in begynnynge as ye nowe all onely haue me, whome he delyuered to a
mayster of ferre cou_n_trees to nourysshe [et] to lerne. yᵉ chylde was
of a grete wytte [et] prouffyted moche and grewe as well in lernynge
as in body. And whan he had dwelled with his mayster seuen yere, his
fader desyred to see hym, [et] sent letters to hym yᵗ he sholde come
ayen in to his cou_n_tree [et] vysyte his frendes in lyke wyse as ye
haue sente for me. The chylde was obedyent to his fader [et] came at
his cōmau_n_dement of whos comynge he joyed moche, for yᵗ he was as
well growen in his membres as in doctryne. To euery man he appered
pleasau_n_t and gentylle. It happened vpon a daye yᵗ the fader and
the moder syttynge at yᵉ table, [et] the chylde seruynge theym, a
nyghtyngale came fleynge afore yᵉ wyndowe where as they satte, [et]
began for to synge so swetely yᵗ they merueyled. And yᵉ knyght sayd,
O how swetely this byrde syngeth, well were hym yᵗ coude vnderstande
his songe, [et] coude shew the interpretacyon therof. Thenne the sone
sayd, my worshypfull fader the song of the nyghtyngale I coude well
declare, but I fere your dysplesure. The fader sayd, saye hardely my
sone yᵉ interpretacyon of yᵉ byrde, [et] than ye shall proue whether I
shall be angry or not, but I shall marke well yᵉ reason of myn angre.
[et] whan yᵉ sone herde yᵗ he sayd, yᵉ nyghtyngale hath sayd in his
songe, that I shall become a grete lorde, yᵗ I shall be honoured [et]
worshypped of all men, [et] namely of my fader, the whiche shall brynge
the water for to wasshe in myn handes, and my moder shall holde the
towell. The fader sayd thou shall neuer see yᵗ day suche seruyce of vs
to haue, nor none suche dygnyte shall folowe the, and in greate malyce
[et] wodenesse he toke his sone vppon his sholders [et] ranne to the
see [et] cast hym in it, and sayd, Lye there the interpretatour of yᵉ
byrdes songe. The chylde coude swymme, and swymmed to a londe where he
was foure dayes without mete or drynke. The fyft daye there came a shyp
saylynge, and as the chyld sawe that, he called loude to the shypmen
[et] sayd for the loue of god delyuer me frome the peryll of dethe.
The shypmen sawe that it was a fayre yonge man they had compassyon on
hy_m_ and went with theyr bote and sette hym aborde and in to ferre
countrees with them they ledde hym and solde hym there to a duke. The
chylde grewe goodly and fayre, [et] the duke loued hym moche, [et]
hadde him gretely in his fauoure. Uppon a tyme the kynge of yᵗ realme
lete calle and assemble all the greate lordes [et] noble men of his
londe to a generall cou_n_sell. This duke prepared [et] ordeyned hym
to go to yᵉ cou_n_sell, [et] marked the wysdome [et] the wytte of the
chylde [et] toke the chylde with hym. And whan they were all gadred
[et] assembled before the kynge in his cou_n_seyll My welbeloued
lordes [et] frendesō sayd yᵉ kynge, wylle ye wete yᵉ cause wherfore
yᵗ I haue called you to this counseylle. Then sayd they all we be all
souerayne lorde at your commau_n_demente. Then yᵉ kynge sayd, It is a
secrete mater yᵗ I shall shewe you, yf yᵗ ony ma_n_ can open it [et]
declare what yᵗ it sygnyfyeth, I swere [et] promytte vnto hym by my
crowne yᵗ I shall gyue too hym myn only doughter in maryage, [et] he
shal be my felowe in my realme duryng my lyfe, [et] after my dethe he
shall haue [et] possede all the hole kyngedome, [et] yᵉ mystery of
the counseyll is this. Thre rauons alwayes folowe me where so euer
that I goo. they leue me not, but cry wᵗ suche horryble voyces, yᵗ it
is grete payne for me to here them, [et] to beholde theyr lokynges.
[et] therfore yf ther be ony man yᵉ whiche that knoweth the cause of
theyr folowynge, [et] can shewe what they mene by theyr cryenge [et]
voyde theym fro me, wᵗout doubte I shall fulfyll this promyse yᵗ I
haue made. [et] as the kynge had thus sayd, there was none fou_n_de in
all the cou_n_seyll yᵗ wyst the cause or coude moue or put awaye the
rauons. Then sayd yᵉ chylde too the duke. My lorde thynke ye that the
kynge wyl holde his promyse or worde yf I accomplysshe his wyll and
desyre. Than yᵉ duke sayde I thynke he wyll holde yᵗ he hath promysed,
but wyl ye yᵗ I gyue the kynge knowledge of you what ye can do. Then
yᵉ chylde sayd, I wyl my lyfe set in pledge [et] I shall perfourme
[et] make it good yᵗ I haue sayd. Whan yᵉ duke herde that he went to
the kynge [et] sayd, My lorde the kyng, here is a yong ma_n_ that is
ryght connynge [et] wyse, the whiche promyseth for to satysfye [et]
fulfyl in al thy_n_ges your desyre as touchy_n_ge the rauons yf ye
wyll fulfyll that ye haue promysed. The kynge swore by the crowne of
his kyngdome, what I haue promysed in al thynges shalbe fulfylled. Tho
brought he yᵉ chylde before the kynge, and whan the kynge sawe hym he
spake to hym. O fayre chylde can ye gyue answere to my questyon. The
chylde sayd, my lorde ye in the best wyse, your questyon is wherfore
yᵗ the rauons folowe you [et] horrybly crye vpon you. To whiche I
answere. Upon a tyme it hapned that two rauons a male [et] a female
had brought forthe bytwene them the thyrde rauon. vpon the sayd se was
so grete famyne [et] scarsytee of all maner of thy_n_ges yᵗ men bestes
[et] foules dyed [et] perysshed for defaute. The thyrde rauon yᵗ tyme
beynge yonge in the nest the moder lefte it sekynge where she myght
best gete her lyuynge, [et] came no more to yᵉ neste. The male rauon
seynge that with grete penurye and laboure fed the yong rauon tyll
that he was able to flye and wha_n_ the dere tyde was passed and gone
then the female rauon came ayen too the yonge rauon and wolde holde
felysshyppe and company with hym. And as the male rauon sawe that, he
wolde haue dryuen her away, saynge thus, that she in his grete myscheyf
and necessyte lefte hym and his company, and therfore nowe she sholde
wante his company and felysshyppe. She alledged and sayd that she
had in his byrthe grete laboure and sorowe, and suffred penurye, and
therfore of his company she sholde rather joye than the fader. For this
my souerayne lorde they folowe you askynge the ryght jugement whiche
of them both shal haue the yonge rauon in theyr company, and this is
the cause of theyr horryble clamour and noyse that they make dayly
vpon you. But my lorde hadde ye hereupon a ryght wysse sentence gyuen
ye sholde neuer more see theym or be troubled wᵗ theyr cryenge. Tho
sayd the kynge, for the cause that the moder hath left [et] forsaken
the yonge rauen in his mooste necessyte, it standeth with reason [et]
iustyce yᵗ she shall wante [et] be without his felyshyp. And where
yᵗ she sayth [et] alledgethe yᵗ in the berynge [et] byrth of hym she
hadde greate payne and traueyle, that helpeth her not, for yᵗ payne was
torned in to joye as sone as she sawe the yonge rauen in the worlde.
But for yᵗ the male is yᵉ cause of produccyon [et] generacyon in euery
beste, [et] also yᵗ he the yong rauon in his necessyte sustayned [et]
fedde in to the recoueryng [et] nourysshynge of his body, therfore
I gyue for a iugement [et] for a sentence dyffinityue yᵗ the yonge
rauen shall abyde [et] holde company wᵗ the fader and not with the
moder. And whan the rauons herde this sentence, with a greate noyse
[et] crye they flewe vp in the ayre [et] were no more seen ne fou_n_de
in all that Regyon. Whanne that this was doone yᵉ kynge demaunded of
the yonge man what his name was. He answered I am called Alexander.
Tho sayd the kynge, I wyll haue one thynge of you, yᵗ ye frome hens
forth shal name [et] take me [et] none other for your fader but me,
for ye shall marye my doughter, and ye shall be possessour of all my
realme. The yonge Alexander abode and dwelled stylle with the kynge,
and euery man hadde too hym fauour and loue, for he began to haunt and
occupy hymselfe in iustes [et] in tourneys, wherin at all tymes he
had the pryse aboue all other yᵗ were in all Egypte, soo yᵗ his pere
or lyke was not founde, [et] there was not so harde nor so obscure a
questyon put vnto hym but yᵗ he coude assoyle it. At that tyme was
there an Emperoure named Tytus, that excelled in gentylnesse, curtesy
[et] curposyte [curiosity] of all other Emperours kynges and prynces
in yᵉ worlde. In so moche yᵗ suche a fame [et] noyse flewe [et] ranne
ouer all the worlde of it, yᵗ what so euer he was yᵗ wolde prouffyte
in connynge maners or behauynge, that he sholde go to the Emperours
courte. And whan Alexander herd that he sayd to the kynge my most
honourable fader [et] lorde ye wote well that al the worlde is full
of the fame of themperoure so yᵗ it is delectable to abide [et] dwel
in hys courte wherfore yf it please yow my lorde [et] fader I wolde
gladly go to hys court that I myght be wyser [et] prompter in maners
[et] behauy_n_ge than I am. Thereupon answered yᵉ kynge, It pleaseth
me ryght well, but I wolde that ye take with you plente of golde [et]
syluer [et] other necessaryes, so moche yᵗ ye myn honoure ther wᵗ may
saue, [et] yᵗ ye may haue also yᵗ is to you requysyte [et] behouefull.
And also me semeth it were expedyent yᵗ ye afore your departyng sholde
mary my doughter. Tho answerd Alexander wyll it please you my lorde
too spare me at this tyme [et] at my comynge home ayen I shall wedde
hir wᵗ all honoure as to her apperteyneth. The kynge answered, sythen
it is your wyll to go to themperours court I lycence you and therto I
consente. Alexander toke leue of the kynge, [et] toke with hym tresoure
ynoughe [et] went to themperours courte. And whan he was come with a
fayre companye, he wente afore the Emperoure [et] felle on his knees,
and salued hym [et] dyd hym reuerence. Themperoure rose frome his sete
imperyall and kyssed hym, [et] asked of hym of whens [et] what he
was, [et] wherfore he was comen. He answered and sayd I am sone [et]
heyre to the kynge of Egypte, [et] am come to do seruyce to your moost
hyghe maieste yf it please you to accepte me. Themperour sayd yᵗ he
was ryght welcome, [et] cōmytted hym to his stewarde and made hym his
keruer. The stewarde ordeyned hym a fayre chamber [et] purueyed hym
all thynges yᵗ were necessary to the same. And Alexander behaued hym
so well [et] wysely yᵗ in shorte tyme of all people he was beloued.
Not longe after that came yᵉ kynges sone of Fraunce to do seruyse to
themperoure [et] to lerne nurture, whome themperour receyued honourably
and demau_n_ded his name [et] of what kynred he was come. He answered
I am sone to the kynge of Frau_n_ce, [et] I haue to name Lodwyke your
seruau_n_te. Tho sayd the Emperoure I haue made Alexander my karuer,
[et] ye shall be my cuppe berer. yᵗ alwayes ye shall do seruyse
afore me at my table. [et] cōmau_n_ded his stewarde to assygne hym a
lodgynge, whome he assygned wᵗ Alexander in his chamber. These were soo
lyke in stature, in vysage, [et] in condycyons yᵗ vnneth yᵉ one myght
be dyscerned fro yᵉ other. but yᵗ Alexander was more in cōnyng [et]
lyghtlyer in his dedes than Lodwyke was, for Lodwyke was a femynyne
man [et] shamfast. [et] these two yong men loued well togyder. This
Emperoure had a doughter oonly, named Florentyne, yᵉ which was ryght
fayr [et] gracyous, [et] shold be his heyre whome he loued entyerly,
which had a courte by her selfe [et] seruau_n_tes to her assygned. To
whome yᵉ Emperour euery daye was accustomed to sende frome his table of
his deyntes, in tokenyng of loue by yᵉ hande of Alexander, wherupon yᵉ
doughter began to haue hym meruaylouslye in her fauoure bycause of his
wysdome [et] his gracyous demenure. It hapned vpon a day Alexander at
the mete tyme had suche a besynesse yᵗ he serued not at yᵉ table nor
none other gaue attendau_n_ce for hym in his rowme. Lodwyke perceyued
yᵗ [et] serued in his stede. And whan he had serued the Emperoure in
his last seruyce vpon his knee, yᵉ Emperoure cōmau_n_ded hy_m_ to bere
a dysshe vnto his doughter as he was wonte to do, thynkyng hym to be
Alexander. Tho toke Lodwyke yᵉ dysshe [et] yede to yᵉ palays of the
Emperours doughter [et] salued her wᵗ grete reuerence [et] set yᵉ mete
afore her. but vnto yᵗ tyme he had not seen her she perceyued anone
yᵗ it was not Alexander, [et] sayd to hym in this manere. What is
your name, [et] whose sone are ye. [et] he answered to hyr [et] sayd,
Madame I am yᵉ kynges sone of Frau_n_ce, [et] my name is Lodwyke. She
sayd I thanke you of your laboure. [et] he toke his leue [et] departed.
In yᵉ mene tyme came Alexander to yᵉ table, [et] they fulfylled ther
seruyce. The dyner done anone Lodwyke went to his bedde sore seke. And
Alexander apperceyuynge that went to his chamber [et] sayd to hym, O my
best beloued frende [et] felowe Lodwyke how is it with you, [et] what
is yᵉ cause of your infyrmite. He answered hym and sayd, yᵉ cause of
it I knowe not but I fele me soo seke yᵗ I fere me I can not escape yᵉ
dethe. Alexander sayd yᵉ cause of your infyrmyte and dysease I knowe
well. For to daye whan as ye bare the mete vnto the Emperours doughter,
ye behelde hyr vysage [et] beaute so feruently, yᵗ your herte is taken
[et] rauysshed wᵗ her loue. Therupon he answered, O Alexander all the
physysyans in the worlde coude not more truly iuge my sekenesse, but
I fere it shall be my dethe. Then sayd Alexander, Be of good comforth
and I shall helpe you vnto my power, [et] yede vnto the market [et]
bought wᵗ his owne moneye a fayre clothe sette with precyous stones,
vnknowynge to Lodwyke [et] presented it on his behalue vnto the mayden.
[et] as she sawe yᵗ she asked hym where he myght that costely [et]
precyouse cloth fynde to bye. [et] he sayd, Madame it is the sone of
yᵉ moost crysten kynge yᵗ sendeth it vnto you for youre loue, for he
but for one syght yᵗ he hathe had of you is so seke yᵗ he lyeth vpon
his bed vnto the dethe. [et] therfore yf ye suffre hym to perysshe ye
shall neuer recouer ayen your honoure. Tho sayd she, O Alexander wolde
ye this cou_n_seyll me yᵗ I shold soo lese my vyrgynyte. God defende
that. [et] be ye sure Alexander yᵗ of suche messages ye shall neuer
more haue ne wyn thanke. Therfore go ye out of my syght [et] speke no
more therof to me. whanne Alexander herde that he dyd his obeysaunce
and departed. yᵉ nexte daye Alexander went ayen to the cyte [et] bought
a chaplet that was two tymes more in value than yᵉ cloth, and therwith
he yede to yᵉ maydens chamber [et] yaue it to hyr on the behalue of
Lodwyke. And whan she sawe that costely gyfte she sayd vnto hym in this
manere. I marueyle of you yᵗ soo oftentymes as ye haue seen and spoken
with me, that ye haue not done your owne erande or spoken for your
selfe but for an other. Then he answered, O madame I haue not ben so
disposed, by cause that my byrthe is not to be compared with yours. And
also it happened me neuer suche a case that my herte was so wounded,
[et] he yᵗ hathe a gode felawe is bou_n_de for to doo hym good [et]
true felysshyp. And therfore moost eccellent pryncesse of youre moost
habundau_n_te pyte haue compassyon vpon hym [et] make hym hole that
ye haue se wou_n_ded vnto yᵉ deth that it be not for euer layde vnto
your crueltee [et] impyteouse herte. She answered hym, go your wayes
for at this tyme I wyll gyue you none answere therof. And as he herde
yᵗ he toke his leue [et] departed. And the thyrde daye he wente vnto
the market [et] boughte a gyrdell yᵗ thre tymes was more in value [et]
costelyer than the chaplet was, [et] presented it vnto her on the
behalue of Lodwyke. And whan she sawe [et] behelde yᵗ so precyouse, she
sayd vnto Alexander, Saye to Lodwyke yᵗ he come to my chamber aboute
yᵉ thyrde hour in yᵉ nyght, and he shall fynde yᵉ dore open. [et]
Alexander herynge that, he was glad, [et] went to his felow and sayd,
My beste beloued felowe be ye of gode comforth, for I haue conquered yᵉ
mayden vnto you, and in this nyght I shall brynge you vnto hyr chamber.
And whan yᵗ was sayd, he stert vp as thoughe that he hadde wakened
out of his slepe, [et] was well reuyued [et] for grete ioye he was
made all hole. And yᵉ next nyght folowynge Alexander toke Lodwyke [et]
brought hym vnto the chamber of yᵉ lady wᵗ whome he was in solace [et]
joye all the nyght, [et] fro yᵗ tyme forth all hyr herte was vpon hym
so yᵗ there was but one loue betwyxt them bothe. And after yᵗ Lodwyke
vsed her oftentymes to vysyte. So yᵗ it came by processe of tyme to
the eres of yᵉ knyghtes of ye courte, how yᵗ the Emperours doughter
was knowen by Lodwyke: [et] conspyred amonges them selfe how yᵗ they
myght hym therwith all fynde, [et] hym to take or sle. As Alexander had
knowlege therof, he armed hym to withstande them. And whan the knyghtes
vnderstode yᵗ they ferynge Alexander suffred his felowe to go in peas,
[et] Alexander many tymes put hym selfe in ieopardye for hym, he not
knowynge therof, but yᵉ mayde knewe it welle. In shorte tyme after yᵗ
there came letters to Alexander of the dethe of the kynge of Egypt yᵗ
he sholde hastely come and receyue his kyngdome with honour [et] joye,
and that shewed he anone too the mayden and to Lodwyke. and also of his
departynge, wherof they were sorowfull [et] heuy. he sayd also vnto yᵉ
emperour, My mooste redoubted lorde please it you for to vnderstande
that I haue receyued letters of the deth of my fader. Wherfore it
behoueth me to go [et] receyue yᵉ kyngdome, and that ye wyll lycence
me to depart, and for all benefetes to [me] done I offre my selfe [et]
all my godes, [et] rather then I sholde by my goynge awaye offende or
dysplese you my lorde I shall forsake all my realme [et] all yᵗ I haue
in yᵉ world, [et] abyde wᵗ you styll. Then sayd yᵉ Emperoure, knowe ye
for certayne yᵗ of your departynge I am ryght heuy for ye were vnto
me the beste seruau_n_t that was in all my house. But it becometh
not an Emperoure to lette his seruauntes frome ther promocyons, or
auau_n_cementes, but soner to promote theym vnto hygher [et] gretter
honoure. Therfore go ye vnto oure tresourer, [et] he shall delyuer
you as moche golde as ye wyll haue, [et] in yᵉ name of god [et] with
my blessynge go in to your cou_n_tre. and thus Alexander had leue of
yᵉ Emperoure [et] bad farewell, [et] many of yᵉ courte were sorowfull
of his departynge, for of all he was beloued. Lodwyke wᵗ the mayden
brought hym on his waye well seuen myle. After that Alexander wolde not
suffre theym for to go further. then fell they both to yᵉ grou_n_de for
grete sorow [et] Alexander toke [et] lyfte them bothe vp ayen from yᵉ
erthe, [et] comforted theym with fayre [et] swete wordes and sayd, O
Lodwyke my moost beloued felawe, I warne you yᵗ the secretes beynge
betwyxt you [et] my lady, ye hyde them [et] kepe them as preuely as ye
may [et] take good hede to all thynges, for I wote an other shall come
and be in my stede, that shall enuy you of the fauoure [et] grace, yᵗ
ye stande in wᵗ the Emperoure and daye [et] nyght shall lye in a wayte
to take you wᵗ a faute, [et] to put you to a rebuke. Then answered
Lodwyke [et] sayd, O Alexander I shall be ware as moche as to me is
possyble, but how shall I nowe do whan I wante your company, therfore
one thynge I shall desyre of you yᵗ ye wyl take this rynge of me for
a reme_m_brau_n_ce. Then sayd he I shall for the loue of you gladly
receyue yᵉ rynge, [et] yet sholde I neuer wᵗoute yᵉ rynge forgete you,
[et] comytted them too god. Then they embraced eche other aboute yᵉ
necke [et] kyssed, and so departed frome other. Not longe after yᵗ
the kynges sone of Spayne named Guydo was receyued of the Emperoure
in yᵉ rowme [et] place of Alexander, to whome the stewarde assygned
Alexander's place [et] chamber, whiche was sore ayenste yᵉ wyll of
Lodwyke, but he coude not amende it. Guydo perceyuynge yᵗ Lodwyke
ayenst his wyll had hym in his felysshyp, anone he toke [et] had enuye
ayenst hym so that Lodwyke of a longe tyme for fere of ye sayd Guydo
kepte hym out of yᵉ company of yᵉ sayd mayde. Neuerthelesse afterwarde
ouercomen with the loue of yᵉ mayden, somtyme hau_n_ted [et] wente ayen
to hyr as he afore tyme had done. Guydo shortly perceyuynge awayted
so longe therupon, yᵗ he the trouthe knewe, and was therof in surete
that the mayden was by Lodwyke knowen [et] hadde accompanyed with
hym. Uppon a tyme it happened yᵗ the Emperoure stode in hys halle [et]
praysed gretely Alexander of his gentylnes and wysedome. That herynge
Guydo sayde, My lorde he is not soo moche worthy to be cōmended as ye
wene for he hath ben a longe whyle a traytour in youre house. Thenne
themperoure sayd telle me how. Guydo sayd, ye haue but one doughter
oonly, yᵉ whiche shall be your heyre, and yᵗ Lodwyke hathe defouled
[et] lyen by hyr by the helpe of Alexander: [et] he gothe to hyr euery
nyght whan it pleaseth hym. and whan yᵉ Emperoure herde yᵗ he was sore
meuyd [et] wexed angry, [et] it happened Lodwyke vpon yᵉ same tyme to
come thrugh yᵉ hall and whan the Emperour sawe hym he sayd, what hear I
of ye thou euyll and vntrue body. Yf it be founde [et] proued true thou
shalt deye yᵉ moost shamefull dethe yᵗ cann be deuysed. Lodwyke sayd,
My lorde yᵉ emperoure what is yᵉ cause. Guydo answered, I saye [et]
depose here afore my lorde ayenst the yᵗ thou haste defouled his oonly
doughter. [et] euery nyght thou goost to hyr [et] doost fornycacyon wᵗ
her, and yᵗ in batayle I shall proue [et] make good vpon thy body wᵗ
my body. Thenne sayd Lodwyke I am innocente, [et] not defectyue in yᵉ
cryme, [et] falsely yᵘ puttest yᵗ and layest vpon me, [et] therupon I
holde yᵉ batayle, for I truste on god thy falshede shall come vpon thyn
owne hede. Then yᵉ Emperoure assygned theym the daye of batayle [et]
fyghtynge. That done Lodwyke went vnto yᵉ mayden [et] shewed to her yᵉ
cause [et] the daye of batayle by the Emperoure assygned and in what
maner Guydo hadde hym accused, and sayd to hyr, Nowe it behoueth me to
haue your cou_n_seyll, or els I muste deye for why as ye knowe it had
not aueyled me to haue a-yensayd the batayle wᵗout I wolde haue yelded
myselfe gylty. Guydo is stronge [et] hardy in armes that his lyke is
none but Alexander, [et] I am weyke [et] feble [et] therfore yf I holde
the batayle ayenst hym I am but a dede man, [et] so shall ye abyde
shamed [et] rebuked. Then sayd she, Do my cou_n_seyle in that, yᵗ yᵉ
mystrust youre selfe. Go hastely vnto my fader, [et] saye to hym that
ye haue receyued letters, wherby that ye are acertayned that yᵉ lorde
your fader is sore seke [et] lyeth vppon his dede bed [et] desyreth to
se you [et] speke wᵗ youre persone, [et] to dyspose his kyngdome [et]
his godes afore he departe out of this world, [et] desyre his lycence
for the loue of your fader yᵗ ye maye go [et] vysite hym. [et] yᵗ he
wyll proroge [et] lengthe the daye of bataylle whyles yᵗ ye maye go
[et] come. And whan ye haue obteyned his congye or lycence, as hastely
as ye may go secretely to the kynge Alexander, [et] whan ye are come
to hym take hym aparte [et] shewe hym yᵉ cause of youre comynge [et]
requyre hym in this youre vtter extremyte yᵗ he wylle vs helpe [et]
ayde. And whan yᵗ Lodwyke had herd this cou_n_seyll, it pleased hym
well [et] dyde hereafter. Hys leue goten [et] lenger daye or terme of
batayle prefyxed and assygned departed [et] toke his iourneye towardes
yᵉ realme of Egypte, [et] neuer letted daye nor nyght tyll he came
vnto kynge Alexander's castell. [et] whan yᵉ kynge Alexander hadde
vnderstondynge of his comynge he was moche glad [et] went to mete hym
[et] receyued him honourably, [et] had wonder of his comyn̄ge. Tho
sayd Lodwyke, O my dere lorde [et] my bestebyloued frende, my lyfe
[et] my dethe is in youre handes, for as ye sayd to me afore yᵗ I
sholde haue an other felowe yᵉ whiche sholde lye in a wayte to aspye
me [et] too destroye me / wᵗout I save ye more wysely to my selfe:
[et] as longe as I myght I absented me tyll yᵗ I coude no lenger. But
afterwarde yᵉ kynges sone of Spayne makynge watch soo longe on me tyll
that he perceyued yᵉ trouthe, [et] hathe accused me vnto yᵉ Emperoure,
so that frome this daye vnto yᵉ viii. daye hereafter prefyxed it
behoueth me to come [et] fyght wᵗ hym body ayenst body, and as ye knowe
well he is a stronge [et] an hardy man, and I am weyke [et] feble, [et]
therfore hath Florentyne cou_n_seyled me yᵗ I sholde not hyde this
my charge frome you for she knoweth you for a faythfull frende, [et]
that ye wolde not leue vs in this necessyte. Then sayd Alexander, is
there ony body yᵗ knoweth of your comyng vnto me for this mater more
than Florentyne. He answered hym [et] sayd no creature lyuynge, for I
toke leue of yᵉ Emperoure to go [et] vysite my fader lyenge greuously
seke. Then axed Alexander hym what cou_n_seyll hathe Florentyne gyuen
to you howe [et] in what wyse I myght helpe you. He sayd, O moost
constau_n_t [et] faythfull frende, in this wyse she hath cou_n_seylled
me, co_n_syderynge yᵗ we be lyke, yᵗ ye sholde come [et] do yᵉ batayle
wyth hym, no man shall knowe you but she, and the batayll done I shall
come ayen to yᵉ court [et] ye vnto youre cou_n_tree. Then he asked whan
yᵉ day sholde be of the batayle, and he sayd this daye, viii. dayes.
Thenne sayd Alexander, yf I sholde this daye tary then can I not come
to yᵗ daye prefyxed. Therfore se what I shall do. I haue boden all my
subgectes that tomorowe they sholde come [et] be at my weddynge [et]
brydale. and yf I sholde go than is yᵗ daye loste / and yf I go not
[et] do the batayle than Florentyne [et] ye are bothe vndone. what
thynke ye nowe beste for to doo. whan Lodwyke herde yᵗ he fell to the
erthe [et] began to syghe [et] sorowe oute of mesure, saynge, sorow
and heuynesse come to me on all sydes. Then sayd Alexander vnto hym,
be of good comforte for I shall not forsake you thus, thoughe that I
sholde lese my wyf [et] kyngdome but herken what that I haue thought in
so moche as we are bothe lyke: soo yᵗ the one of vs can not be knowen
frome yᵉ other but we be bothe togyder [et] I am not yet gretly knowen
here. but my barons [et] other folke shall take you for me. Therfore
here shall ye abyde [et] tary [et] mary my wyfe in my stede, [et]
holde yᵉ feest [et] brydale, [et] do in all thynges as though I were
there my selfe present, excepte whan as ye come to bedde wᵗ my wyfe
loke yᵗ ye be there true [et] faythfull: [et] I shall wᵗoute taryenge
go [et] take my horse [et] ryde theder as yᵉ batayle shall be, [et]
yf god gyue me the vyctorye yᵗ I may ouercome [et] vaynquysshe your
enemye, I shall come ayen secretlye, and ye shall go ageyne to youre
partyes and dwellynge playce. Thys done, Alexander badde Lodwyke fare
well, and toke his journeye towardes yᵉ Emperours courte, for to fyght
and to do the batayle with Guydo. [et] Lodwyke abode in Egypt in the
stede of kynge Alexander, and vpon the next mornynge came Lodwyke as
though it hadde be kynge Alexander. [et] solemply in yᵉ face of the
chirche maryed and spoused Alexander's wyfe, [et] helde yᵉ feest and
brydale wᵗ grete royalte of delycate, [et] precyous metes, plente of
all maner wynes, [et] dyuerse melodyes of instrumentes of musyke,
and he made greate joye [et] chere to all the noble men, [et] to all
other people yᵗ there was assembled. And whan yᵉ nyghte was come, he
wente to bedde with yᵉ quene, [et] layd betwyxt hym and her a naked
swerde, wherof she had greate wonder, but no thynge she sayd, and
also he laye wᵗ hir euery nyght as longe as Alexander was out. ¶ The
kynge Alexander at the daye yᵗ was prefixed [et] sette, came vnto yᵉ
Emperoure [et] sayd, O most drad souerayne lorde it is so yᵗ I haue
left my fader ryght seke. Neuerthelesse I am come for to defende myn
honoure [et] my forwarde to performe. The Emperoure sayd ye do ryght
well [et] accordynge to a noble man, [et] fortune shall fauoure you in
your iuste [et] ryght wysse quarell. And whan the Emperours doughter
vnderstode yᵗ Alexander was comen, anone she sent for him [et] whan
as he was come to hyr she embraced hym, [et] with ioye [et] gladnesse
she kyste hym, [et] blessed yᵉ tyme that she myght see hym ayen [et]
demau_n_ded hym where he that hadde lefte hyr frende and louer Lodwyke.
Then he shewed [et] declared vnto hyr all yᵉ processe [et] how he had
left hym kyng in his realme, [et] toke his leue at hyr, [et] wente in
to Lodwyke's chamber, [et] there was no creature yᵗ thought otherwyse
but it was lodwyke, oonly excepte Florentyne. The next daye folowynge
afore er Alexander went vnto yᵉ batayle he sayd vnto yᵉ Emperoure in
yᵉ presence of Guydo. My moost redoubted souerayne lord this Guydo
hath falsely [et] vntruely accused me vnto your noble grace, yᵗ I
sholde be of suche aqueyntau_n_ce wᵗ youre doughter yᵗ sholde be vnto
yᵉ dyshonoure of your moost noble persone [et] hyrs, [et] vnto yᵗ I
swere [et] afferme, by this holy euau_n_gelyes yᵗ she was neuer in
ony maner by me in suche wyse knowen as he hathe to you alledged [et]
enformed, [et] that this daye wᵗ the ayde [et] yᵉ helpe of god I shall
proue [et] make good vppon his body. Then sayd Guydo, yet ones I say
ayen [et] swere by yᵉ holy euaungelyes [et] by all yᵗ god hathe made
yᵗ thou hast hadde knowledge [et] hast defouled yᵉ Emperours doughter,
[et] yᵗ I shall make good vpon thy hede. where vpon they lepte vpon
theyr coursers, [et] fyersly ranne togyder wᵗ theyr speres yᵗ they
bothe brake [et] shyuered in peces, [et] theye drewe theyr swerdes
[et] faught longe togyder, tylle at yᵉ laste Alexander wᵗ grete myght
and strengthe at one stroke smote of Guydoes hede, and sent it vnto
yᵉ Emperour's doughter wherof she was ryght gladde, [et] bare it vnto
her fader [et] sayd, Fader beholde the hede of hym yᵗ you [et] me hath
falsely defamed. whan yᵗ the Emperoure perceyued yᵉ vyctory, anone he
sent for Alexander whom yᵗ he beleued hadde ben Lodwyke [et] sayd,
O Lodwyke this daye youre honoure [et] my doughters ye haue saued.
ye shall stande [et] be the more in my grace [et] fauour, [et] what
soeuer he be that hereafter more defame you he shall for euer stande
in my indygnacyon. Alexander answerd, god helpethe [et] saueth theym
yᵗ trusteth in hym, [et] alwayes wreketh yᵉ blode vndeffectyue or
innocent. But now my moost redoubted lorde of one thynge I requyre you,
at my departynge fro my fader I lefte hym sore seke yᵗ it wyll lyke
you for to lycence me to go [et] se how it standethe wᵗ hym, [et] yf
yᵗ it be ony thynge amended I shall incontynent come ayen. Then the
Emperour sayd, that pleaseth me well, but ye maye in no manere wyse
leue me for fro hensforth I can not be without your presence. Alexander
toke leue of yᵉ Emperoure and bad hym fare well, [et] rode ayen vnto
his realme whome whan Lodwyke sawe he made greate chere [et] gladnesse,
[et] ryghte frendlye receyued hym [et] sayd, O moste true frende of
all frendes, tell me howe ye haue done [et] spedd in your iourney [et]
nede, and what ende ye haue brought it to. Then sayd he, goo to yᵉ
Emperoure and serue hym as ye haue done tofore. I haue goten you more
grace and fauoure of hym than euer ye haue hadde afore tyme [et] I
haue also smyten of the hede of youre enmye and aduersarye. Then sayd
Lodwyke, ye haue not only at this tyme saued my lyfe, but many a tymes
here afore, yᵉ whiche as yet I can not deserue, but god rewarde you,
[et] so departed [et] wente ayen vnto the Emperoure, [et] there was no
man that knewe of the absence of Alexander saue oonly Lodwyke. And whan
as the nyght was come he wente to bedde with the quene, [et] anone he
hadde with hyr swete [et] frendly wordes [et] her embraced [et] kyst.
Tho sayd she, ye haue made this tyme all to longe, that ye haue not
shewed ony thyng of frendshyp or loue, how may this be. Thenne sayd
he, wherfore saye ye that. She sayd, euery nyght as I was in my bed ye
haue layde betwyxe you [et] me a naked swerde and ye haue neuer tasted
or torned you towardes me more than nowe. And whan the kynge herde yᵗ
he thought on yᵉ trouthe of hys felowe [et] sayd vnto hyr, O my moost
dere lady [et] quene, it was not do[ne] for none euyll wyll, but for a
gode probacōn [et] for a perpetuall loue. But she thought in her selfe
yᵗ loue shall ye neuer more haue of me, but yᵗ dyspyte she thought I
shall auenge vpon the. Tho was there a knyght yᵗ she afore had a lytell
loue and fauour vnto, [et] she began for to loue hym more [et] more,
so longe tyll at yᵉ laste they thoughte [et] ymagyned how they myght
destroye [et] sle yᵉ kyng, [et] therfor they gate poyson [et] poysoned
yᵉ kynge, soo yᵗ yf he had not ben ryght stronge of complexyon he had
deyed thereof but it wrought in hym so sore yᵗ it caused hym to be yᵉ
moost foule and horryble lepre or laser yᵗ euer was sene vpon erthe.
The lordes [et] noble men of his realme [et] the quene also seynge this
despysed hym [et] sayd, yᵗ it behoued not a lepre to regne vpon vs, for
he sholde not procure nor engendre ony fayre or clene heyres. And so
he was deposed of yᵉ dygnyte royall, [et] dryuen out of his realme. ¶
In the meane tyme deyed the Emperour of Rome, [et] Lodwyke wedded yᵉ
doughter [et] after that Lodwyke's fader deyed, so that Lodwyke reygned
bothe Emperoure [et] kynge of Fraunce at ones. Whan kynge Alexander
herde that he thought in hymselfe, nowe my felowe reygneth togyder
vpo_n_ thempyre [et] the realme of Frau_n_ce, to whome maye I better
goo than to hym for whome many tymes I haue aduentured my lyfe. and
vpon a nyght he rose vp [et] made hym redy [et] toke wᵗ hym hys staff
[et] claper, [et] yede towarde themperours courte. And whan he was come
nyghe to yᵉ yate, he set hym amonges other lasers abydynge yᵉ gyuynge
of yᵉ almesse. and on a season as yᵉ Emperoure went out of his palays,
all yᵉ pore lasers began to rynge theyr clapers, [et] yᵉ gode kynge
Alexander dyd lyke yᵉ other, but there was none almesse gyuen to them.
He taryed so longe vnto yᵉ tyme yᵗ themperour was set [et] serued at
yᵉ table. Tho went kynge Alexander vnto yᵉ yate [et] knocked therat,
[et] the porter asked who was there. Alexander answerd hy_m_ I am a
pore despysed man, but for yᵉ loue of god I require you yᵗ ye torne
not your syght fro my vysage, and yᵗ ye wyll for yᵉ rewarde of god do
my message vnto yᵉ Emperour. he asked what is yᵉ mater. Alexander sayd
go [et] tell hym here is a laser that ryght horryble is to see. The
whiche prayeth hym for the loue of god [et] kynge Alexander that he
wyll grau_n_te hy_m_ this daye to ete his almesse afore hym vpon the
erthe in his hall. The porter sayd I wonder that ye dare desyre that
of my lorde, for why all the hall is full of lordes [et] noble me_n_,
[et] yf they beholde you they sholde all abhorre [et] leue theyr mete.