still at Troy was,  
Only of routh and compassyowne,  
To support them that were left of the town,  
Being always of their life in doubt.  
Of their foemen round beset about,  
As they that lived for lack of an heed,  
continually in mischief and in dread,  
Knowing no refute nor comfort in this case,  
Till by counsel of this Aeneas,  
To support them in this great need,  
They sent in haste for this diomed,  
Knowing full well his desolation,  
How he was proscrypt fro his region,  
beseeching him of manhood and of ruth,  
Him to enhaste without any sloth,  
With all the stuff that he get can,  
And soldiers also manly every man,  
Without abode and to Troy them lead,  
To succour them in this great need.  
¶ And diomed came and tarried nought,  
At their request as he was besought,  
To relieve them in this sharp shower,  
And with him brought many a souldeour.  
And Aeneas on the way him met,  
In friendly wise and into town him fet,  
And to him made passingly great cheer,  
And there they 'gan to commune yfere,  
Their adventures both of land and sea,  
Intermeddled with great adversity.  
That no man may devoid nor eschew,  
But take his part as it to him is dew,  
As sort or hap doth his bridle lead.  
And in this story shortly to proceed,  
Cely Troyans that were almost shent,  
With their foemen of isles adjacent,  
That them beset about environ.  
But through the manhood & the high renown,  
Of diomed and his soldiers,  
And other knights noble werreours,  
They were rescued and helped utterly.  
And four days they fought by and by,  
In knightly wise defending the city,  
And through prowess also of Enee.  
They slew and took all that them withstood  
And in diffence of Troyanyshe blood,  
Such as they fond to the city false,  
They hang them up high by the halse.  
And punished them for their great wrong.  
¶ And diomed thus 'gan wax strong,  
By long process as made is mention,  
Chief protector now of Troy town,  
That envy none by a large space,  
Durst abide that he had grace,  
To his ligeance so he made them lout,  
And thus his name spread 'gan about,  
That of his fame the great opinion,  
dilated is unto the region,  
By swift report to Calydonye and Arge,  
Which the queen greatly 'gan to charge.  
And atoned when he taketh heed,  
His power 'gan and his might to dread,  
Lest he would her land upon her win,  
And of knighthod a were new begin,  
And secretly 'gan muse on this thing,  
That her lord and her mighty king,  
Late exiled and yput to flight,  
Hath grace found in fortune's sight,  
And is remonuted to high estate.  
Whereof she was in herself check mate,  
And ways cast as he that was prudent.  
By hole advise of her parliament.  
Without grudging or rebellion,  
Him to revoke to his region.  
¶ And thereupon to him lowly sent,  
And with letters the messenger forth went,  
The cause annulling by which he was exiled,  
And how he was fully reconciled,  
By hole assent of his lieges all,  
And full lowly everichone they call,  
For their offence and of their trespass,  
Without rigour for to do them grace.  
And he anon like a manly knight,  
More of mercy soothly then of right,  
When he hath their sonde well conceived,  
And their meaning fully apparceyved,  
To stint all strife thought for the best.  
In goodly wise to grant their request,  
And to his reign within a certain day,  
He is repaired in full rich array,  
Of whose coming full glad his lieges been,  
And reconciled both he and the queen,  
And all rancour of any old offence,  
Only of wisdom they put in suspense,  
And of one heart a blissful life they lead,  
In Troy book no more of him I read.  
But let him live in felycytee.  
Again resorting to tell of Even,  
After how he hath his time spent,  
Which is fro Troy with many Trojan went,  
His ships stuffed he and his main,  
Be sailed forth by many strange sea,  
Many danger and many straight passage,  
Tofore or he arrived in Cartage,  
leading with him his father Anchises.  
And by the way I find that he les,  
His wife Crewsa by fatal adventure.  
But all the woe that he did endure,  
Who so list seriously to seen,  
And how that he falsehood the queen.  
I mean Dido of womanhood flower,  
That gave to him her richesse & treasure,  
jewels and gold & all that might him please,  
And every thing that might do him ease.  
¶ But for all that how he was unkind,  
Read Eneydos and there ye shall it find,  
And how that he falsely stolen away,  
By night time while she a bed lay,  
And of his conquest also in ytayle,  
Where he had many strong battle,  
His adventures and his works all,  
And of the fine that is to him fall,  
Ye may all see by sovereign style,  
From point to point compiled in Virgile,  
Write and made sithen go full yore.  
For Troy book speaketh of him no more,  
¶ But proceedeth as I shall indite,  
How Horestes cast him for to quite,  
His father's death plainly and not spare,  
If ye list hear as Guydo doth declare.   

IT is required of equit and of right,  
Of that judge that is most of might,  
And equally holdeth his balance,  
On death conspired for to do vengeance.  
The voice of blood doth so aye contune,  
To cry wretch with clamour importune,  
On them in sooth that it injustly shed,  
For murder wrought will have his equal meed  
And his guerdon as he hath deserved,  
They may not i'll the judgement reserved,  
Of him that sit highest in his throne,  
And all beholdeth by himself alone,  
Full rightfully the noble mighty king.  
For though he suffer he forget nothing,  
But all considereth in his in inspectyon,  
And for the murder of Agamenon,  
The mighty lord that is most sovereign good  
Made of minister of the same blood,  
Young Horestes full of high prowess,  
To execute his doom of ryghtwisenesse,  
And gave to him grace power and might.  
And he anon took the order of a knight,  
Of Ydumeus like as it is told,  
When he was four and twenty winter old  
Fresh and lusty and wonderly prudent.  
And inwardly desirous of intent,  
If fortune would him not with sayne,  
His heritage to recure again.  
¶ Which Egistas falsely him denieth,  
And the crown unjustly occupieth,  
By false title of her that was his wife.  
¶ But Horest's will jeopardy his life,  
And adventure while him lasteth breath,  
first to be venged on his father's death,  
Upon them though that the treason wrought.  
And alderfyrst full lowly he besought,  
¶ King Ydinne of his goodlyhead,  
To further him in this great need.  
¶ And the king benignly anon,  
Assigned hath with him for to gone,  
A thousand knights manly and right strong,  
To redress the great horrible wrong,  
Of Aegisthus wrought by violence,  
And by his wisdom and his diligence.  
This Horestes 'gan him so purueye,  
Within a while there is no more to say,  
That he him got the story will not lie,  
another thousand to his company,  
Of worthy knights all of one accord,  
To go with him as with their sovereign lord  
In every thing his biding to obey,  
As ye have herd Aegisthus to warray.  
¶ And thus Horestes in full rich array,  
'Gan host and made no delay,  
And his lodging alderfyrst 'gan cheese,  
In a City that called was Troyese.  
received there with great revernece,  
Of the king that named was Forence,  
A manly knight as books specify,  
And bare in heart passing great envy,  
To Aegisthus by double occasion.  
first for the death of Agamenon,  
And eke for he had a daughter dear,  
That was to him inwardly enter,  
Both good and fair & but young of age,  
That whilom was given in marriage,  
To Aegisthus but he of doubilnesse,  
Of false treason and newfangilnesse,  
The kings daughter hath utterly forsake.  
And in all haste did a libel make,  
And forge a writ of repulsyon,  
Albe he had no true occasion,  
This Aegisthus that he her forsook.  
Save that he falsely to wive took,  
The queen Clemestra again all right & law  
When by assent they murdered have & slawe,  
Agamenon as it afore is told,  
That whilom was so mighty and so bold,  
And for the hateful false conspyrasye,  
As well of murder as adultery.  
To venge both by dew recompense,  
The worthy knight the mighty king Forence,  
Offered Horestes for to make him strong,  
And go with him to help venge his wrong  
And with him lad armed bright in steel,  
Four hundred knights horsed wonder weal  
Taking the field with a manly cheer.  
And so Horestes and the king yfeare,  
Be riden forth with many manly man.  
¶ But Horestes or he this were 'gan,  
When bright Phoebus in the bull shone.  
To the temple is full lowly gone.  
And to the gods in most best wise,  
With humble heart did sacrifice.  
Fully in hope the better for to far.  
Where he was bode for life nor death to spare,  
Without mercy or remission.  
The death to venge of Agamenon,  
¶ On Clemestra that was most to wite.  
And that he make first his sword to bite,  
On his mother with his hands twain.  
And overmore to do his busy pain,  
Without pity and no mercy show,  
On small pieces till she be to hew,  
And dismembered a sunder joint fro joint.  
And eke that he for yet not a point,  
justly to punish by rycoure and by right,  
¶ Aegisthus eke the false untrue knight,  
And that he be not slow nor negligent,  
To execute the commandment,  
Of the gods list what after fall.  
¶ And than Horestes with his knights all.  
¶ And Forenses the mighty king also,  
Of one heart be to the siege go,  
Of the city that called was Methene.  
Within which was the false queen,  
Clemestra god give her herd grace.  
And when Horestes syeged hath the place,  
With his knights set it round about.  
¶ False Aegisthus was yryden out,  
To gather men and to be a wreak,  
And fall upon and the siege break.  
¶ If he might on any manner side.  
And with great stuff thus he 'gan to ride,  
Taking up men fro every cost,  
Till he him made a full mighty host.  
¶ But Horeste which at the siege lay,  
His governance espieth day by day.  
And sent out men as he that was full sage,  
To stop ways and let his passage,  
And made knights a full huge rout,  
To pursue him every cost about.  
And of the siege manfully begun,  
By assault he hath the town ywonne,  
And entered in on a night full late,  
And set wards strong at every gate.  
And in a dungeon most strong & principal  
That was of building mighty and royal.  
This Horestes first his mother fond.  
¶ The queen Clemestra lady of that land,  
Which for dread sore 'gan to quake.  
But merciless anon he made her take,  
And put in chains till the next morrow.  
¶ And Aegisthus god give him evil sorrow,  
With all the stuff that he might accroche,  
Toward the town fast 'gan approach.  
¶ In purpose full Horestes for to grieve.  
And them within suddenly relieve.  
But all in sooth might not avail,  
For or that he the city might abayle.  
Horestes knights unwarely have him met  
And all at once proudly on him set.  
first slew his men & put them to flight,  
¶ And taken him maugre all his might,  
And with chains like as they him find,  
Mercyles full fast they him bind,  
And shut him up fetryd in prysowne.  
And all false found in the town.  
That were assented willing or helping,  
To the murder of the worthy king.  
Greeks workers and conspirators,  
Again their lord ryfing as traitors,  
All were take and bound by rycour.  
The same night and shut up in a tour,  
Till on the morrow like as the lot be draw,  
everich of them under fonge his law,  
Like his decerte exception was none.  
And when the night passed was and gone.  
And Phoebus rose eastward in his sphere,  
And on the towers shone full bright & clear.  
¶ When Clemestra rote of all falsehood,  
Was brought forth quaking in her dread,  
¶ Before Horestes to judgement yfet.  
He with a sword sharp and keen ywhet,  
Like as the gods charged him toforne,  
On pieces small he hath her all to shorn,  
And made her bear out of the towns bounds  
To be voured of beasts and of hounds,  
pity was none in his breast reserved,  
But quit her fully as she hath deserved.  
Fro point to point and forgot right nought.  
And then chained Aegisthus was forth brought  
And justly dempt by rigour of the law,  
Of an herdell naked to be draw,  
Through the town that all might see,  
And after high hanged on a tree,  
For to rot and dry against the son.  
Lo how murdre hath his guerdon won,  
Lo how falsehood his master can awake.  
¶ And all the traitors in the town tale,  
Were on gallows enhanged everichone.  
Till they were severed asunder bone fro bone  
high on an hill again the stars sheen.  
Thus was the town fro treason purged clean,  
And with troth augmented and ymored,  
And to his reign Orestes full restored,  
As the story sewing shall expone,  
And of the day when he took his crown.   

ANd when the mist & every cloudy sky,  
Of false treason and conspiracy,  
Were tried out upon every side,  
The falsehood had no place to abide,  
The story saith in order rehearsing.  
The same time Menelay the king,  
Out of the sea full of waves wet,  
Fro Troyewarde yrived was in Crete,  
Freely escaped many dread and pain,  
With his queen the goodly fresh Heleyne.  
And for cause she was so famous fair,  
Great was the pres and marvelous repair  
From every part her beauty to behold,  
For whom Troy with walls not full old,  
Destroyed was the noble royal town,  
And many man full worthy of renown,  
Hath lost his life there may no man say nay,  
All for Heleyne wife to Menelay.  
When thing is done it may be none other.  
But when this king knew fully of his brother,  
Agamenon murdre and everydele,  
He was full trist and liked nothing weal,  
But inwardly felt full great smart,  
¶ And his nephew he had also at heart,  
I mean Orestes that so merciless,  
Like a tyrant that were graceless,  
His mother slew and had no pity,  
Of mortal ire in his cruelty.  
And fully cast that he would bline,  
Of sceptre and crown platly him deprive,  
Full afferminge of this mortal case,  
By all law that he unworthy was,  
His father's reign as heir to possede,  
justly considered his horrible deed.  
And all at one's furious and wroth,  
Without abode unto ship he goth,  
Melancolike in his great tene,  
Out of Crete sailing to Athene,  
And took the land out of ships board,  
Where duke Nestor was governor and lord  
Which them receiveth like a gentle knight,  
With all his power diligence and might.  
But Menelay of rancour and great heat,  
'Gan with the duke secretly to treat,  
To find a mean in his inward sight  
¶ For to deprive Orestes of his right.  
And thereupon to have a judgement,  
At Athenes was hold a Parliament,  
Of all the lords of that region,  
To give thereon a definition.  
In which was showed openly enough,  
How Orestes his own mother slough,  
And the manner of his great offence,  
Himself tho being in presence.  
And when this thing he fully did espy,  
For his party he 'gan again reply,  
As he that felt him freely at his large,  
For him alleging how he had in charge,  
Of the gods shortly to declare,  
His mortal sword that he not ne spare,  
Upon Clemestra root of false treason,  
That slew her lord king Agamenon,  
And the murdre through her malice wrought  
Wherefore Orestes humbly besought,  
The lords all with a manly heart,  
Of equit consydre and advert,  
For no malice rancour nor for rage,  
Him to deprive of his heritage,  
Sith he was son of Agamenon  
Borne to be heir of that region,  
As ye have herd that called was Methene,  
Albe his mother Clemestra the queen,  
Compassed had his destruction.  
¶ But duke Nestor ymeved of reason,  
In sustaining of Horestes right,  
Rose up anon like a manly knight,  
Offering himself proudly for his sake,  
This high quarrel for to undertake,  
With his body to the death dareign.  
With whom that list his title to withseyne.  
¶ But there was none in all that company,  
That durst a word again him reply.  
So hole he stood in his opinion,  
And by his knightly mediation.  
He bore him so feigning in nothing,  
That Horestes was ycrowned king,  
Of Meneste all being of assent.  
And when dissolved was the parliament.  
This Horestes of his lieges true,  
received was with a crown new,  
And by treat of lords many one.  
King Menelay and he were made atone,  
And 'gan their Ire and their rancour let.  
¶ And Ydume the worthy king of Crete,  
So prudently governeth this matter.  
That Hermyone the young daughter dear,  
¶ Of Menelay and the queen Heleyne,  
So young so fresh of beauty sovereign,  
Ywedded was without more tarrying,  
To Horestes the young lusty king.  
And because of this alliance,  
devoided was all rancour and distraunce,  
atween the kings Menelay the old,  
And Horestes of whom right now I told.  
Thus leave I them as it was the best,  
Each in his reign live in peace and rest.  
For all strife was ceased in this case.  
¶ But Erygona that the daughter was,  
Of Aegisthus as ye have heard me tell,  
For sorrow and dread list no longer dwell,  
But took a rope and list nothing to spare.  
And therewithal 'gan herself to gnare.  
The story saith high upon a tree.  
This was her fine ye get no more of me,  
But I will forth seriously entreat,  
Of the story to tell you the great.   

OH Vlixes by order in my writing,  
Thine adventures come on the ring.  
Full wonderful both on land and sea,  
Entermedlyd with great adversity.  
For Guydo first descryving thy repair,  
Saith how thou found wether foul & fair  
Now agreeable now the thunder sown,  
Now still and smooth now which clouds frown  
And saith also that thou didst ordain,  
To thy passage mighty ships twain.  
appareled all for merchandise,  
That thou mightest in most secret wise,  
Every mischief of the sea escape.  
¶ But for all that thou hadst a fell jape,  
For as this author thy resort doth write,  
He saith ulyxes for all his words white.  
Yrobbed was of richesse and of good,  
contrarious wind so again him stood.  
That he was drive to his confusion,  
In to the mighty strong region,  
Where Thelamon reigned by his live.  
And there he was hent and take blyue.  
¶ By mighty hand seized by the breast,  
And merciless put under arrest.  
For they him had suspect in working.  
touching the murder of the same king,  
But he so wrought by his sleighty wile,  
And his tale set in such a style,  
That them all he plainly hath be iaped.  
And fro their hand freely is escaped.  
Except that he for all his quaint fare,  
Of his treasure was maked full bare.  
And for his passage was to him uncouth,  
He fell again into the wolves mouth.  
For verily as it is specified,  
King Naulus men have him eft espied,  
Take and bound and chained merciless,  
For the murder of king Pallamydes.  
¶ But the story rehearseth in certain,  
By his prudence he scaped is again,  
For he was both expert wise and old.  
Although the manner be not fully told,  
Of his escape through his busy pain,  
Out of danger of these kings twain.  
Till through fortune he came fro mischief free  
To the presence of king Ydume,  
In simple array and torn apparel.  
Whereof the king greatly 'gan marvel,  
To see his poverty in so low manner.  
But for all that he made him good cheer,  
Though that time ye were infortunate.  
He him receiveth like to his estate.  
And when they were both twain alone,  
In complaining Vlixes made his moan,  
Unto the king as he that was full sage,  
seriously the sort of his passage,  
With face sad and a sober cheer,  
From point to point anon as ye shall hear.  
¶ My lord quoth he shortly to express,  
Of trust I have in your gentleness,  
I shall to you my adventures all,  
Rehearse here right as it is fall.   

first when that I Troy land forsook,  
And the water with my ships took.  
I was anon with wind peaceably blow,  
To an isle which was to me unknown,  
¶ Called Mirma of great abundance,  
And all thing that was to my pleasance.  
That may for silver or for gold be bought,  
I ready found and wanted right nought.  
And there abode full long while in joy,  
With the treasure that I got at Troy.  
My ships stuffed my men safe and sound,  
And for commodity of that ilk ground,  
We liked so the country environ.  
That for disport and recreation,  
Our tarrying there we thought not full long,  
For no man did unto us no wrong.  
Till on a day that the eyer was still,  
The wind also fully at our will.  
We sailed for the in quiet and in peace,  
Unto a port called Claustafages,  
wherewith my main long and many day,  
I found all thing according to my pay,  
The wether lusty agreeable and fair.  
But who may trust other wind or air,  
For upon faith of the smooth sky,  
Again to ship fast I 'gan me high,  
Tarried nought but took anon the sea,  
Smooth and calm enduring days three,  
That in the wether found was no lack,  
But suddenly the heaven turneth black,  
The hideous tempest and the wawes green,  
Out of hope have me despaired clean,  
Troubled my spirit & made me so pensive,  
Without refute to escape with the life.  
Tossed and driven by many sundry isle.  
Till the last cast up at Cecyle,  
Recuringe land with great annoy & pain,  
Where that time reigned kings twain.  
And as I can remember doubtless,  
The tone of them called Sorygines,  
Which unto me full contrarious was.  
¶ And the t'other named Coclopas,  
Brethren of birth and in conclusion,  
Ylike cruel of condition.  
For though my sort had shape for the nonce  
¶ Both twain fell on me at once,  
Oppressing in full great distress,  
spoiled my ships of treasure and richesse,  
And for pity liked not to spare,  
Till I was left destitute and bare,  
Of all my good alas my mortal chance.  
And most of all was to me grievance,  
When of my gold they may no more restrain  
They sent down their mighty sons twain  
¶ Alipham that was full large and long,  
¶ And Polypheme the mighty gianut strong,  
Which on my men to avenge them wereful fame  
That they of them have an hundred slain,  
disarrayed to stand at diffence,  
And of malice with sudden violence,  
They took me for mischief almost lost.  
¶ And Alphenor mine own brother sworn  
And hatefully as they have us found,  
In chains cast and in stocks bound,  
And after that ylocked in prison.  
And for to make platly mention.  
This mighty man this great Polypheme,  
A sister had shortly for to dame,  
One of the fairest that ever yet was borne,  
She might in beauty so be set aforne,  
Nature her gave such a prerogative,  
A clean maid soothly and no wife,  
Flouringe both in fairness and bounty.  
Whom Alphenor when he did see,  
Albe he was fettered in prison.  
For love he lost wit and eke reason,  
And wax all mad so narrow she did him bind  
Save upon her always was his mind,  
And closed aye was his perilous wound,  
And six months thus we lay bound,  
¶ Both he and I to say the plat truth.  
Till Polypheme had upon us ruth,  
And through his grace and mediation,  
He quit us free out of that prison.  
And showed us of mercy and pite,  
After our sorrow great humanity.  
¶ But Alphenor ylike of one intent,  
Was with the bronde of Cupid brent.  
And felt his part with many mortal fit  
Till he so wrought with his subtle wit.  
That on a night who was leef or loath,  
He stolen this maid and his way he goeth,  
Through help of men with him at that time  
¶ But on the morrow at the hour of prime,  
¶ Poliphemus 'gan us for to sew,  
Whose mighty hand we might not eschew.  
And such assault on us they 'gan make,  
That of force they have the maid take,  
¶ From Alphenor maugre all his rage.  
And Polypheme unto my damage,  
With his knights so sore upon me lay,  
That I might uneath scape away.  
To save myself compassed environ,  
To death pursued of that champion.  
But when I saw there was no other gain,  
To i'll death shortly for to say,  
While this giant most fiercely on me set,  
With my sword out his eye I smet,  
And unto ship with my company,  
I fled in haste that no man might espy,  
¶ Where I became nor Alphenor my fere.  
And when the waves 'gan for to clear,  
And gracious wind 'gan to us awake,  
That country we have anon forsake,  
It was not wholesome for us to abide.  
But of this man like as write ovid.  
¶ Poliphemus the Giant out of dread,  
Had an eye amid of his forehead  
Which Vlixes smote out at a stroke,  
And like the brows of a branched oak.  
Was all his heir and his long beard,  
On whom to look children were afeard.  
And when that he had lost his sight,  
Among the hills he runneth day & night,  
In a rage to find him some refuge,  
Cast rocks and great stones huge,  
On every part environ the country,  
On Vlixes avenged for to be.  
Thus saith ovid in conclusion,  
In his book of transformation,  
Metamorphoseos there ye may it see,  
When so ever that your leisure be,  
seriously the story for to read.  
And in my writing forth I will proceed,  
How Vlixes with face dead and pale,  
To Ydume told forth his tale.  
rehearsing thus surprised and awaked,  
Fro Polypheme when we were escaped,  
Through our unhap and infelicyte,  
Into an isle mids of the sea,  
We were drive when it 'gan to night.  
And Elidium that little kingdom hight,  
Where that Circe's the great enchantress,  
Thilk time was lady and goddess,  
That could her craft so wonderly perform,  
All suddenly a man for to transform,  
To have the likeness and lose his reason,  
Of Horse, of Bear, Tiger or lion.  
Wolf or For or what her list devise,  
Her dreadful craft was shapen in such wise.  
So mighty were her strange potions,  
Her letuaries and confections.  
And she also so fair upon to see,  
That though her power no man might i'll.  
For by the work of this sorceress,  
I was so founced upon her fairness,  
That finally thus with me it stood,  
That all a year I with her abode,  
And paynly had power none nor might,  
For to deparie neither day nor night.  
So lusty was the life that I lad,  
In which time by me a child she had,  
Right inly fair and goodly to the sight,  
And Thelagonius in soothness he hight,  
Which afterward I well rehearse can,  
By process wax a manly man.  
And by my subtle secret providence  
Of her craft I had experience,  
That maugre her enchantments old,  
I stolen away she might me not hold.  
And finally my fate to conclude.  
With my cunning her craft I can delude,  
That with my men I scaped fro her hand,  
And went at large fire out of her land.  
But all this thing me little did avail,  
For on my way as I 'gan to sail,  
For all my sleight in a little while,  
Yblowe was up into an isle,  
¶ Where Calipha sister to Circe's,  
Was crowned queen & held her sceptre in peace  
Whose crafts were so mighty and so strong,  
Maugre my will she held me there full long.  
But she in sooth to speak of womanhood,  
Of bounty freedom and of goodlyhead,  
Surely had so sovereign excellence,  
That mine abode to me was none offence,  
But who soever thereat cry or clap,  
At the last I scaped fro her trap,  
And came to an isle right as any line,  
Which specially through high power divine,  
Ordained is of yore by miracle,  
As it were a spiritual oracle.  
A man to have in a temple there,  
Sudden answer of what him list inquire,  
Of questions and demands all,  
And of souls what shall eke befall,  
When men are dead and graven under stone.  
And I 'gan axe in the temple anon.  
Mine adventures that should after sew,  
And where a man might his fate eschew,  
And of all this like to mine intent,  
I had answer full convenient.  
Save what befalleth when a soul is gone,  
definition unto me was none,  
Such thing to assoil accordeth not to right  
It is reserved unto gods might,  
And exceedeth reason and wit of man.  
And fro thence forth to sail I 'gan,  
Driven with wind and no part succoured.  
Where I was like to have be devoured.  
¶ Of Karibdes with his profound well,  
Where Syrines' Meremaydens dwell,  
That fro the breast with scales silver sheen,  
Be of their shape fishes fresh and clean.  
And overmore kind doth compass,  
Them to appear feminine of face,  
Like virgins that were of nature,  
Without spot undefouled pure,  
And of custom in waves as they fleet,  
The song of them is so heavenly sweet,  
So aungelike and full of harmony.  
That verily the sugared melody,  
ravish would any man alive,  
Of inly joy almost his heart rive,  
Make a man of sudden high pleasance,  
Forget himself and lose his remembrance,  
devoid him clean from his own thought,  
Till unwarely he be to mischief brought.  
And with their song or he take keep,  
He shall be brought in a mortal sleep,  
And they anon it may not be withdraw,  
Will drench his ship low under the wawe.  
Thus the sweetness of their heavenly sown  
Bringeth a man to confusion,  
Who so ever by their bonds pass.  
¶ But with the life I scaped by grace,  
For mine ears with wax and gums clear  
Were stopped so that I ne might hear,  
touch nor werble of their instruments,  
Whereby the reason of a man blinded is.  
And finally through my subtlety,  
I and my men be escaped free,  
Sailing forth all mate of weariness.  
Till we came up with full great distress,  
¶ At Phenice and took anon the land,  
Cast anchor and our ships band.  
But soothly there it fell us full unfair,  
¶ For the people cruel and contrary,  
Only of malice fell on me anon,  
And slew my men almost everichone,  
treasure and good little that I had,  
Was me bereft & all with them they lad,  
And few of them that were left alone,  
They took them and put in prison believe.  
Thus hath fortune lad me on her dance,  
With little joy and plenty of mischance.  
Of whose danger learned and expert,  
I am fall in mischief and poverty,  
And with great dole and sorrow full my breast  
On sea and land by South and not by East,  
I am come unto your presence,  
And have declared plainly in sentence,  
Min adventures to your worthiness,  
Of trust only and of faithfulness,  
That I have to you in special,  
And now I have rehearsed and told all,  
To your highness and my best wise,  
Without more to me it doth suffice.  
And though in heart he was constrained sore  
Thilk time Vlixes spoke no more,  
But held his peace full heavy in looking.  
¶ And Ydumeus like a gentle king,  
Comforted him all that ever he might,  
And busy was his heart for to light,  
And him besought his heaviness let.  
And as long as him list in Crete,  
With him abide he made him surety,  
He should far also as well as he,  
And not want of what may do him ease.  
And when his sorrow some what 'gan appease,  
That his rage drew unto an end,  
Leave he took and said he would wend,  
Out of that land home to his country.  
¶ But first the king of freedom and bounty,  
Gave unto him great richesse and array,  
And what soever was to his pay,  
Gold treasure and many other things.  
And at parting of these two kings,  
There were ships when you list to sail,  
Ready stuffed with main and victual,  
And thus Vlixes 'gan him ready make.  
And when he hath his leave fully take,  
He hasted him and took anon the sea,  
And 'gan to sail toward his country.  
But first he went to king Alphenon,  
Which passingly had affection,  
To see Vlixes at his home coming.  
And desirous over all thing,  
To have of him newly acquaintance.  
For unto him was inly great pleasance,  
To hear him talk for his eloquence,  
For his wisdom and his high prudence,  
And there he was after all his smart,  
received plainly with as glad an heart,  
As ever yet was any manner man,  
Sithen time that the world began.  
¶ And to increase of his felicity,  
There heard me first of Penolopee,  
His true wife without spot of blame,  
Of whom yet green is the noble fame,  
Which from her lord for all his long absence,  
In thought nor deed never did offence.  
But soothly was both in cheer and deed,  
Throughout Grece example of womanhood,  
And yet was she as books list express,  
Throughout the world mirror of fairness,  
And among Greeks borne of highest blood,  
Called of auctors both fair and good.  
And yet say books of her doubtless,  
Was never none that had so great press:  
But she her kept changing for no new,  
Unto her lord ever sicklike true,  
Of heart aye one not parted into twain,  
That she is called queen and sovereign,  
Of wifely truth in this books old.  
And oft I find her heart would cold,  
She turn pale fro her lord so far,  
In her closet to hear of the were,  
Of dread she had and for fear eke quake,  
Of fantasies for her lords sake,  
For his absence both eve and morrow,  
Was death unto her and importable sorrow.  
And aye in sooth for joy or any game.  
When it fell she heard Hector's name,  
In any place anon she fell a swoon,  
And 'gan herself in tears drown,  
Of womanhood so she was afeard,  
To hear the slaughter of his mortal sword  
Lest her lord of knightly surquidry,  
Had of fortune fall in jeopardy,  
Of had or sort to a met that worthy knight  
That seld or never she felt her heart light.  
And many dream on nights did her gast,  
All the while that the siege last.  
And every play was venom in her sight,  
When that she was from her own knight.  
For in this world joy had she none,  
Of high nor low plainly but of one,  
For whose sake all mirth she refuseth,  
And who so be that in his heart museth,  
Of any woman any thing but good,  
Of melancholy moved in his blood,  
Let him advert of wisdom and ysee,  
And remember on Penolope,  
For his desert lest that he be blamed.  
And oh Guido thou shouldest be ashamed,  
To say of wives any thing but weal,  
For in good faith as far as I can feel,  
Though one or two do among offence.  
She that is good through her providence,  
Is thereof nothing for to wit.  
And though Guydo in his books indite.  
¶ The variance of Heleyne or Criseyde,  
¶ Or Medea that for sorrow died,  
Let the again of right and equity,  
The wifely troth of Penolope.  
The maidenhead of young Polycene,  
And the goodness of Hecuba the queen.  
Of Cassandra eke the steadfastness,  
And with all this take the unkindness,  
Of Pantasyll without variance,  
And put all this together in balance.  
And ye shall find if ye list account,  
Maugre who grudgeth troth shall surmount  
I dare affirm and bear the prize,  
There will no man reply that is wise,  
He were to feeble in his opinion.  
¶ And while Vlixes was with Alphenon,  
It was to him made relation,  
Of an hateful conspiratyon.  
That certain lords environ his country,  
ravish would his queen Penolope.  
Maugre all though that were there again.  
Albe that she was ever sicklike plain,  
In her truth steadfast as a wall,  
Yet they have cast platly that she shall,  
Be take of force it may not be eschewed,  
But it so be in haste she be rescued.  
For they them cast the time not aiourne,  
For day and night with her they sojourn.  
Inly in heart for love disamayde,  
But of wisdom she hath them so belayed,  
There was none so manly nor so sage,  
That could of her get advantage.  
So advise s; he was in her working.  
And when Vlixes conceiveth all this thing  
And fully knew by open evidence,  
And had also in special credence,  
¶ Sent unto him fro Penolope,  
The matter hole declaring in secretee,  
¶ His own son Thelamonius,  
He wax in heart wood and furious,  
And would make no dilation.  
¶ But in all haste besought Alphenon,  
The mighty king of his high bounty,  
To relieve him in his adversity,  
And that he would through his mighty hand,  
Of gentillesse convey him to his land.  
He granteth him and say not ones nay,  
And both two in full great array,  
Took the sea when the wind was good,  
Well fortuned for nothing them withstood.  
They be arrived and had no letting,  
Where Vlixes as ye have herd was king,  
And secretly in a night they were conveyed,  
To them that have his ligaunce disobeyed,  
And merciless or they might awake,  
In their beds they have them all take,  
Making no prolonging till on the morrow  
But in all haste for no wight durst them borrow  
Smet of their heads by judgement final,  
And set them upon the castle wall,  
Eueriche by other endlong the row,  
Upon the tour when the cock 'gan crow,  
And thus all night they kept themself close,  
Till that Phoebus merrily arose,  
In the Orient when the lark song,  
And though these kings with their main strong,  
Freshly beseen entre the cetee,  
Who was so glad but Penolope,  
Who made joy but this goodly queen,  
Full desirous her own lord to seen.  
¶ But if I should all in order set,  
The great mirth they made when they met,  
Make rehearsal of complaints old.  
And how they 'gan their hearts to unfold,  
Each to other and list nothing conceal,  
And the gladness that they inly feel,  
If I should put all in memory.  
The rejoicing and the hearty glory,  
That his lieges made at his coming.  
The cost eke they had at his meeting,  
The gifts great and presents rich,  
In all this world I trow none ylyche,  
It were to long tarrying for my book.  
And how that he new assurance took,  
Of his lords and lieges all,  
And how that they to his grace fall,  
The cheer he made eke to Alphenowne,  
Of gentleness through his high renown.  
And how the daughter inly debonair,  
Of Alphenon Nausica the fair,  
By Vlixes mediation.  
Ywedded was unto Thelamon,  
Borne by descent there may no man say nay,  
To rejoice his crown after his day.  
And thus came in by his purveyance,  
Of two reigns the mighty alliance,  
And how all this brought was to the knot,  
Men would dame plainly me to sot,  
To presume of opinion,  
For to delate a description.  
sithen Guydo touching but the chief,  
In this matter of style was but brief.  
¶ Shortly rehearsing how king Alphenon,  
repaired is home to his region,  
And Vlixes in his chief city,  
Abode still with Penolope.  
Where I him leave in joy and in solace,  
Till Atropos liketh to purchase,  
For to fyche finally the date,  
The thread to untwine of his lives fate.    

¶ How the translator writeth the stock of Pyrrhus by lineal dyscent, and how his father hight peleus, and his grandmother called Thetydes. Ca xxxviii.  

NOw must I full busy be a while,  
To direct the traces of my style,  
In discrivinge shortly of intent,  
The stock of Pyrrhus by lineal discente,  
Mine Author follow and be compendious.  
¶ whose old father height peleus  
His grandmother called Thetydes,  
Of which two came worthy Achilles,  
That at Troy by treason lost his life.  
And Dardanica called was his wife.  
¶ Pyrrhus mother and daughter as I read  
Unto the king called linseed,  
¶ Having a father that Atastus hight,  
Which in soothness all that ever he might,  
¶ Bear heavy heart to king peleus,  
To Achilles and also to Pyrrhus,  
To all the kin plainly on that side,  
And of malice rancour and of pride,  
And of envy in an hateful rage,  
¶ When peleus fall was in age,  
He bereft him both sceptre and crown,  
And from his see low alight him down,  
And into exile avail may no strife,  
He made him go with Thetydes his wife.  
Of high disdain gain may no grace.  
And in his heart 'gan day and night compace,  
The death of Pyrrhus keep him if ye can.  
And thereupon maliciously began,  
To shape a way by await lying,  
Him for to slay at his home coming.  
But this Pyrrhus from his treynes' free,  
Many danger escaped of the sea,  
Many wawe and many tempest wood,  
With great loss both of men and good,  
At Malasus alderfyrst 'gan land,  
A strong city a little from the strand,  
Where that he was refreshed wonder weal,  
And there he knew ground and every deal,  
first of Thexyle like as men him told,  
¶ Of Thetides and peleus the old,  
And how Atastus bore to him hatred,  
Unto the death whereof he 'gan dread,  
And thought he would as he that was right wise  
By some engine eschew his malice,  
And thereupon do his busy pain.  
¶ Now had Atastus other sons twain,  
¶ Menalippus and Polistenes,  
And a daughter called Thetydes.  
And all this while woeful peleus,  
In a castle old and ruinous,  
With Thetydes full of sorrow and care,  
For dread of death day and night 'gan dare,  
despaired in his unwieldy age,  
Recure to find of this mortal rage,  
Except that he had an hope of yore,  
That Pyrrhus should help him and restore  
At his repair when so that it fall.  
After whose coming often he 'gan call,  
The time curse that he so long abode.  
But when Pyrrhus all this understood,  
At Malasus by relacyowne,  
Full fast he 'gan haste out of the town.  
Took the sea and fast 'gan him high,  
Toward the land called thessaly.  
Of intent to make ordinance,  
On Atastus for to do vengeance.  
But alder first this Pyrrhus full prudent,  
Espies twain he tofore hath sent,  
To thessaly forth together gone.  
¶ And Crilippus named was the tone,  
And Adrastus named was his fere,  
They were expert them needeth not to lere.  
In whose exploit to more advantage.  
¶ This Pyrrhus hath direct his message,  
Of thessaly to a cytezyne,  
Called Assandrus a manner chamberlain,  
With peleus and whilom full secree,  
While he was flowering in felycytee.  
And when Pyrrhus in conclusion,  
knew all the sooth by relation,  
On sea nor land him ne list to tarry,  
Albe that he found the wind contrary.  
¶ But he escaped many dreadful stounds,  
Of thessaly approacheth to the bounds,  
For Aeolus that his lust obeyed,  
And of fortune wonderlye conveyed.  
He driven was as it were by grace,  
So arrive in the same place,  
Where peleus in a doleful cave,  
For dread of death lay himself to save.  
Sole save his wife withouten any feres,  
All enclosed with bushes and with briares,  
And Pyrrhus there went up first to land,  
Sole by himself walking on the strand,  
pensive and trist and his way took,  
¶ Where peleus in a cave quoke,  
Having with him though no other guide,  
Save his sword hanging by his side,  
And unwarely with a dreadful heart,  
¶ peleus out of the cave start,  
Dismayed of his life in doubt,  
When he beheld a knight there walk about,  
And atoned abode and stood full still  
Ymagyninge that he saw Achille,  
¶ By this Pyrrhus standing in the place,  
By all the signs showed in his face.  
For nature without variance,  
Made them so like of cheer and countenance  
Of form of shape and limbs everichone,  
That difference in effect was none.  
¶ And peleus without longer space,  
'Gan anon Pyrrhus to embrace,  
And enbrayde out of his deadly thought,  
And for joy set all his sorrow at nought,  
And 'gan to him by and by declare,  
Both his exile and his evil fare,  
His piteous life his poverty and mischance,  
And fortunes false variance.  
And of Atastus the fervent hoot envy,  
The cruelty and the tyranny,  
seriously he told Pyrrhus all,  
And he full sober stood still as a wall,  
With face pale and in heart wroth,  
speechless to ship again he goth,  
And there he was informed doubtless,  
That Menalippus and Polistenes,  
And Atastus together all three.  
With huge array and a great main,  
The same day full surquedous of pride.  
Hunt in a forest little there beside.  
And when Pyrrhus thereof took good heed,  
Without abode change 'gan his weed,  
Full poorly rend and dismayed,  
Like a man that were disarayde,  
girt with his sword made no delay,  
But to the forest took the right way,  
Sole by himself without company,  
So secretly that no man might espy.  
And as he drough many divers bounds,  
He heard horns uncouplinge of hounds,  
And like a man that list make his moan,  
From sight of folk he drew him aye alone,  
And casually dissevered fro the press.  
¶ first he met with Polistenes,  
¶ Menalippus riding by his side,  
And both two on Pyrrhus 'gan abide,  
And boistously of him to inquire,  
From whence he came and also what he were,  
So feebly clad and of so poor estate,  
Walking there as he were desolate,  
And lowly he of cheer and countenance,  
Still and humble in his dalliance,  
Answered again and said how that he,  
fordriven was with mischief of the sea,  
And affirmed pale and nothing red,  
His fellowship drowned was and dead,  
Five hundred the waves were so rage,  
Of old and young and of middle age,  
And he escaped the tempest was so rife,  
As he them told uneath with the life.  
And overmore he told them platly eke,  
touching his birth that he was a greek,  
And went there destitute of joy.  
Late come fro the siege of Troy,  
And besought them tower his living,  
To help him with some refreshing,  
As him that had cattle lost and good,  
Like as they saw naked as he stood,  
praying also in hope it should avail,  
Him to relieve with clothing and victual,  
To his refute some what to provide.  
¶ And they bade him that he should abide,  
For they will wit plainly what he can.  
And that while beside them there ran,  
A full great heart down by the river.  
¶ And Menalippus pricked his courser,  
As it seemed it was to him dew,  
Through thin and thick only to pursue  
He spareth not but alway after road,  
And his brother with Pyrrhus' still abode,  
¶ Polistenes and took of it no heed,  
But in all haste alight fro his stead,  
On the green to rest him there beside,  
As he that was weary for to ride,  
Without main being himself sole,  
Listing of Pyrrhus' the complaint and the dole  
But suddenly or he might advert,  
Cruel Pyrrhus ran him to the heart,  
And left him dead lying on the plain.  
When Menalippus repeyred was again,  
saying his brother basking in his blood.  
And Pyrrhus eft furious and wood,  
With a face of colour pale and wan,  
To Menalippus in his ire ran:  
And slew him eke or that he took heed.  
And thus they lay on the ground and bleed,  
The brethren two with Pyrrhus' sword yslawe.  
And he anon aside 'gan him draw.  
meeting a knight were it of sort, or case,  
As saith the story called Cinaras,  
Of whom Pyrrhus 'gan in haste to inquire,  
Whose man he was or what he maketh there.  
To whom he said withouten tarrying,  
He servant was with the mighty king,  
Called Atastus' lord of that country.  
¶ And Pyrrhus though of deadly enmity,  
With cruel sword all fresh & red of blood,  
Ran him through out as any Lion wood,  
And after that the forest he forsook,  
And in all haste the right way he took,  
To ship again pale and black of hew.  
And 'gan anon to array him new,  
¶ All in purple which as clerks tells,  
For kings is and for no wight else.  
And then Pyrrhus' fresh and well beseyne,  
To the forest repaired is again.  
Where suddenly of hap in his walking,  
In short while he meeteth with the king,  
¶ old Atastus that asked of Pyrrhus,  
What man art thou that by thyself thus,  
Disconsolate here walkest to and fro.  
¶ Certes quoth Pyrrhus full of sorrow & wo.  
Inly surprised of hearty complaining,  
One of the sons to Priamus the king,  
I lately was now out of memory.  
Sith Troyans fall that whilom was in glory  
Now refewteles and into mischief brought,  
Thus walk I sole full of care and thought,  
far in exile out of Troy town,  
With cruel Pyrrhus to live in prison,  
Bound unto him though me be full loath,  
My hand assured with full many oath,  
To serve his lust aye in captivity,  
Lo here is all thus standeth it with me,  
Atastus though of full entention,  
After many an other question,  
inquired of him as in his dalliance,  
If he ought knew of Pyrrhus' governance  
Or if that he could ought understand,  
Where he him kept sith he came to land.  
Iwis quoth he if ye list him have,  
He keepeth him close lo in yonder cave.  
Among brusshayle with a shrouded face,  
Making a sign to the same place.  
And all was done for an ydellmase,  
For while the king thitherward 'gan gaze,  
Hasty Pyrrhus 'gan his sword outdrawe,  
In purpose fully Atastus to have slawe,  
But wonderly the story can you lere,  
¶ Queen Thetides d●d anon appear,  
Albe reigned with tears on her face,  
And 'gan the sword of Pyrrhus to embrace,  
praying him his deadly hand restrain.  
Hast thou not killed my young brethren twain  
And now alas my father hoar and grey,  
Merciless fro me wilt take away.  
Put up the sword and no blood ne shed,  
And have some pity upon thy kindred,  
And do advert clearly to the fine,  
How thou art come of the same line,  
And hateful is who so can look aright.  
Unkind blood in every man's sight.  
And Pyrrhus though as any Tiger wroth,  
Affirm 'gan with many sacred oath,  
That who so grudge or against plain,  
He shall him slay with his hands twain.  
¶ For hath not he by false extorsion,  
¶ Put peleus out of his region,  
Which is your lord and ye his true wife.  
That finally he shall lose his life,  
And here anon of mine hands die,  
In this matter there is no more to say,  
And peleus daring in the cave,  
But ye of grace list his life save,  
All other help platly is for nought.  
This peleus anon forth brought.  
Crooked and old unwieldy eke to see,  
And tofore Pyrrhus fell down on his knee,  
beseeching him with a piteous face,  
At his request take him to his grace.  
¶ And that he would in his manly heart,  
Goodly behold the deadly woe and smart,  
¶ Of Atastus and the mortal pain,  
That he though had for his sons twain.  
Which lay dead tofore him on the green,  
Slain with your sword that is so sharp & keen  
Which he ne may recure in no wise.  
The sorrow of which ought enough suffice.  
Though ye on him do no more vengeance.  
All this well poised justly in balance,  
Sith he is holy submitted to your might,  
Taketh now him to mercy anon right,  
And let your sword his age not consume,  
This my request as I dare presume.   

ANd then Pyrrhus shortly for to say,  
When he had put up his sword again  
saying mercy might him most avail,  
Without words or any rehearsal,  
first of all tofore them everichone,  
The kings made accorden into one.  
By his wisdom concluding up in deed,  
That each of them should his right possede,  
¶ In thessaly parted into twain.  
That neither had matter to complain,  
everich to reign in his dew see,  
And while they were together all three,  
Out of presence of any other man,  
¶ Atastus first thus his tale began.  
¶ Sires quoth he to you is not unknown,  
How through my age I am now brought so low.  
And through nature's kindly motion,  
Am waxed feeble of wit and of reason.  
Being unwieldy of my limbs all.  
So many years are upon me fall.  
And can uneath any thing discern,  
To feeble in sooth a kingdom to govern.  
Of life nor death taking now no heed,  
Sith that my sons slain be and dead.  
And sole left now withouten heir,  
Of worldly lust fully in despair.  
The time passed of my felicity.  
Fortune's turn with mutabylytye,  
Hath taught me plainly I dare it well express,  
In worldly joy there is no sickerness,  
Nor very trust no while to abide.  
But I will now for myself provide,  
And in all haste by prudent purveyance,  
Me clear discharge from all governance,  
Again my sort me list not malign.  
¶ But sceptre and crown freely I resign,  
Of thessaly the lordship and the land,  
Of my fire will hole into thy hand.  
There shall no man reclaim nor say nay.  
interrupt nor make no delay,  
touching this thing by no conclusion,  
For I the put full in possession.  
And hereupon of all that ever he abide  
Making full faith his hand in his he laid.  
Queen Thetides sitting there present,  
And peleus of the same intent,  
Unto Pyrrhus for his purpartye,  
resigned eke his right of thessaly.  
Fully affirming that of yore ago,  
His full desire and his joy also,  
Was ever in one his nephew to succeed.  
As rightful heir his kingdom to possede,  
And utterly without repentance,  
All that belongeth unto my ligeance,  
Sceptre and sword crown and diadem,  
So as a king life and death to dame,  
Into thy hand without longer date,  
This same hour holy to translate.  
And when the knot of this convention,  
Was fully brought to this concluson.  
Performed up hole the unity,  
For evermore atween these kings three.  
Atastus' knights dissevered environ,  
Out of the forest be descended down.  
And by bidding platly of their lord,  
They were eachone sworn to this accord,  
And at once this lusty company,  
To thessaly fast 'gan them high.  
And Pyrrhus' folk lying on the sea,  
Be sailed forth straight to the city.  
And Atastus doth sit a parliament,  
Where openly he gave commandment.  
That all his lieges of high or low estate,  
Without strife or any more debate,  
Specially of gentle blood yborn,  
The same day to Pyrrhus to be sworn.  
Like their degrees in the royal hall.  
To persever his true lieges all.  
During their life for earnest or for game.  
And peleus commanded hath the same,  
For his party without any fraud,  
And thus with joy and with solemn laud  
Pyrrhus was of every manner age,  
Gladly accepted to his heritage.  
And on a day fortunate and good,  
With glad aspects when the heaven stood,  
Well according to such manner thing,  
Worthy Pyrrhus was ycrowned king,  
Of thessaly the rich region.  
It were but vain to make mention,  
Of their revel nor their great array,  
Nor of the feast made the same day,  
Eke in the story I find it not in sooth.  
I will pass over as mine author doth,  
Save in his book as it is specefyed,  
That the kingdom was far magnified,  
Of thessaly by puissance and might,  
Of this Pyrrhus whilom so good a knight,  
Where I him leave in his royal see.  
¶ turning again to king Ydumee,  
Which in this while ygrave was under stone.  
¶ And after him his son Meeryone,  
The story saith was crowned king of Crete,  
That but awhile reygninge in equity,  
Died also it would be none other,  
¶ And than in haste Leorica his brother,  
As rightful heir by succession,  
Was crowned king of that region.  
¶ In which time Atastus out of dread,  
By th'assent of Pyrrhus as I read,  
Full busy was to make in special,  
A rich tomb passingly royal,  
Where buried were with full huge press.  
¶ Menalyppus and Polystenes,  
That both two were in the forest slawe,  
thorough Pyrrhus sword by full cruel law.  
¶ Of them can I none other process make,  
But even there fully my tale I take,  
Of them both and also eke yfere,  
¶ Of Atastus their own father dear.  
Of whom soothly for all his locks door,  
In Troy book read I can no more.  
¶ But now must I again to Pyrrhus wend  
To write of him the sorry woeful end,  
Which when he sat highest in his see,  
Made full blind with vain prosperity,  
Governing though the land of thessaly.  
¶ There him betydde to fall in fantasy,  
And to set his love on Hermyon the queen,  
¶ Horestes wife reigning in Methene.  
For whom he brent hot as any fire.  
And in fulfilling of his foul desire,  
His purpose hole thus he brought about,  
Her ravishing while her lord was out,  
though led her home and held her as his wife,  
seeming to him it was a blissful life,  
And full release of his pains smart.  
¶ Of which Horestes bore full heavy heart,  
And cast him plainly avenged for to be,  
When he thereto hath opportunyte.  
And for that time though he sustained wrong  
¶ He was to feeble & Pyrrhus was to strong,  
¶ Which held also in story it is told,  
¶ Andromecha with him in his household.  
¶ Hector's wife by whom whilom she had,  
A little child which with her she lad,  
The siege complete and destructiowne,  
When she was brought out of Troy town.  
Laomedonte I fiend was his name,  
Increasing after to full worthy fame.  
¶ And by this Pyrrhus she had a son also▪  
¶ Achylleydos so calleth him Guydo,  
And these women for all their great estate  
atween themself among were at debate.  
¶ And Hermyone with ire full hot,  
In complaining thus to her father wrote,  
That her fere for all her high degree,  
Andronomecha was cherished better than she,  
Of king Pyrrhus' beseeching Menelay,  
Him to enhaste in all that ever he may,  
And come himself, anon that it were do,  
To slay this woman and her child also.  
That nought he abode but fastgan him high,  
In all heat his towards thessaly,  
To be avenged with his sword of steel,  
On her that herein falleth never adele,  
But maugre him in all his cruelty,  
She was rescued amid of the Cite.  
¶ It is a thing which hath not be herd,  
To a woman a king to draw his sword.  
I will no more in this matter dwell,  
In manner shamed it to write or tell.  
But this was done while Pyrrhus of courage  
To Delos was gone was on his pilgrimage  
Having with him but a little rout,  
¶ Too Apollo there kneel and to lout,  
For the soul to pray of him Achylle,  
And his vows also to fulfil,  
And him to thank with high affection,  
Of good exploit he had at Troy town,  
And for the wretch also that was take,  
At the city for his father's sake.  
But all this thing here yspecified.  
¶ King Horestes warily hath espied,  
And to Delos haste the full right,  
leading with him many a lusty knight.  
And unwarely there with Pyrrhus met,  
And vengeably he upon him set.  
That finally in that strange land,  
¶ Horestes slew him with his own hand,  
I find in sooth he made no diffence,  
So sudden was the mortal violence,  
Of his envy he could not asterte,  
For or that he his sword might advert,  
He was on him environ all beset,  
Thilk time it might be no bet,  
For there was neither succour nor decline.  
Thus was Pyrrhus brought to his fine,  
¶ Late crowned king of thessaly,  
Lo here the guerdon of adultery,  
Lo how the meed and reward is full rife,  
To misuse an other man's wife,  
It is no dread follow shall vengeance,  
Sudden death or unware mischance,  
Which every man greatly ought charge,  
And in Delos in a temple large,  
¶ King Pyrrhus was locked under stone.  
And Horestes forth his way is gone,  
And by force got his wife again,  
There was no wight durst him though withsayne,  
And to Methene proudly is repaired,  
And thessaly piteously dispeyed,  
Destitute as they that can no read,  
When they witted their worthy king was dead  
And heir was none by succession,  
To govern that noble region,  
Save Achilleydos that but little aforne,  
In Pyrrhus' absence was in Grece borne,  
Fully of age not a quarter clean.  
The youth of whom soothly was to green,  
Who list consider and to tender of might,  
Full many day to rejoice his right,  
And to govern with Sceptre in his hand,  
The large bounds of so great a land.  
¶ And yet this child likely and right fair,  
In very sooth was borne to be heir,  
After Pyrrhus this the troth plain,  
There was no man that list it withsaine.  
¶ But I find when he came to age,  
He resigned hole his heritage,  
To his brother freely and his right,  
¶ Lamedowne a wonder manly knight,  
That was descended of Troyanishe blood,  
Down fro the stock of him that was so good,  
Flower of knighthod diffence of Frygya,  
That him begat on Andromecha,  
Ordained now who so grudge or frown,  
Of thessaly for to bear the crown.  
And when he was made lord of that land,  
And all was freely resigned to his hand.  
¶ He hath commanded no man dare reply,  
Through the kingdom of all Theaslye,  
That all that were in captivity,  
Or prisoners of Troy the city,  
For love or hate exception was none,  
That all should at their large gone.  
¶ By full assent of Achylleydos,  
And such as were eke in prison close,  
Without ransom shall delivered be.  
¶ And rejoice the full liberty,  
By custom used both in borough and town  
Of the lieges of that great region.  
And thus the folk that came thrall fro Troy,  
Restored be suddenly to joy,  
¶ By Lamedowne and maked free.  
And he eke reigneth in his royal sea,  
Full mightily as I have made mind,  
In Troy book no more of him I find.  
Nor of Pyrrhus nor of his kindred,  
Fro henseforth I can no process read.  
¶ But incydentes that bear no substance,  
Which were but vain to put in remembrance  
Except mine author I note to what intent,  
Here impeth in me a little incident,  
Ywrought and done of full yore agone.  
touching the death of king Menon.  
Which by envy of cruel Achilles,  
Was slain in sooth among Myrmydones.  
Only for he proudly 'gan pursue,  
Upon Achilles Troilus to rescue.  
¶ Whom king Priam made buried be,  
Beside Troilus in Troy the city,  
In a temple ybylte of marble old.  
And to what fine this tale is told,  
In this Chapitle I shall rehearse anon.   

THe noble queen of this king Menon,  
After the time long and many day,  
That she was dead and graven under clay  
At the tomb heavenly 'gan appear.  
Albe set with bright stars clear.  
Whose similitude for to reckon all,  
Was like a thing that were immortal.  
That no man might utterly abstain,  
To behold of look she was so sheen,  
Down descending fro the firmament.  
Full many man being there present,  
Called in a mantel full celestial.  
And of her port passingly royal,  
With sweetness fresh as any rose,  
Made in all haste the tomb to unclose,  
Of her lord and taketh out the bones.  
And in a chest made of gold and stones.  
She couched them as fast as ever she may.  
despaired and went anon her way.  
And tofore that nor after in certain,  
In that place she was never sayne,  
Some afferminge as by likeliness,  
She was other angel or goddess.  
The soul or fate of the same king,  
I can not dame in such heavenly thing.  
Nor therein hold none opinion,  
For it transcendeth shortly my reason,  
And me list not in such matter define,  
But resort right as any line,  
To Vlixes and a while dwell,  
Of his end the surplus for to tell,  
And how that he might not escape,  
The parodye that was for him shape,  
For Parchas have his last term set,  
And Atropos measured out and met,  
His lives thread on the rock spun,  
Diffende thyself Vlixes if thou can.  
Show thy manhood and not be afeard,  
And be welfare of thy sons sword.  
For I shall now like as I am wont,  
Sharp my pen both rude and blonte,  
To descrive the fine of thy soioure,  
Upon the bounds set of my labour,  
For almost weary weak and faint enough,  
Be the beasts and oxen of my plough.  
The long day again the hill to wend,  
But almost now at the lands end.  
Of Troy book fyche I will a stake,  
Save I must spend a few lines black,  
The last chapter shortly to translate.  
Of all this work and ympen in the date,  
Of that day death set on him areste,  
Full execute by him he loved best.   

Low on my knees now must I lout.  
To this god that maketh men to rout,  
And causeth folks to have glad swenenes,  
Both on morrow and on lusty evens,  
When Morphe us with sleepy wand,  
Which that he holdeth alway in his hand,  
Hath marked them again the night,  
To make men both merry and light.  
And some while to have gladness.  
And suddenly to fall in heaviness,  
Like as to them he giveth evidence,  
By sundry signs in his appearance,  
Unto that lord now must I meekly prey,  
At this time my style to convey.  
Of ulyxes the dream to describe,  
The last of all he had by his live.  
Declaring him by tokens full notable,  
And by signs very demonstrable.  
As he slept again the pale moan,  
His fatal day that should follow soon.  
For it fell thus as he abed lay,  
After midnight tofore the morrow grey.  
¶ Him thought he saw appear a creature,  
To his sight celestial of figure.  
None earthly thing but verily divine,  
Of port and cheer wonder femynyne.  
¶ And as him sempte in his fantasy,  
Like a thing sent out of fairy,  
For the beauty of her goodly face,  
Recomforted plainly all the place.  
Most surmounting and most sovereign.  
And the clearness of her eyen twain.  
All suddenly or men might advert,  
Perce would even to the heart,  
defence none might be devised.  
¶ And Vlyxes with her look surprised,  
'Gan her behold alway more and more,  
And in his sleep for to sigh sore,  
Piercing aye with full busy pain,  
Her to embrace in his arms twain.  
¶ But aye the more that he 'gan pursue,  
She againward 'gan him to eschew.  
And aye the more he praised her to see,  
Ay the more from him she 'gan to flee.  
So contrary to him was fortune.  
And when she saw he was importune.  
She asked him shortly what he would.  
And he to her the plat troth told.  
¶ Certes quoth he my lives Emperysse,  
Where that ye be woman or goddess,  
I can not dame nor judge half a right.  
I am so darked and blinded in my sight.  
¶ But I dare well affirm in this place,  
My life, my death stand hoolely in your grace  
More of mercy requiring than of right,  
To rue on me which am your own knight,  
And of your pity and compassion,  
Goodly to see to my salvation,  
For my desire but I may fulfil,  
This same night to have of you my will,  
To my recure I can no remedy,  
For lack of ruth but needily I must die,  
Now have I all atwixe hope and dread,  
Myself declared to your womanhood.  
And after that she kept her close a while,  
And though full sadly 'gan on him to smile,  
And as it put is in remembrance,  
Said unto him with sober countenance.  
soothly quoth she this thine affection,  
Would fully turn to the confusion,  
As of us both so it is perilous,  
So inly mortal and courageous,  
That utterly there gain may no read,  
But one of us must anon be dead.  
This is the fine of the hateful chance,  
That follow should after our pleasance.  
And as Vlixes 'gan to nighen near,  
beholding aye on her the heavenly cheer,  
Where as she stood up right on the grdunde,  
He saw her hold a spear long and round,  
The head thereof all of borned steel,  
Forged new and ground wonder weal,  
¶ And thereupon in his avisiowne,  
He saw a banner blazing up and down,  
The field thereof all of colour ynde,  
Full of fishes beaten as I find.  
¶ And in some books like as it is told,  
In the mids a large crown of gold,  
¶ And or that she turn 'gan her face,  
likely anon to part out of the place,  
She spoke to him & said in words plain,  
This is full token of parting of us twain,  
For evermore and eft for sour ne sweet,  
After this day never again to mete.  
And disaperinge anon her leave she took.  
And after that he suddenly awoke,  
And 'gan to musen in his fantasy,  
What manner thing this dream might sygnefy,  
But where it mente other evil or good,  
The secretness he though not understood,  
For it surmounted soothly his reason,  
Therefore he sent throughout his region,  
For such as were subtle exposytoures,  
Of fate or sort or crafty dyvinours,  
For all the clerks subeict to his crown,  
To assemble in one his sweven to expone.  
¶ And when they knew by information,  
The manner hole of his avision,  
They been concluded according as in one.  
The time approacheth and shall come anon,  
That one that is the next of his kindred,  
With a spear should make his heart bleed  
¶ Let see where he his fate 'gan remove,  
Sith it is hard destynye t'eschew,  
As say though folk in their opinion,  
That work and trust on constellation.  
And Vlixes musing on this tale,  
Changeth colour and 'gan to wexeen pale.  
Wonder dreadful and full of fantasies,  
'Gan in himself to seek out remedies,  
Away to void thing that will not be.  
¶ He stareth broad but he may not see,  
His inward look was with a cloud yblent.  
¶ But weninge he for to be prudent,  
¶ Made call to him his son Thelamon,  
And to be take and shut up in prison,  
He supposing fully in his wit,  
From all mischief thereby to go quite,  
He not adverteth nor ne took none heed,  
To the sharpness of his spears head,  
Nor to the fishes in the banner beat,  
Nor of the sea wherein they swim and fleet  
Nor of the queen that called is Circe's  
That signs brought of were & not of peace,  
Nor of the crown token of dignity,  
Of one that hold shall his royal see,  
Waltering amid the waves both fell & woe  
Among the fishes in the large flood,  
¶ And he shall make the full division,  
Tofore remembered in the avision,  
Again his will of very ignorance,  
And execute the fatal purveyance,  
Up of the dream with his spear of steel,  
Which Vlixes considereth never a deal,  
¶ Nor to no wight hath suspection,  
¶ But to his son called Thelamon,  
That closed is and shut up in a tower.  
¶ And Vlixes with cost and great labour,  
From day to day doth his business,  
For himself to make a fortress,  
Bilte on a rock of lime and square stones,  
Deep ditched about for the nonce,  
That no man may enter on no side.  
Where as he casteth all his life to abide.  
With certain men chosen in special,  
¶ Night and day to watch upon the wall.  
That no manner wight should have none entry,  
But it so fall that he be aye secree,  
And known of old & to counsel sworn.   

NOw as the story rehearsed hath to forne,  
The old fool this dotard Vlixes,  
A son had begot on her Cyrces',  
Fresh and lusty young and courageous,  
And he was called Thelagonyus:  
¶ Born in the see among the floddes' rage.  
That was also to reckon his age,  
five and twenty years and there about.  
¶ But of his father he was aye in doubt,  
What man he was or who it might be,  
Being thereof in no security.  
Till on a day he desirous to know,  
To his mother fell on knees low.  
Beseeching her goodly and not spare,  
Of his father to him the truth declare.  
What that he was or where he should dwell,  
He her besought that she would him tell,  
¶ But soothly she long and many days,  
Of high prudence put him in delays,  
Till that she saw she might have no rest,  
So importune he was in his request.  
And when she knew there was none other boat,  
From point to point she told him crop & rote,  
¶ Of Vlixes and where that he was king.  
And he anon made no tarrying,  
But took leave it may none other be,  
And plainly said he would his father see.  
¶ Whereof the queen 'gan in her heart cold,  
But when she saw she might him not withhold  
She him besought with cheer debonair,  
That he would soon again to her repair.  
And forth he saileth onward on his way.  
Without abode the self same day,  
By many port and many fer country,  
Till he was brought there as he would be.  
¶ To achaia a land of great renown,  
And he 'gan search through out the region,  
After the place and palace principal,  
Where as the king held his see royal.  
And he so long in the country road,  
Till he was taught where the king abode.  
There Vlixes was shit up in mewe,  
To which place in haste he 'gan pursue,  
A great party relieved of his sorrow.  
And on a monday early by the morrow,  
¶ Unto the bridge the ryghteway he took,  
And found a porter deynous of his look,  
And lowly first he 'gan him for to pray,  
That he vouchsafe him goodly to convey,  
Into the court and make no tarrying,  
For he a message he had to the king.  
¶ But proudly he denied the gate,  
And shortly said that he came to late,  
To enter there in any manner wise.  
And eke ungodly 'gan him to despise,  
froward of speech and malicious.  
But in all haste this Thelagonyus,  
As he that was in heart not a feared,  
The proud porter hent by the beard,  
And with his fist roof his chaw bone,  
That he fell dead mute as a stone.  
And other eke that him though withstood.  
He made proudly leap into the flood.  
And when more came to maken resistance,  
He hent a sword by manly violence,  
And furiously in his irous tene,  
The story sayeth he slew of them fifteen,  
Himself almost wounded to death,  
And 'gan for weary soothly fail breath.  
And Vlixes what for noise and sown,  
To the bridge is descended down.  
Finding his men at entry of his gate,  
Dead and slain by full mortal hate.  
And he full irous hent anon adarte,  
Of adventure standing tho apart,  
And cruelly cast at Thelagon.  
But yet the stroke as in conclusion,  
Domaged not for it glode aside.  
And he for haste no longer would abide,  
Hent up the dart without more arrest,  
And smote the king low under the breast,  
Through the ribs shortly for to say,  
That of the wound he must needs die.  
Having as though no opinion,  
That he was king nor suspection,  
Nor that he had his own father slawe.  
Which fast 'gan to his end draw.  
His wound was so deadly and so keen,  
That he might himself not sustain,  
But pale and wan to the ground 'gan glide.  
His men about upon every side,  
That busy were to help him and relieve.  
But his sore 'gan so ache and grieve,  
That he well felt that he must be dead.  
¶ But abraiding as he lift up his head,  
Having as yet both perfect mind & reason,  
Remember 'gan of his avision.  
And how it was told him out of dread,  
That one that was next of his kindred,  
Descended down from his own line,  
His sweven shall perform and to the fine,  
Accomplish it with a dart of steel,  
And for he could nought conceiven weal,  
What that he was. nor who that it should be,  
He bad anon unto his main,  
Without harm or any violence,  
To do him set anon unto his presence.  
The young man which at the gate stood,  
That hath that day shed so much blood.  
¶ And when he was afore Vlixes brought,  
Of him he hath inquired out and sought,  
first of his kin and next of his country.  
¶ Certes quoth he I was borne in the sea,  
Among fishes mid the waves green,  
And said also his mother was a queen,  
Called Circe's of whom the name is couth,  
Both east and west and eke right fer by south  
And told also his father was a king,  
That him begat at his home coming.  
Fro Troy town toward this country.  
And as my mother Circe's told it me,  
Serteinly that he Vlixes hight.  
Of whom desirous for to have a sight,  
I entered am this mighty region.  
And have pursued unto this dungeon.  
Only in hope my father to have sayen.  
But I see well my labour is in vain,  
And sith in sooth lost is my travail,  
And that it may in no side avail,  
It were folly longer for to dwell,  
Lo here is all that I can you tell.  
Of my kindred ask of me no more,  
¶ With that Vlixes 'gan to sigh sore.  
For lack of blood as he that was full pale,  
And said anon when he heard his tale,  
¶ Now wots I well my woeful destynye,  
fulfilled is it may none other be,  
Now wots I well that it is to late,  
To grudge or strive again my piteous fate  
¶ For my son as clerks whilom told.  
Hath made an end of my days old,  
thereon exspectant with pains full grievous  
¶ And with that word Thelagonius,  
When so he witted again nature's law,  
That he alas had his father slawe,  
Which in the land long had borne his crown,  
Without abode fell anon in swoon,  
¶ His clothes rent his yellow heir to torn  
¶ Alas quoth he that ever was I borne,  
For cursed is my woeful destynye,  
And my fortune which I may not i'll,  
Cursed my sort cursed mine adventure,  
And I refuse of every creature,  
Forwarryed eke my disposition,  
And cursed is my constellation,  
Cursed also and full infortunate,  
The hour in which my father me begat.  
So would god without longer read,  
To acquit him anon that I were dead,  
To lay my life for his death to borrow.  
¶ And when the king saw his great sorrow,  
And wist he was his son of Circe's borne,  
By many signs rehearsed heretoforne,  
He unto him anon forgave his death.  
As though he might for lack and want of breath,  
So importable was his passion.  
¶ And eft his son called Thelamon,  
Which hath in prison so many day be shut,  
To his presence in all haste was fet.  
Which when he saw his father in such point  
Wpon his death standing in disjoint.  
And knew also and the truth hath found,  
By whom he had his last deadly wound,  
A sword he hent and mortally irous,  
Would tho have run on Thelagonius,  
Of high despite avenged for to be.  
¶ But Vlixes of fatherly pity,  
Made his men hold and restrain,  
And amid of all his grievous pain,  
By his prudence and that was done anon,  
He made his sons for to be all one,  
¶ And gave in charge unto Thelamon,  
Of enterenesse and affection,  
And of hole heart feigned never adele,  
All his life loved his brother weal,  
To part with him treasure gold and good,  
As to the next borne of all his blood.  
And though in sooth it was no longer tarried,  
That Vlixes full royally was carried,  
Of all achaia to the chief city.  
Where after that he lived days three,  
Without more and though gave up the ghost,  
I can not say plainly to what cost.  
After this life that his soul is gone.  
But in a tomb of metal and of stone,  
The body was closed and yshet.  
And after that there made was no let,  
That Thelamon with great solempnytye,  
Ycrowned was in his fathers see.  
Sword and Sceptre delivered to his hand,  
Of all achaia a rich and worthy land,  
Right abundant of treasure and of gold  
And Thelagon with him there abode,  
A year complete well cherished in his sight,  
And of his brother took order of a knygt.  
And for him list no longer there abide,  
The king for him wisely 'gan provide,  
That he with gold and of treasure plenty,  
Repeyred is home to his country.  
¶ And his mother of age wexen sad,  
Of his repair passingly was glad,  
As she that saw by her sorcery,  
He scaped was many jeopardy,  
Many peril and many great distress.  
And after that she fell into sickness,  
And her debt yield as unto nature,  
The which escape may no manner creature.  
In all this world that is here living.  
After whose death her son was crowned king  
Of Aulydos the marvelous country,  
As I have told enclosed with a sea,  
Among rocks where many ships drown  
And sixty year there he bore his crown.  
This manly man this Thelagonins.  
And his brother Thelamonius,  
reigned also in his region,  
seventy winter as made is mention.  
And after that they made a royal end,  
And both two to jubiter they wend,  
To reign there among the stars bright.   

But now the lantern and the clear light  
Is wasted out of Frygyus Darete:  
Whilom of Troy writer and Poet.  
Guide have I none further for to pass,  
For even here in this self place,  
He fytched hath the bounds of his style.  
At the siege he present all the while,  
And aye in one with them did abide.  
Dites the Greek on the other side  
And both two as in their writing,  
Ne vary not but in a little thing.  
touching matter as in special.  
That is notable or historical,  
I do no force of incydentes small,  
Of which in sooth is but little tale.  
¶ Save this Dites maketh mention,  
Of the number slain tofore the town,  
Lasting the siege afferminge out of dread,  
eight hundred thousand & six weren dead  
On Greeks side up right in the field.  
And as Dares also there beheld,  
On Troy party in the were keen.  
Six hundred thousand seventy and sixteen,  
Were slain there in Guydo ye may see,  
With them that came in help to the City,  
From many cost and many region,  
In diffence and rescues of the town.  
¶ And full ten year so as I can cast,  
And six months the mighty siege did last.  
Or it was get Dares write himself.  
And overmore complete days twelve.  
Or Greeks had full possession,  
By false engine of the Greek Sinon,  
Like as tofore rehearsed was but late.  
I have no more of latin to translate.  
After Dytes, Dares, nor Guydo.  
And me to add any more thereto,  
Than mine auctors specify and say,  
The occupation soothly were in vain,  
And like a manner of presumption,  
The time complete of this translation,  
By just reckoning and accounts clear,  
Was a thousand and four hundred year  
And twenty near I know it out of dread,  
After that christ received our manhood.  
Of her that was empress and queen,  
Of heaven and hell and a maid clean.  
The eight year by just computation,  
Sewing next the coronation,  
Of him that is most gracious in working:  
Henry the fifth the noble worthy king,  
And protector of brutes albion.  
And called is through his high renown,  
Through his prowess and his chivalry,  
Also far as passeth any cloud or sky.  
Of Normandye the mighty conqueror,  
For through his knighthod & his high labour  
Maugre all though that list him to withsayne,  
He conquered hath his heritage again.  
And by his mighty prudent governance,  
Recured eke his title unto France.  
¶ That who so list look and do unfold,  
The pedigree of these chronicles old,  
And searcheth books ywryt long toforne,  
He shall find that he is justly borne,  
To reign in France by lineal dyscente.  
¶ And onward now he is ordained regent,  
Of thilk land during his father's life,  
Of his goodness to voiden were & strife.  
He to rejoice without more delay,  
sceptre and crown after the kings day.  
As it is clearly in conclusion,  
Enrolled up in the convention,  
¶ And than I hope the time fortunate,  
¶ Of the old world called Aureat,  
Resort shall by influence of grace,  
That cruel Mars shall no more menace,  
With his looks furious and wood,  
By false aspects for to shed blood,  
atween the folks of these realms twain.  
Which every wight justly ought complain.  
¶ But as I trust in mine opinion,  
This worthy king of wisdom & reason,  
And of knighthood shall so do his pain,  
To make one that long hath betwayne.  
I mean as thus that England and France,  
May be all one withouten variance.  
Out of hearts old rancour to enchase,  
By influence of his mighty grace,  
That called is of clerks doubtless,  
The sovereign lord and the prince of peace.  
So that I hope his grace now shall reign,  
So set a peace atween these realms twain  
For in his power soothly standeth all,  
¶ And alliance of the blood royal,  
That is knet up by bond of marriage,  
Of were shall void away the rage.  
To make peace with bright beams shine.  
¶ And one that is called Katherine.  
And named is right good and fair also,  
shallbe a mean atwyxt both two.  
Of grace imprinted in her womanhood,  
That to complain we shall have no need.  
¶ And as I hope her gracious arrival,  
Into this land shall so much avail,  
That joy honour and prosperity.  
Without trouble of all adversity,  
Repeyre shall and all hearty pleasance,  
Plenty, welfare, and fulsome abundance,  
Peace and quiet both to nigh and far,  
Without strife debate or any were.  
Mischief, poverty, need▪ nor indigence,  
With full ceasing of death and pestilence.  
soothly I hope all this ye shall seen,  
Come into land with that noble queen.  
That we shall say of heart and feign nought  
Blessed be she that all this hath us brought.  
And he that hath through might of his working,  
Of his knighthod concluded all this thing,  
And such marvels in armꝭ done & wrought,  
And his purpose fully about brought,  
Of high wisdom set in his inward sight,  
enjoying all that longeth to his right,  
And highest sit of worthiness in glory,  
With the Sceptre of conquest and victory.  
I pray god only for bis best,  
¶ When he hath all set in peace and rest.  
And is full put in clear possession,  
Of all that longeth to his subjection.  
To send him home with triumph & honour,  
As great as ever had any conqueror.  
After long in joy and in quiet,  
To rule and reign in his royal seat,  
Thus shall I aye there is no more to say,  
day and night for his exploit pray.  
Of faithful heart and of hole intent.  
That whilom gave me in commandment  
Not yore ago in his father's time,  
The siege of Troy on my manner to rhyme,  
Most for his sake to speak in special,  
Although that I be boisterous and rural,  
He gave me charge this story to translate,  
Rude of cunning called john Lydgate,  
Monk of bury by profession,  
Using an habit of perfection.  
Albe my life accordeth not thereto.  
I feign not I wots well it is so.  
It needeth not witness for to call,  
Record I take of my brethren all,  
That will not fail at so great a need.  
¶ And all that shall this noble story read,  
I beseech of support and of grace,  
Where I offend in any manner place,  
Or where soever that they find shall an error  
Of gentleness to shown their favour,  
And benignly for to do their pain,  
hit to correct rather than disdain.  
For well wots I that much thing there is wrong  
Falsely metryd both of short and long.  
And if they should have of all disdain,  
It is no dread my labour were in vain.  
Let ignorance and rudeness me excuse,  
For if that ye platly all refuse,  
For certain faults which ye there shall find  
I doubt not my thank is set behind,  
For in the verse though there be ignorance,  
Yet in the story ye find may pleasance,  
Touching substance of that mine author writ.  
And though so be that any word miss sit,  
Amendeth it with cheer debonair.  
For an error to hinder and appair,  
That is not said of purpose or malice,  
It is no worship to him that is wise.  
And no wight gladly deemeth so soon a lack,  
specially behind at the back,  
As he in sooth that can no skill at all.  
He goeth full hole that never had a fall.  
And I not find of new nor of old,  
For to dame that is always so bold,  
As he that is yblent with uncunning,  
For blind bayard cast peril of nothing,  
Till that he stumbling fall amid the lake.  
And none so ready for to undertake,  
Than he in sooth nor bolder to say wrose,  
That can no skill on prose nor yet on verse.  
And of all such that listen not be still,  
I little force where they say good or ill.  
For unto them my book is not direct,  
But to all such as list have in effect,  
On simple folk full compassion.  
That goodly can by their correction,  
amend a thing and hyndre never adele,  
Of custom aye ready to say weal.   

FOr he that was ground of well saying,  
In all his life hindered no making,  
My master Chaucer that found full many spot  
Him list not pinch nor grudge at every blot  
Nor move himself to perturb his rest,  
I have heard told but said always the best.  
Suffering goodly of his gentleness,  
Full many thing embraced with rudeness.  
And if I shall shortly him descrive.  
Was never none to this day alive,  
To reckon all both of young and old,  
That worthy was his inkhorn for to hold  
And in this land if there any be,  
In borough or town village or Cite,  
That cunning hath his traces for to sew,  
Where he go broad or he be shut in mewe,  
To him I make a full direction,  
Of this book to have inspection.  
beseeching them with their prudent look,  
To race and scrape through out all my book.  
Void and add where them seineth need.  
And though so be that they not ne read,  
In all this book no Rhetorics new,  
Yet this I hope that they shall find all true,  
The story plain chief in substance.  
And who so list to see the variance,  
Of worldly thing wrought by days old,  
In this book he may full well behold,  
Change of fortune in her course mutable.  
seld or not faithful other stable.  
Lords, Princes from her royalty,  
Suddenly brought in adversity.  
And kings eke plounged in poverty,  
And for their dread daring in desert.  
Unware slaughter compassed of envy,  
Murdre conspired by conspiracy,  
Await laying falsehood and treason,  
And of kingdom sudden reversion.  
ravishing of women for delight  
Root of the were and mortal despite.  
False maintenance of adultery,  
Many worthy causing for to die.  
Sin aye concluding who so taketh heed,  
Vengeance unware for his final meed.   

TO declare that in all worldly lust,  
Who look aright is but little trust,  
As in this book example ye may find.  
If that you list enprinte it in your mind,  
How all passeth and halt there no soioure,  
Wasting away as doth a summer flower,  
rich and poor of every manner age.  
For here our life is but a pilgrimage,  
Meynt with labour and with much woe,  
That if men would taken heed thereto,  
And eke tofore prudently advert.  
Little joy he should have in his heart,  
To set their trust in any worldly thing.  
For there is neither prince lord nor king.  
¶ By example of Troy as ye may see,  
That in this life may have full surety.  
¶ Therefore to him that starfe upon the rood,  
suffering death for our alder good.  
lift up your hartis & think on him among  
For be ye never so mighty not so gronge,  
Without him all that may not avail.  
For he can give victory in battle,  
And hold a field shortly to conclude,  
With a few again great multitude.  
And by his grace he maketh princes strong,  
And worthy kings for to reign long.  
And these Tyrants suddenly oppress,  
Throw them down for all their great richesses,  
And in his hand power he reserveth,  
Each to acquit like as he deserveth.  
To whom I pray with all devotion,  
With all mine heart and hold affection,  
That he list grant long continuance,  
prosperity and good perseverance,  
health welfare victory and honour,  
Unto that noble mighty conqueror.  
¶ Henry the fifth tofore especyfyed,  
So that his name may be magnified,  
Here in this life up to the stars clear.  
And afterward above the ninth sphere,  
When he is dead for to have a place.  
This pray I god for to send him grace,  
At whose bidding as I told late.  
first I began the siege to translate,  
¶ And now I have holy in his honour,  
Full executed the fine of my labour,  
Unto all that shall this story see,  
With humble heart and all humility.  
This little book lowly I betake,  
It to support and thus an end I make.   

¶ Of the most noble excellent Prince king Henry the fifth.  

MOst worthy Prince of knighthood sours and well,  
Whose high renown through the world doth shine,  
And that all other in manhood dost excel,  
Equal of merit to the worthies nine,  
And borne also by right descent of line,  
As very heir by title to attain,  
To bear the crown of worthy realms twain   

¶ And also far as Phoebus in his sphere,  
From East to West throweth out his beams bright,  
And as Lucyna with a shrouded cheer▪  
Goeth compass round with her pale light,  
Thou art yreckened for the best knight,  
To be registered worthy as of name,  
In highest place set of the house of fame.   

¶ To hold a palm of knighthod in thy hand,  
For worthiness and for high victory,  
As thou that art drade on sea and land,  
And evermore which land honour and glory,  
For just conquest to be put in memory,  
With a crown made of laurer green,  
Upon thy head tofore that famous queen.   

¶ Whilom ordained only for conquerors,  
Stable of heart with long continuance  
And gave not up till they were victoures  
Emprises take for no sudden chance,  
Whose name ay flowereth with new remembrance  
And fadeth not of years yore agone,  
amongs which thou mayst be set for one.   

¶ For through the world in many region,  
Reported is with fame that flieth wide,  
That naturally thy condition,  
On thing begun is knightly to abide,  
And for the time manly set aside,  
Rest and ease with cost thereon be spent,  
Till thou have won the fine of thin intent.   

¶ Most circumspect and passing avisee,  
And all thy works conveyed with high prudence,  
Sad and demure like to josuee,  
Again whose sword there gaineth no resistance,  
And hast also of heavenly influence,  
With Solomon wisely to discern,  
Only by grace thy people to govern.   

¶ Mercy eke meant with thy magnificence,  
On all oppressed for to have pity,  
And of rebels by manly violence,  
Abate thou canst the great cruelty,  
And so with David hast kingly pity.  
And high prowess with Sesar julyus,  
That in his time was most victorious.   

¶ And manly holdest in thy hands two,  
Who can behold by clear inspection,  
The sword of knighthod, thy Sceptre also,  
The tone to bring to subjection,  
hearts made proud by false rebellion,  
And with the sceptre to rule at the best,  
Thy true people that can live in rest.   

¶ Now yu that hast virtue, manhood, and grace  
attemperance freedom and bounty,  
Lowly I pray to the with dreadful face,  
Disdain the not benignly for to see,  
Upon this book rudely made by me,  
To fine only to argue thine highness,  
And rue of mercy upon my simplesse.   

¶ And in thy noble kingly advertenee,  
consider the my sovereign lord most dear  
Of thine innate famous sapience,  
That christ jesus received with good cheer,  
The two minutes give of heart entere,  
By the widow which of will and thought,  
Gave all her good and kept herself right nought.   

By which example so that it not offend,  
Through mine unconning to thy high noblesse  
Let your good will my little gift amend,  
And of thy mercy and renowned goodness,  
Take no disdain of my barren rudeness,  
And in making all though I have no muse,  
Let true meaning the surplus all excuse.   

More than good heart hath no manner wight,  
For to present either to god or man,  
And for my part to the as it is right,  
That give I whole as far forth as I can,  
Ay to persever fro time that I began,  
With will and thought for thine estate to pray  
Which to conserve thus finally I say,   

¶ first of almighty god the wrath to queme,  
With all that may be to his pleasance,  
And to thy crown and to thy diadem,  
Grace and good eure with long continuance,  
And of thy lieges faithful obeisance,  
And the virtue that man may specify,  
I pray god grant unto thy regally.   
Explicit liber quintus et ultimus.   

Lenuoye.  
GO little book & put the in the grace,  
Of him that is the most of excellence,  
And be not hardy aye where to show thy face,  
Without support of his magnificence,  
And who so ever in the shall find offence,  
Be not to bold for no presumption,  
Thyself tenarme aye in patience,  
And the submit to their correction.   

Verba translatoris ad librum suum.  
ANd for the arte enlimmed with no flowers,  
Of Rhetoric but all with white & black,  
Therefore thou must needily abide the showers  
Of them that list to set on the alack,  
And when thou art most likely go to wrack,  
Against them thine error not defend,  
But humbly tho withdraw the & go aback.  
Requiring them that they thy amiss amend.    
FINIS.   

¶ Here beginneth the table.  

How the king of thessaly named peleus lost all his men by divine punishment who after by his prayers obtained others. Ca i.  
¶ How Aeson the king for that he was old and might no longer weld the governail caused to crown his brother peleus. Ca two.  
¶ How peleus fearing to be deposed by his brother's son jason, a worthy and valiant young knight, counseled him to undertake the perilous and almost invincible conquest of the golden flese at Colchos, who by his persuasion undertook the same Ca iii.  
¶ How jason in his expedition towards Colchos, casually with his fellowship, arrived in the territories of Troy, meaning only there for a while to refresh and rest them. Ca iiii.  
¶ How Lamedon king of Troy sent to jason commanding him and his fellowship forthwith to depart the confines of his countreyth and of their answer sent again to the kynge· Ca v.  
¶ How jason through the only help of Medea Oetes daughter, the king of Colchos enamoured of him he achieved the conquest of the golden flese. Ca vi.  
¶ How jason after this conquest with Medea and his fellowship returned again into thessaly. Ca seven.  
¶ How jason, Hercules, and all the princes of Grece, assembled to avenge the uncurtesye done to them by Lamendon in this expedition towards Colchos. Ca viii.  
¶ Of the battle betwixt the Grecians and the Trojans wherein the Troyans' were discomfited, their king slain, and after their City taken, razed, and destroyed. Ca ix.  
¶ The Translator complaineth the misfortune of the Trojans, in the loss of their Cite lively describing the tykle estate of Fortune's governance, beginning in the same chappiter his second book, persewing the matter of the said history. Ca x.  
¶ How Priam son to Lamedon and succeeding his father, builded the City again. Ca xi.  
¶ How king Priae send Antenor into Grece to have restored again his sister Action. Ca xii.  
¶ How Priam the king sent Paris Deiphobus and others the worthies of Troy into Grece, to avenge the ravishing of his sister Action, & how they before their return ravished the fair Heleine wife to Menelaus and brought her to Troy. Ca xiii.  
¶ How Paris was received in Troy at his return, and of his marriage to Helcyne. Capitulo. xiiii.  
¶ How the Greeks assembled to be avenged of the Trojans for the ravishing of Heleyne. Ca xv.  
¶ The description of Priam, his sons and daughters & of the arrival of the Greeks tofore the temple of Diane the goddess. Ca xvi.  
¶ How Achilles and Patroclus were sent to Delos to receive answer of god Apollo how they should speed against the Trojans. Ca xvii  
¶ How the Greeks navy returning from Athenes were distressed by tempest, and how they took a castle of the Trojans called Saranaba. Ca xviii.  
¶ How Agamenon assembled counsel of the nobles of Grece, and determined, and sent Vlixes and Diomedes in ambassade to king Priam. Ca nineteen.  
¶ How Agamenon sent Achilles and Thelephus into the Island of Messa for victuals, and how they slew the king and after ordained Thelephus the king there. Ca xx.  
¶ How the Greeks landed tofore Troy where they were stoutly fought with all. Capitulo. xxi.  
¶ Of the first battle wherein Hector showed himself in valyauncye tofore all other. Capitulo. xxii.  
¶ How the Greeks through their suit obtained of king Priam a truce for eight weeks and of their battles after the truce ended. Capitulo. xxiii.  
¶ How the Trojans took king Thoas prisoner and led him captive to Troy. Ca xxiiii.  
¶ How during a truce of iii months Hector walked into the Greeks host, and of the talk had betwixt Achilles & him. Ca xxv.  
¶ Of their battles after that truce, the descripsyon of the Palleys of ylyon, of a great pestilence in the Greeks host, whereby they were enforced to seek for truce, which upon their suit they obtained for thirty days. Capitulo. xxvi.  
¶ How Andromecha was by a dream forewarned of the death of her husband Hector, if he the day following entered the field, whereof she admonished him, and he thereto having no respect was the next day slain of Achilles. Capitulo. xxvii.  
¶ The complaint of Lydgate for the death of Hector. Ca xxviii.  
¶ How the greeks deposing Agamenon ordained Pallamydes the general of their army. Capitulo. xxix.  
¶ How king Priam in p●rsonne issued into battle, for thadvenge of Hector's death, where he did right valiantly. Ca thirty.  
¶ How Achilles slew the worthy Troilus unknightly, & after trailed his body through the field tied to his horse. Ca xxxi.  
¶ How Paris slew Achilles and Archylogus Duke Nestor's son, in the temple of Apollo. Ca xxxii.  
¶ How Paris and Thelamon Ajax's, slew each other in the field. Ca xxxiii.  
¶ How Pantasylla queen of Amazonis' coming in aid of the Trojans, was slain by Pyrrhus Achilles' son. Ca xxxiiii.  
¶ How the Greeks made an horse of brass, wherein was men of arms, and under colour of peace brought it into Troy, by the which it was utterly destroyed for ever. Ca xxxv.  
How the Greeks returned into Grece after the destruction, and how they were perished almost all in the sea, and after they that escaped died mischievously. Ca xxxvi.  
¶ How the translator writeth the stock of Pyrrhus by line all discente, and how his father hight peleus, and his graundemother called Thetydes. xxxviii.   
The end of the table.   

¶ Imprinted at London, in Fleetstreet at the sign of the Prince's arms, by Thomas Marsh.  
Anno. do. M.D.L.U.